Home of Charity Bishop, Author & Storyteller.
Episode 2 of The Spanish Princess, titled “Fever Dream,” blends real Tudor tragedy with fanciful fiction, from invented feuds and plague masks to an implausible speech about Islamic tolerance. Join me as I unpack what’s true, what’s not, and why Catherine of Aragon’s legacy deserves better.
In Episode 3 of The Spanish Princess, “An Audacious Plan,” Catherine takes her fate into her own hands... at least on screen. But how much of what we see is rooted in Tudor reality? From donkey rides and dynastic trauma to funeral myths and manipulated virginity vows, I separate historical fact from dramatic fiction in this detailed breakdown.
In Episode 4 of The Spanish Princess, titled “The Battle for Harry,” political intrigue deepens as Catherine focuses on Prince Henry amidst court tensions. This episode finally gives Margaret Beaufort her due as a powerful and devout matriarch, while blending historical facts with dramatic liberties. From Henry VII’s profound grief and Margaret Tudor’s departure to misconceptions about dowries, residences, and royal protocols, I break down what really happened behind the Tudor court’s closed doors.
In Episode 5 of The Spanish Princess, titled “Heart vs. Duty,” Catherine of Aragon’s persistence pays off as she secures her marriage to Prince Henry. But beneath the drama, the series struggles with historical accuracy, particularly in its portrayal of Henry VII as a weak father and Margaret Beaufort’s inconsistent morality. This review explores the real Tudor family dynamics, the Catholic Church’s influence on pregnancy and abortion, and the political realities shaping these key figures.
In Episode 6 of The Spanish Princess, titled “A Polite Kidnapping,” court intrigue deepens as Catherine’s enemies plot against her and familial tensions boil over. However, the series continues to take liberties, portraying Henry VIII as a rebellious teen, dramatizing Henry VII’s temper, and misrepresenting Juana and Isabella of Castile with sensationalist cruelty. This review separates fact from fiction, revealing the real Tudor discipline, the dignified stature of Juana, and the formidable leadership of Isabella I.
Episode 7 of The Spanish Princess “All Is Lost” shows Catherine confronting political betrayal and personal isolation, but the drama stumbles with inaccuracies. Catherine’s deep knowledge of monarchy is dismissed through condescending dialogue, Tudor court protocols get mangled, and the complex realities of religion, race, and gender in the period go unexplored. This review highlights Catherine’s true strength and the era’s social dynamics that the show overlooks.
In Episode 8 of The Spanish Princess, titled “Destiny,” Catherine of Aragon’s persistence pays off with her rise to become Prince Henry’s wife. But the show’s portrayal of Margaret Beaufort as a scheming murderer, Henry VII’s death as humiliating, and Tudor political machinations fall far from historical truth. This review honors the real lives behind the drama and separates fact from fiction in the Tudor court.
