The Crimson Crown

A masterclass in Tudor intrigue, The Crimson Crown brings to life the perilous world of Henry VII’s court, blending historical accuracy with a timeless story of loyalty, identity, and ambition. Readers are transported to a kingdom where every secret could ignite a war—or topple a dynasty. He was the King’s weapon of seduction. She was the one woman he could not betray. Lucas Lovat returns to England as King Henry VII's reluctant agent, tasked with exposing the pretender Perkin Warbeck—a man who claims to be the lost Prince Richard, rightful heir to the throne. But Lucas harbors a dangerous secret: he is Edward Plantagenet, the true Prince of Wales, hidden in exile since childhood. As he navigates the treacherous Tudor court, Lucas finds himself torn between duty to the crown and a desperate hope that Warbeck might be his long-lost brother. Caught between loyalty and identity, he must decide whether to serve the king who controls his fate or risk everything for a truth that could shatter England. Can Lucas uncover the truth about Perkin Warbeck before the executioner's blade falls? Will his love for Megan Baswell, a lady-in-waiting caught in the king's web, offer redemption—or seal their doom? And when the final reckoning comes, will he choose the crown he was born to claim or the life he longs to live? The Crimson Crown is a masterful tale of palace intrigue, forbidden romance, and the brutal cost of power. Edith Layton's story explores the Wars of the Roses' lingering wounds, the fragile legitimacy of Henry VII's reign, and the personal sacrifices demanded by survival in a world ruled by suspicion and betrayal. With vivid historical detail and deeply human characters, this novel captures the essence of Tudor court intrigue and the timeless struggle between ambition and love. Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory's The White Queen and Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour, readers who enjoyed Alison Weir's historical fiction will be captivated by this gripping tale of star-crossed lovers, secret identities, and the relentless pursuit of power in late 15th century England.