"Wow, these 3 famous historians, who are the gold standard of historical fact, where very harsh with The Tudors. Anyone who watches the show, and has done any reading, particularly their books, knows that Hirst did a lot of embellishment. But it was never intended to be a history lecture.
I think the show has raised awareness for Tudor history, and invigorated the spotlight on this period of history. Being American, I feel we never really learn any of this in high school, as the British do.
Michael Hirst has created a show that is a feast for the eyes. The music costumes, and "sexed up" version is divine. I think the acting and production is magnificent, and I am amazed how much scrutiny it has received. I think the proof of this is that all three of these historians have probably had a big increase in their book sales! I know I purchased books and cds, from all of them, in fact many books.
Wow, they really were harsh. Especially Starkey, but he's a man. I do
think that most of us here on the wiki are women, and we like some romance with our history."

"I think Starkey is as far away from being an unbiased judge as you can get. Starkey and Hirst apparently have had some sort of personal feud going on for some years now. I'm not surprised he would use the chance to rip anything of Hirst's to pieces, no matter what!
"

"John Guy has been writing tudor history books for 30 years...you can find a list of his books at his website here: http://www.johnguy.co.uk/books-john-guy.php - Well worth reading! He is also the husband of Julia Fox who wrote the new book on Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford.

I agree with you about Alison Weir...I think it is hard for her to be objective because she is such a great storyteller. Instead of speculating about things as a pure historian, she makes emphatic statements that things happened this way or that ...or that someone's personality is this or that..."

"I respect your viewpoint if your a historian, but The Tudors is a soap opera not a documentary. However as I said, it has risen awareness of the Tudor period to a height that has led people to seek out books and artifacts from this time period, and scrutinize them. I read 30 books I would never have known about, and saw many documentaries which were non fiction. But I love the production od the Tudors as a body of art and great theater."

"I think you're all right. Starkey is a stuffy bore. A great historian, but not a guy who can appreciate an artistic production like Hirst's The Tudors. He made a fortune from it. What a party pooper. But then he's not a fan of women, you know what I mean. Or maybe you don't. John Guy's criticism was much more gentlemanly, and credible. Alison Weir is a very strict historian, who wrotes both fiction, and non fiction, In that fact I agree she's a great storyteller, but I just read her new book on Katherine Swynford, Mistress of Monarchy, and I must admit her bibliography alone was exhausting. She is every bit a disciplined historian, as well as a novelist. She is bilingual as far as history is concerned, But then she is a women, so she a multi tasker. John guy is cool. I wonder what Eric Ives thinks. I'm pleased this thread involved Ms. Squirrly and Semper. I'm honored, especially as they seem to agree with me! I have read all these authors, a Starkey wishes he had an ounce of talent compared to Michael Hirst.
I still think the series is a work of art, and has raised a huge audience around the world, who are fascinated to one of the most famous stories ever told. He's like Shakespeare.He embellished his plays for the wow factor, but he is still the greatest story teller of all times.
I love the Tudors, and of course it's a huge production, not like it was then. But then, I am an educated person, who can recognize art from bare facts, thanks to the people here."