The Spanish Bridegroom Author:Jean Plaidy Set against the glittering courts of sixteenth-century Europe, the Spain of the dreaded Inquisition, and the tortured England of Bloody Mary, this powerful novel traces the story of Philip II--and of the women who came to know this man whom history lists as a cold-blooded monster only as a devoted father and sensual lover. — In the Spanish Brideg... more »room, Jean Plaidy presents a fascinating portrait of Philip as a child robbed of childhood, then as bridegroom, husband, and father. There was first the romantic union with child-like Maria Manoela, which brought him tragedy and a troublesome son. Don Carlos, to be the cause of perpetual anxiety, culminating in horror. Then followed marriage with Mary Tudor, jealously possessive, who prepared so pathetically for a nonexistent child. And finally marriage again, to a bride Philip stole from his unbalanced son, sowing the seeds of murder. Yet dominating all of the other characters in the book is that strange man, most powerful of kings, fanatic, murdered, husband, father, lover-Philip, the Spanish Bridegroom.« less