If you’re a fan of historical fiction, chances are you’ve heard of Philippa Gregory, the queen of immersive, richly detailed novels that bring history to life. Her books, filled with royal intrigue, romance, and political drama, have captivated readers worldwide. But with her extensive bibliography, it can be tricky to know where to start or in what order to read her works. This guide provides a complete, SEO-friendly rundown of Philippa Gregory’s books in order, including her series and standalone novels, to help you dive into her world of historical storytelling.
Whether you’re new to her novels or a longtime fan looking to revisit her works, this post will help you navigate her bibliography with ease. Let’s explore the best way to read Philippa Gregory’s books, organized by series and publication order, with tips on where to begin.
Why Read Philippa Gregory’s Books?
Philippa Gregory is renowned for her meticulous research and ability to weave historical facts with compelling fictional narratives. Her novels often focus on the lives of women in history, offering fresh perspectives on figures like Anne Boleyn, Mary Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth I. Her most famous series, The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels (formerly known as The Cousins’ War and Tudor Court series), has inspired TV shows and films like The White Queen and The Other Boleyn Girl.
Reading her books in order can enhance your experience, as many of her novels build on historical events and character arcs that span multiple books. Below, we’ve organized her works by series and provided a chronological publication list for standalone novels.
Philippa Gregory Books: Complete List by Series in Table Format
Below is a comprehensive list of all Philippa Gregory books, organized by series and presented in table format. The books are listed in the recommended reading order (historical chronological order for The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, and publication order for other series), along with their publication years for clarity. Standalone novels and non-fiction works are also included.
| Series | Book Title | Publication Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels | The Lady of the Rivers | 2011 | Follows Jacquetta of Luxembourg during the Wars of the Roses. |
| The White Queen | 2009 | Centers on Elizabeth Woodville, a commoner turned queen. | |
| The Red Queen | 2010 | Focuses on Margaret Beaufort’s ambition for her son, Henry VII. | |
| The Kingmaker’s Daughter | 2012 | Tells the story of Anne Neville, daughter of the Earl of Warwick. | |
| The White Princess | 2013 | Chronicles Elizabeth of York’s marriage to Henry VII. | |
| The Constant Princess | 2005 | Explores Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife. | |
| The King’s Curse | 2014 | Follows Margaret Pole in the dangerous Tudor court. | |
| Three Sisters, Three Queens | 2016 | Focuses on Margaret Tudor, Mary Tudor, and Catherine of Aragon. | |
| The Other Boleyn Girl | 2001 | Depicts Mary and Anne Boleyn’s rivalry for Henry VIII. | |
| The Boleyn Inheritance | 2006 | Centers on Anne of Cleves, Jane Rochford, and Katherine Howard. | |
| The Taming of the Queen | 2015 | Chronicles Kateryn Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth wife. | |
| The Queen’s Fool | 2003 | Follows Hannah Green, a fictional Jewish girl in the Tudor courts. | |
| The Virgin’s Lover | 2004 | Explores Elizabeth I’s relationship with Robert Dudley. | |
| The Last Tudor | 2017 | Tells the story of the Grey sisters—Jane, Katherine, and Mary. | |
| The Other Queen | 2008 | Centers on Mary, Queen of Scots, during her imprisonment. | |
| The Order of Darkness Series | Changeling | 2012 | Follows Luca Vero investigating mysteries in Renaissance Europe. |
| Stormbringers | 2013 | Continues Luca’s adventures with supernatural elements. | |
| Fool’s Gold | 2014 | Luca faces new challenges in a world of intrigue. | |
| Dark Tracks | 2018 | Concludes the series with Luca’s final investigations. | |
| The Wideacre Trilogy | Wideacre | 1987 | Follows Beatrice Lacey’s ambition in 18th-century England. |
| The Favored Child | 1989 | Continues with Beatrice’s daughter, Julia Lacey. | |
| Meridon | 1990 | Concludes with Meridon, seeking her place in the world. | |
| The Tradescant Series | Earthly Joys | 1998 | Follows John Tradescant, a gardener in 17th-century England. |
| Virgin Earth | 1999 | Continues with John Tradescant the Younger in colonial America. | |
| The Fairmile Series | Tidelands | 2019 | Follows Alinor, a midwife, during the English Civil War. |
| Dark Tides | 2020 | Continues Alinor’s family story in London and New England. | |
| Dawnlands | 2022 | Follows the next generation during political upheaval. | |
| Standalone Novels | The Wise Woman | 1992 | A tale of witchcraft and ambition in 16th-century England. |
| Fallen Skies | 1994 | A post-World War I story of love and loss. | |
| A Respectable Trade | 1995 | Explores the Bristol slave trade in the 18th century. | |
| The Little House | 1997 | A contemporary novel about family secrets. | |
| Zelda’s Cut | 2000 | A modern story of identity and deception. | |
| Non-Fiction | The Women of the Cousins’ War | 2011 | Historical study of Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, and Jacquetta of Luxembourg (co-authored). |
Notes:
- The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels are listed in historical chronological order for the best narrative flow, as recommended by Philippa Gregory. Alternatively, you can read them in publication order, starting with The Other Boleyn Girl (2001).
- All other series are listed in publication order, which aligns with their narrative progression.
- This table includes all known fiction and non-fiction works by Philippa Gregory as of September 2025.
For an immersive experience, consider starting with The Other Boleyn Girl for Tudor fans or The White Queen for Wars of the Roses enthusiasts. Happy reading!
Philippa Gregory’s Books by Series
Philippa Gregory’s novels are best known for their series, which are typically grouped by historical period. Here’s a breakdown of her major series and the recommended reading order for each.
The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels (The Cousins’ War and Tudor Court)
This series, set during the Wars of the Roses and the Tudor era, is Philippa Gregory’s most popular. It explores the power struggles, betrayals, and romances of England’s royal families. For the best experience, read these books in historical chronological order (as recommended by the author), though publication order is also noted below.
Historical Chronological Order:
- The Lady of the Rivers (2011) – Follows Jacquetta of Luxembourg, mother of Elizabeth Woodville, during the early Wars of the Roses.
- The White Queen (2009) – Centers on Elizabeth Woodville, the commoner who became queen during the Wars of the Roses.
- The Red Queen (2010) – Focuses on Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII, and her relentless ambition.
- The Kingmaker’s Daughter (2012) – Tells the story of Anne Neville, daughter of the powerful Earl of Warwick.
- The White Princess (2013) – Chronicles Elizabeth of York, daughter of Elizabeth Woodville, and her marriage to Henry VII.
- The Constant Princess (2005) – Explores the life of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife.
- The King’s Curse (2014) – Follows Margaret Pole, a Plantagenet heiress navigating the dangerous Tudor court.
- Three Sisters, Three Queens (2016) – Focuses on Margaret Tudor, Mary Tudor, and Catherine of Aragon, three women bound by marriage and rivalry.
- The Other Boleyn Girl (2001) – The iconic novel about Mary and Anne Boleyn’s rivalry for Henry VIII’s affection.
- The Boleyn Inheritance (2006) – Centers on Anne of Cleves, Jane Rochford, and Katherine Howard during Henry VIII’s later years.
- The Taming of the Queen (2015) – Chronicles Kateryn Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth and final wife.
- The Queen’s Fool (2003) – Follows Hannah Green, a fictional Jewish girl serving as a fool in the courts of Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I.
- The Virgin’s Lover (2004) – Explores Elizabeth I’s relationship with Robert Dudley and the political intrigue of her early reign.
- The Last Tudor (2017) – Tells the story of the Grey sisters—Jane, Katherine, and Mary—and their tragic fates under Tudor rule.
- The Other Queen (2008) – Centers on Mary, Queen of Scots, during her imprisonment in England.
Note: If you prefer publication order, start with The Other Boleyn Girl (2001) and follow the publication years listed above.
The Order of Darkness Series
This young adult series, set during the Renaissance, blends historical fiction with mystery and supernatural elements. It follows Luca Vero, a young inquisitor, as he investigates strange phenomena across Europe.
- Changeling (2012)
- Stormbringers (2013)
- Fool’s Gold (2014)
- Dark Tracks (2018)
The Wideacre Trilogy
Set in 18th-century England, this series follows the ambitious Beatrice Lacey and her descendants as they navigate love, power, and betrayal on their family estate.
- Wideacre (1987)
- The Favored Child (1989)
- Meridon (1990)
The Tradescant Series
This duology, inspired by the real-life Tradescant family of gardeners, explores 17th-century England and early colonial America.
- Earthly Joys (1998)
- Virgin Earth (1999)
The Fairmile Series
Set in the 17th century, this series follows Alinor, a midwife, and her family as they navigate love, poverty, and societal upheaval during the English Civil War and beyond.
- Tidelands (2019)
- Dark Tides (2020)
- Dawnlands (2022)
Standalone Novels by Philippa Gregory
In addition to her series, Philippa Gregory has written several standalone novels, spanning various historical periods. Here they are in publication order:
- The Wise Woman (1992) – A dark tale of witchcraft and ambition in 16th-century England.
- Fallen Skies (1994) – A post-World War I story of love and loss.
- A Respectable Trade (1995) – Explores the Bristol slave trade in the 18th century.
- The Little House (1997) – A contemporary novel about family secrets and psychological drama.
- Zelda’s Cut (2000) – A modern story of identity and deception.
Non-Fiction by Philippa Gregory
Philippa Gregory has also co-authored non-fiction works that delve into the historical periods she fictionalizes:
- The Women of the Cousins’ War (2011) – A historical study of Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, and Jacquetta of Luxembourg (co-authored with David Baldwin and Michael Jones).
Where to Start with Philippa Gregory’s Books
If you’re new to Philippa Gregory, here are a few recommendations based on your interests:
- For Tudor fans: Start with The Other Boleyn Girl for its gripping drama and accessible storytelling.
- For Wars of the Roses enthusiasts: Begin with The White Queen to dive into the Cousins’ War saga.
- For young adult readers: Try Changeling from the Order of Darkness series for a mix of history and mystery.
- For standalone readers: A Respectable Trade offers a powerful, self-contained story about a lesser-known historical period.
Tips for Reading Philippa Gregory’s Books
- Follow historical order for series: The Plantagenet and Tudor novels are best read in historical chronological order to follow the timeline of events.
- Check for adaptations: Many of Gregory’s novels, like The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen, have been adapted into films or TV series, which can complement your reading experience.
- Explore her research: Gregory’s novels are grounded in extensive historical research, so consider reading The Women of the Cousins’ War for deeper context.
- Join a book club: Discussing her novels with others can enhance your appreciation of her complex characters and intricate plots.
Why Philippa Gregory’s Books Are Timeless
Philippa Gregory’s ability to humanize historical figures, particularly women, makes her books resonate with modern readers. Her stories blend romance, drama, and political intrigue with meticulous historical detail, offering a window into the past that feels vivid and relatable. Whether you’re drawn to the scheming courts of the Tudors or the rugged landscapes of the Fairmile series, there’s a Philippa Gregory book for every historical fiction lover.
Conclusion
With this guide, you’re ready to explore Philippa Gregory’s books in order, whether you choose to follow a series or dive into her standalone novels. Her captivating storytelling and rich historical settings make her works a must-read for fans of the genre. Start with The Other Boleyn Girl or The White Queen for an unforgettable journey into the past, and let us know in the comments which Philippa Gregory novel is your favorite!
Looking for more historical fiction recommendations? Check out our other posts on authors like Hilary Mantel and Alison Weir for more royal drama and intrigue!
