Owen
By Tony Riches
Can a servant marry a queen?
1422: Owen Tudor, a Welsh servant, falls in love with the Queen of England.
The beautiful Catherine of Valois, widow of the warrior king, Henry V, is lonely.... and her son, the future King Henry VI, shows signs of the family madness.
As the country simmers on the brink of civil war, will Owen risk everything to protect her?
Discover how they change British history – and establish a dynasty...
The Tudors.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cover Art: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tony Riches brings to life the largely overlooked but pivotal figure of Owen Tudor, painting him not as a footnote in history, but as a compelling, complex man. Set in 1422, Owen begins his journey as a Welsh servant in the household of the dowager Queen Catherine of Valois. His position may seem modest, but Riches gives him depth — he’s loyal, ambitious, and haunted by both his heritage and the violent times he lives in.
What truly elevates Owen is the emotional and political tension that underpins his secret romance with Catherine. Their love story is rendered with sincerity and restraint, built on mutual respect rather than mere passion.
Riches also delves into the broader historical backdrop — the looming Wars of the Roses, power struggles, and Tudor lineage — giving weight to Owen’s actions and legacy.
Riches writes in the first person, present tense, which gives the narrative a very immediate, intimate feel.
That choice means readers get a strong sense of Owen’s internal life: his hopes, fears, and conflicts. Several reviewers praised this for making Owen feel real, though some found the present-tense narration jarring.
In terms of historical fiction, Owen strikes a good balance between fact and fiction. The book is well-researched (even though historical records about Owen Tudor are scarce) and Riches weaves in fictional characters and events with skill.
The result is epic: a story that is both a romance and a political drama, and one that honors Owen’s role in founding the Tudor dynasty.
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