Overview
In this “immersive tale of Tudor intrigue” (Publishers Weekly), the New York Times bestselling author of The Last White Rose explores the rise of Thomas Wolsey, who was Henry VIII’s chief adviser—until the king accused him of treason.
“Henry VIII’s beloved cardinal leaps from the page in all his brilliance, complexity, and humanity. Fans of Wolf Hall have a treat in store.”—Tracy Borman, author of Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I
Cardinal Thomas Wolsey enjoyed one of the most meteoric careers in history. His rise from humble beginnings coincided with young Henry VIII’s ascension to the throne in 1509. The two grew to be cherished friends, and by 1515 Wolsey, now a cardinal, had become the controlling figure in all matters of church and state.
Wolsey operated on an international stage and worked hard to broker universal peace. All was going dazzlingly well until Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn—the woman whom Wolsey would one day call “the night crow”—and sought to end his marriage to his first wife, Katherine of Aragon. Swept up in the maelstrom of “the Divorce,” Wolsey, who had successfully given his master everything he wanted, found himself in an impossible situation. As he drew the ire of the future queen, the cardinal found his privileged life and his relationship with Henry crumbling around him.
Alison Weir’s poignant novel tells the story of Wolsey the man—his incredible rise to power and his tragic fall. She delves beyond the splendor and political machinations of the Tudor court to reveal the secrets of Wolsey’s private life, the mistress and children he was devoted to, and the tragedy that overtook them. It is a tale of two women, one who loved him and one who hated him—and also a tale of two men, king and commoner, the special, deep-rooted bonds that brought them together and the forces that drove them
Review
This time period is one of my favorites! I love the drama of King Henry VIII’s court. So, I jumped at the chance to read this one!
No one can take you down a historical path quite like Alison Weir. This book, as with all her books, has exceptional research. She brings Cardinal Wolsey to life with rich detail.
Cardinal Wolsey did not really take the vow of chastity to heart. He had a mistress and several children. But, he could not have been a better friend to King Henry VIII. He was also all about power and wealth. And then he made a mistake. A mistake that came back to haunt him years later. And it was his downfall.
The narrator, Rosalyn Landor, took a while for me to like. She started out a bit overly dramatic. But, that settled in for me and I enjoyed her more as the story went along.
Need a story about politics, power and the church…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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