Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1348314 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 608 pages

Customer Reviews

Heavy going, this one!
Unless you know the background to the events taking place at the court of Henry VIII at this time, there's not much point in picking this one up until you've done your homework! It's a thorough study of what influenced and motivated the 6 prominent Thomases at the court of the 'Lion', and as such is a detailed masterpiece, but Wilson assumes his readers know already the historical background to Henry's turbulent love-life and what prompted the initial break with the Pope, and subsequently the Catholic Church as a whole. The most interesting character-analysis was for me that of the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Howard, of whom I knew virtually nothing apart from the famous Holbein portrait. For those with a lively interest in the political intrigues of the time, this is a great read, but it's not the one for you if this is your first look at the early Tudor period. I would go first for Alison Weir or David Starkey first, for a chronology of the reign, and then perhaps move onto Wilson for an in-depth study.

A FRESH APPROACH.......
I recently read Alison Weir's, "Henry VIII: The King And His Court" and it was interesting to read Derek Wilson's book covering Henry's reign, but looked at from a different perspective. Ms. Weir concentrated more on people and personalities, especially Henry's wives. Mr. Wilson chose to concentrate more on politics and religion. Both books are rewarding and since the approaches taken by each author are different you get a fuller picture of the times by reading both.

I suppose the main thought you are left with after reading Mr. Wilson's book is what a precarious existence anyone connected with Henry's court led! We are not just talking about his wives but anyone involved in the political or religious life of the court. As Henry got older and his once robust health began to deteriorate he became very moody and unpredictable. Both Wilson and Weir make the point that Henry was very athletic up until he was about 40 years old or so. He was a very vain man and could not accept his physical decline. He was also used to getting his way and couldn't tolerate it when his desires and wishes were thwarted. He could be genial one moment and lash out verbally or physically the next. He could be ruthless if he felt that you couldn't give him what he wanted. In that case you were disposable- as several wives found out, as well as people such as Thomas Wolsey and Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell. You come away wondering why anyone would marry this man or choose to work for him. It was like being next to a ticking timebomb.........

One example will suffice to show that there were seemingly no limits to Henry's ruthlessness. When he was intent on having his son as his heir he wanted his daughter Mary (by Catherine of Aragon) to assure him that she would not "give any trouble" about the succession. He sent over Thomas Cromwell and the Duke of Norfolk to play "good cop, bad cop". Cromwell was the "good cop" and when it became clear that his approach wasn't doing the trick, Norfolk screamed violently at her and told her that if "she were his daughter he would smash her head against the wall until it was as soft as a boiled apple."

Violent times they were, and filled with violent people. Henry, without flinching, would allow the burning of "heretics", including digging up someone found after death to have been a "heretic" and having the corpse burned. You could be sent to the Tower of London at the drop of a hat, and be in constant fear that it was not only your hat that might drop off....

Try both of these books, as they complement each other nicely and are in no way redundant. I don't think you will be disappointed!

A Tudor Tapestry
I would not usually direct myself to this type of read. However, I am willing to divert my attention to other subjects from time to time and can say that on this ocassion I was correct to do so.

Derek Wilson describes the mechanisms by which the court of Henry VIII operated in such an illustrative way that you can almost touch the characters in his pages.

This book is a beautifully woven tapestry of political intrigue and posturing, murder, marriage, death and wickedness.

Wilson describes the workings of the court through the lives of the six Thomas's. All of whom attended Henry's Court and all prominent players.

If you want to develop your knowledge on the reign of Henry VIII, the working of his court and the inter-play between holders of high office and their King you could do worse than read this book.

You do not need to be a student of Tudor history to enjoy this volume. If this is not your normal type of read I would say give it go. Try it and you will find yourself immersed in a superb story, unable to put it down.

As a factual historical account of Henry's Court, this book will grip you. Do not be fooled into believing that this is just another boring book on a former King of England. The truth can sometimes be as exciting as any work of dramatic fiction and no English King more exciting than the 'Lion King' Henry. Read it and you will see.