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Thomas Cromwell: The Rise And Fall Of Henry VIII's Most Notorious Minister

Thomas Cromwell: The Rise And Fall Of Henry VIII's Most Notorious Minister

by RobertHutchinson (Author)

  • Used

    Hardcover 2007

    $8.58
Synopsis

Robert Hutchinson investigates the rise and fall of Henry VIII's most notorious minister. The son of a brewer, Cromwell rose from obscurity to become 'Earl of Essex, Vice-Regent and High Chamberlain of England, Keep of the Privy Seal and Chancellor of the Exchequer'. He manoeuvred his way to the top by intrigue, bribery and sheer force of personality in a court dominated by the malevolent King Henry. Cromwell pursued the interests of the king with single-minded energy and no little subtlety. Tasked with engineering the judicial murder of Anne Boleyn when she had worn out her welcome in the royal chamber, he tortured her servants and relations, then organized a 'show trial' of Stalinist efficiency. He orchestrated the 'greatest act of privatisation in English history': the seizure of the monasteries. Their enormous wealth was used to cement the loyalty of the English nobility, and to enrich the crown. Cromwell made himself a fortune too, soliciting collosal bribes and binding the noble families to him with easy loans. He came home from court literally weighed down with gold. The story of his rise and fall is colourful narrative history at its best. Rich in incident and squalid detail, this will increase the author's reputation as a first class popular historian.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
 Pages: 368
 Edition: First Edition
 Publisher: Orion
Published: 15 Feb 2007
ISBN 10: 0297846426
ISBN 13: 9780297846420
Book Overview: Robert Hutchinson has established himself as a great popular historian Reviews for LAST DAYS OF HENRY VIII: 'Hutchinson's narrative, level-headed and carefully researched, is the more enjoyable for being so consistently unedifying' - THE SPECTATOR 'Hutchinson brilliantly conveys the atmosphere of terror...a gripping narrative' -- Frank McLynn in the DAILY EXPRESS ELIZABETH'S SPY MASTER: 'a compelling study' -- Allan Massie 'Combines expert knowledge with an impressive narrative suspense and a mordant sense of humour' -- WATERSTONE'S BOOK QUARTERLY Thomas Cromwell (distant ancestor of Oliver) is a third 'terrible Tudor' and Hutchinson tells the story with grisly relish

Media Reviews
'gripping... Hutchinson tells his story with infectious relish and vividly evokes the politics and personalities of this extraordinary decade.' -- Anne Somerset LITERARY REVIEW 'Hutchinson tell's the horrible story admirably and compellingly, acknowledging Cromwell's rare abilities, while making no excuses for his character... ' -- Allan Massie THE OBSERVER 'a rollicking good read' -- Harry Reid THE HERALD 'vigorous, pacey and focused... an effective portrait of Henry VIII's most notorious minister ' BBC HISTORY
Author Bio
Robert Hutchinson was defence correspondent for the Press Association 1976-83 before moving to Jane's Information Group to launch JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY. He is a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a contributing author to THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE REFORMATION.