‘Divorced , beheaded , died survived‘
Alison Weir’s latest book about the Tudors is thick (over six hundred pages) enthralling and vibrantly written with massive detail. The amount of research Weir must have done is incredible. It begins with a Prologue of Henry’s death and then follows his life chronologically. It is divided into parts of the four seasons and thirty eight chapters. Weir also specifies the year throughout. At the back is a family tree of the Tudors in 1547.There is an Author’s Note, a long list of Dramatis Personae, a timeline and a set of reading group questions. Weir brings Henry VIII (1491-1547) vividly to life delving into his character and captures magnificently the character of his wives and the Court .Power and politics play a great part as does the split from Rome and the establishment of the Anglican Church.
Having written about each of his six wives, this book is told from Henry’s point of view, and how he had to juggle politics and his love life. We see how the early childhood trauma of losing his beloved mother, affected him and how his father was always critical of him. Alison Weir terrifically brings to life the complex multifaceted King.
It was not planned that he would be king – rather he was destined for the Church. But the unexpected death of his much loved brother Arthur changed everything.
The book is brimful of luscious portrayal of life during Tudor times – scents, the feel of cloth, the traditions, dress, the politics and secrets of the Court and the events that occurred ( eg Henry’s Coronation, the Cloth of Gold, the disastrous sinking of The Mary Rose, the christenings of Mary Elizabeth and Edward, jousts etc ) as well as intimate revelations. No one really had secrets at the golden fishbowl of the Court. The rise and fall of Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell are documented. Even friends like Thomas More were not safe, nor his wives. The King’s Great Matter was spoken about in whispered tones.
Readers see how he began his reign regarded as a young ,handsome chivalrous King who was a stellar figure, lettered, athletic and accomplished. Some of the great people at his Court (eg Erasmus, Thomas More) helped develop England as a major European hub of philosophy and scholarship and he became a great patron of the arts (eg Holbein), music (Henry wrote the ballad Pastime With Good Company) and architecture for instance.
There is also much discussion about the Bible, who was allowed to read it (or not) various translations etc. as well as the dramatic Dissolution of the Monasteries and The Pilgrimage of Grace.
Once he became king his role as the anointed divine representative of God on earth as the head of the Church led him to develop an imperiousness that at times created major problems. In later years he became ruthless, cold and calculating developing into a feared crusty tyrant.
The book is brimful of luscious portrayal of life during Tudor times – scents, the feel of cloth, the traditions, dress, the politics and secrets of the Court and the events that occurred (eg Henry’s Coronation, the Cloth of Gold, the disastrous sinking of The Mary Rose, the christenings of Mary Elizabeth and Edward, jousts etc ) as well as intimate revelations. No one really had secrets at the golden fishbowl of the Court.
The relationship between Henry and his wives is shown .The many miscarriages his wives suffered and the emotional trauma is discussed. One wonders if with today’s medical advances they could have been helped and also if anything could have been done re Henry’s major leg ulcer.
Weir shows us the complex, many facets of Henry the man and how patriotism, the heavy responsibility of his position, his fervent Christian belief and integrity battled within him against his curmudgeonliness, imperiousness, distrust, hubris and snarly sensitivity .
Readers discover an intricate, magnificent yet fictionalised life of a troubled man in his own words. Totally absorbing.