We have updated our Privacy Policy Please take a moment to review it. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the terms of our updated Privacy Policy.
Thomas Cromwell
On sale
23rd February 2012
Price: £12.99
The rise and fall of Henry’s notorious minister – the most corrupt Chancellor in English history
‘Gripping… Hutchinson tells his story with infectious relish and vividly evokes the politics and personalities of this extraordinary decade’ LITERARY REVIEW
‘Hutchinson tells the horrible story admirably and compellingly, acknowledging Cromwell’s rare abilities, while making no excuses for his character’ OBSERVER
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 maneuvered 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 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 organised 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 colossal bribes and binding the noble families to him with easy loans. He came home from court literally weighed down with gold.
‘Gripping… Hutchinson tells his story with infectious relish and vividly evokes the politics and personalities of this extraordinary decade’ LITERARY REVIEW
‘Hutchinson tells the horrible story admirably and compellingly, acknowledging Cromwell’s rare abilities, while making no excuses for his character’ OBSERVER
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 maneuvered 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 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 organised 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 colossal bribes and binding the noble families to him with easy loans. He came home from court literally weighed down with gold.
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reviews
Gripping... Hutchinson tells his story with infectious relish and vividly evokes the politics and personalities of this extraordinary decade
Vigorous, pacey and focused... an effective portrait of "Henry VIII's most notorious minister"
Absolutely compelling narrative and, though I never thought I'd say this of a book on Thomas Cromwell, one that is impossible to put down. He is one of the few authors who keep you up till 3am.
A rollicking good read
Hutchinson tells the horrible story admirably and compellingly, acknowledging Cromwell's rare abilities, while making no excuses for his character