“Lock Cromwell in a deep dungeon in the morning, and when you come back that night he’ll be sitting on a plush cushion eating larks’ tongues, and all the gaolers will owe him money.”
Part One: Across the Narrow Sea (1500-1527)
The novel opens with Thomas Cromwell as a young man, fleeing his abusive father in Putney. After wandering Europe, he becomes a soldier, merchant, and lawyer, gaining skills that shape his sharp political mind. By 1527, he is a trusted advisor to Cardinal Wolsey, Henry VIII’s chief minister.
Part Two: The Cardinal (1527-1529)
Cromwell assists Wolsey in managing the king’s affairs, including Henry’s desperate attempt to annul his marriage to Katherine of Aragon. Wolsey’s failure leads to his downfall, but Cromwell survives by ingratiating himself with Anne Boleyn’s faction and securing a place in Henry’s court.
Part Three: The Dead Complain of Their Burial (1529-1531)
With Wolsey dead, Cromwell rises as a key strategist, navigating court intrigues. He engineers legal and religious reforms to justify Henry’s divorce, weakening the Catholic Church’s power in England. His pragmatism and ruthlessness earn him enemies but solidify his influence.
Part Four: The Mirror and the Light (1531-1535)
Cromwell orchestrates Henry’s marriage to Anne Boleyn and the break with Rome, establishing the Church of England. He oversees the dissolution of monasteries, enriching the crown. However, Anne’s failure to produce a male heir and her growing arrogance make her vulnerable.
Part Five: The Wreckage (1535-1536)
Anne’s downfall is swift—Cromwell builds a case accusing her of adultery and treason. She is executed, and Henry marries Jane Seymour. Cromwell’s power peaks, but his enemies, including the nobility and religious conservatives, begin plotting against him.
Key Ideas
- Power and survival in a treacherous political landscape.
- The Reformation’s impact on England’s religious and social structures.
- Machiavellian manipulation versus personal loyalty.
- Class mobility and the rise of a self-made man.
- The fragility of favor in a capricious monarchy.
Notable Adaptations
| Year | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Wolf Hall (TV Series) | BBC adaptation starring Mark Rylance as Cromwell. |
| 2014 | Wolf Hall (Stage Play) | Royal Shakespeare Company production. |
Who should read this book?
- Fans of meticulously researched historical fiction.
- Readers intrigued by Tudor-era politics and intrigue.
- Those who appreciate complex, morally ambiguous protagonists.