The Cardinal: A Novel of Love and Power

By Alison Weir

Book Overview

In this "immersive tale of Tudor intrigue" (Publishers Weekly), the New York Times bestselling author of The Last White Rose explores the rise of Thomas Wolsey, who was Henry VIII's chief adviser--until the king accused him of treason.

"Henry VIII's beloved cardinal leaps from the page in all his brilliance, complexity, and humanity. Fans of Wolf Hall have a treat in store."--Tracy Borman, author of Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey enjoyed one of the most meteoric careers in history. His rise from humble beginnings coincided with young Henry VIII's ascension to the throne in 1509. The two grew to be cherished friends, and by 1515 Wolsey, now a cardinal, had become the controlling figure in all matters of church and state.

Wolsey operated on an international stage and worked hard to broker universal peace. All was going dazzlingly well until Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn--the woman whom Wolsey would one day call "the night crow"--and sought to end his marriage to his first wife, Katherine of Aragon. Swept up in the maelstrom of "the Divorce," Wolsey, who had successfully given his master everything he wanted, found himself in an impossible situation. As he drew the ire of the future queen, the cardinal found his privileged life and his relationship with Henry crumbling around him.

Alison Weir's poignant novel tells the story of Wolsey the man--his incredible rise to power and his tragic fall. She delves beyond the splendor and political machinations of the Tudor court to reveal the secrets of Wolsey's private life, the mistress and children he was devoted to, and the tragedy that overtook them. It is a tale of two women, one who loved him and one who hated him--and also a tale of two men, king and commoner, the special, deep-rooted bonds that brought them together and the forces that drove them apart.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0593974700
• ISBN13: 9780593974704
• Release Date: May 2025
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

What an interesting read that I highly recommend!

This book was fascinating!  It is a fictional account of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who came from humble beginnings, became good friends with King Henry VIII, who worked very hard for many years to rise to the rank of Cardinal, and which afforded him great power & benefits, all while serving his beloved sovereign within the Tudor court.  All seemed to be going well for Cardinal Wolsey, high rank in the church, great estates, beautiful mistress, power beyond his imagination, all this until King Henry falls in love with Anne Boleyn, who causes the king to want to divorce his first wife Katherine of Aragon, and who seeks to destroy the life the cardinal has worked so hard to build, and also wants to destroy his relationship with his beloved friend King Henry.  Power has come with a great price to Cardinal Wolsey, and along the way, he has compromised, made enemies, and finds that favor within the Tudor court is fickle, and can fade in an instant! I really enjoyed this book, but without any spoilers, I kind of could see what was coming to Cardinal Wolsey!  This account was fiction, but was based on a true character in history. I thought this book was well written, engaging all the way through, interesting, and a great story!  I did enjoy it, give it 4.5 stars, and recommend it!