Henry VIII, renowned for his command of power and celebrated for his intellect, presided over one of the most magnificent–and dangerous–courts in Renaissance Europe. Never before has a detailed, personal biography of this charismatic monarch been set against the cultural, social, and political background of his glittering court. Now Alison Weir, author of the finest royal chronicles of our time, brings to vibrant life the turbulent, complex figure of the King. Packed with colorful description, meticulous in historical detail, rich in pageantry, intrigue, passion, and luxury, Weir brilliantly renders King Henry VIII, his court, and the fascinating men and women who vied for its pleasures and rewards. The result is an absolutely spellbinding read.
Chapter 1: “A Most Accomplished Prince”
Chapter 2: “The Triumphal Coronation”
Chapter 3: “A Prince of Splendour and Generosity”
Chapter 4: “This Magnificent, Excellent and Triumphant Court”
Chapter 5: “A Perfect Builder of Pleasant Palaces”
Chapter 7: “The Worship and Welfare of the Whole Household”
Chapter 8: “Such Plenty of Costly Provision”
Chapter 9: “Elegant Manners, Extreme Decorum, and Very Great Politeness”
Chapter 10: “Innocent and Honest Pastimes”
Chapter 11: “New Men” and “Natural Counsellors”
Chapter 12: “All Goodly Sports”
Chapter 14: “Rather Divine Than Human”
Chapter 15: “The Holy Innocent”
Chapter 16: “A Galaxy of Distinguished Men”
Chapter 17: “The King’s Painters”
Chapter 18: “Graceless Dogholes”
Chapter 19: “Obstinate Men Who Govern Everything”
Chapter 20: “Cloth of Frieze Be Not Too Bold”
Chapter 21: “The Best Dressed Sovereign in the World”
Chapter 22: “This Cardinal Is King”
Chapter 23: “The Pearl of the World”
Chapter 24: “Multitudes Are Dying around Us”
Chapter 25: “The Mother of the King’s Son”
Chapter 26: “The Eighth Wonder of the World”
Chapter 27: “One Man’s Disobedience”
Chapter 28: “A Proud Horse Tamed and Bridled”
Chapter 29: “All the Enemies of England Are Gone”
Chapter 30: “Next in Rank to His Majesty”
Chapter 31: “The Establishment of Good Order”
Chapter 32: “A Fresh Young Damsel”
Chapter 34: “Noli Me Tangere, for Caesar’s I Am”
Chapter 35: “A Thousand Cases of Sweat”
Chapter 36: “Back to Your Wife!”
Chapter 37: “Above Everyone, Mademoiselle Anne”
Chapter 38: “Squire Harry Will Be God, and Do as He Pleases!”
Chapter 39: “Opprobrious Words”
Chapter 40: “The Lady Marquess”
Chapter 41: “The Triumph at Calais and Boulogne”
Chapter 42: “Anna Regina Angliae”
Chapter 43: “Here Anna Comes, Bright Image of Chastity”
Chapter 44: “The High and Mighty Princess of England”
Chapter 45: “The Image of God upon Earth”
Chapter 46: “That Thin Old Woman”
Chapter 47: “Thunder Rolls around the Throne”
Chapter 48: “Bound to Obey and Serve”
Chapter 49: “The Suppression of the Religious Houses”
Chapter 50: “The Most Joyful News”
Chapter 51: “The Very Pearl of the Realm”
Chapter 52: “A Sort of Knaves”
Chapter 54: “Displeasant Airs”
Chapter 55: “I Have Been Young, and Now Am Old”
Chapter 56: “Is Not the Queen Abed Yet?”
Chapter 57: “Little, Sweet Fool”
Chapter 58: “A Nest of Heretics”
Chapter 59: “The Good Expectations of the King’s Majesty”
Chapter 60: “The Enterprise of Boulogne”
Chapter 61: “The Worst Legs in the World”
Chapter 63: “The Rarest Man That Lived in His Time”