The Cardinal: A Novel of Love and Power

1510 Tom knelt before his sovereign, who bent to invest him with the insignia of the Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry in England.

The tale of The Cardinal tells the story of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey who rose from humble beginnings to priest, to cardinal in the service of Henry VIII. Yes, that Henry who had 6 wives, beheaded 2 of them divorced 2 of them, one died of natural causes and the final wife outlived him. Wolsey was a man who did service to God, his king and to broker universal peace throughout Europe. We also see him fall in love with Joan Larke but is forbidden to marry her. We also see his point of view of the events Henry wanting to divorce Katherine of Aragon & marry Anne Boleyn who would do anything to bring Wolsey down after preventing Anne and Henry Percy from marrying. Most importantly we read about his rise and fall.

Research, Writing & A New Look At Wolsey

As always Alison does an excellent job of research, and her writing is descriptive and takes you to that period. Every time I read Alison’s books I’m always taken to the past as though I were someone who existed during the time. Alison has proven that she can write about any historical figure and not just royals. I love how in The Cardinal, Wolsey wasn’t portrayed as a two-dimensional villain. Cardinal Wolsey was prideful, had an ego, did enjoy power, but he was also ambitious, determined, wanting to do the right thing by God, his king, and country. Unfortunately, what was right, Henry did not want but Wolsey did as he was told. I also liked seeing his tragic love story with Joan Larke. We as Catholics sometimes envision these figures of priests, cardinals, popes as these superhuman figures that have resisted temptation and while some of them have done an excellent job of it more than others, we forget they are imperfect humans like we are. The Cardinal by Alison Weir is available today on May 22^nd wherever books are sold!