Henry VIII: The King and His Court (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Beautifully written, exhaustive in its research . . . a gem [that] outshines all previous studies of Henry.”—The Philadelphia InquirerFor fans of Wolf Hall, an intimate biography of Henry VIII, one of English history’s most turbulent, complex rulers, and the glittering court he made his own, from “the finest historian of English monarchical succession writing” (The Boston Globe)“[Weir] has perfected the art of bringing history to life.”—Chicago TribuneHenry VIII, renowned for his command of power and celebrated for his intellect, presided over the most stylish—and dangerous—court in Renaissance Europe. Scheming advisers and courtiers vied for power with newly rich landowners and merchants, brilliant painters and architects introduced a new splendor into art and design, and each of Henry’s six queens brought her own influence to bear upon the life of the court. In an age when a monarch’s domestic and political lives were inextricably intertwined, Henry VIII exercised enormous sway over the laws, the customs, and the culture of his kingdom. Yet as Alison Weir shows in this swift, vivid narrative, Henry’s ministers, nobles, and wives were formidable figures in their own right, whose influence both enhanced and undermined the authority of the throne. In Henry VIII, Weir records the many complex human dramas that swirled around Henry while deftly weaving in an account of the intimate rituals and desires of England’s ruling class—their sexual practices, feasts and sports, tastes in books and music, houses and gardens.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 fought for its pleasures and rewards. Read more