Description
Book SynopsisThe tragic story of Anne Boleyn has been retold over the centuries, yet two key figures in Anne's lifeher father Thomas and brother George are often relegated to the margins of the history of Henry VIII's turbulent reign. Well before Anne's coronation in 1533, Thomas was regarded as one of Henry's most skilled and experienced ambassadors, and George was a talented young courtier on the rise. But Anne''s downfall was to have a devastating effect on her family ultimately costing her and her brother their lives. A family whose success and prestige had been shaped over generations was destroyed in a violent and brutal episode as the king sought a new wife and a male heir.
In this first biography devoted to the Boleyn men, Lauren Mackay takes us beyond the stereotypes of Thomas and George to present a story that has almost been lost to history. This book follows the Boleyn men as they negotiated their way through the ruthless game of politics among the wolves of the court, and es
Trade Review
Dr Mackay’s combined biography of the men seeks to dispel these notions through a committed act of scholarship – and I have to say, she entirely succeeds. Thomas the diplomat, the negotiator, the councillor, even Thomas the jouster, are explored in detail ... This work adds greatly to our understanding of the Boleyn family before Anne’s rise, and the important diplomatic and foreign affairs that they were involved in. * Tudor Times *
[U]tterly fascinating and indispensable … [Makes] for exuberant reading. * Open Letters Review *
The presentation of the beautifully designed and illustrated book shows that it appeals to a wider readership. * Zeitschrift fur Historische Forschung (Bloomsbury Translation) *
Table of Contents
List of Plates Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Men of Mark 2. Fortune Ruleth our Helme 3. A Courtier to his Fingertips 4. Fortune, Infortune 5. The Picklock of Princes 6. Betwixt Two Princes 7. The Balance of Power 8. Declare, I Dare Not 9. Treasonous Waters 10. The Boleyn Enterprise 11. Ainsi sera, groigne, qui groigne 12. Nowe Thus 13. Turning Tides 14. Trying a Queen 15. Aftermath AppendixI Appendix II Notes Select Bibliography Index
