The Cardinal by Alison Weir

 The Cardinal brings to life the true story of Thomas Wolsey – his meteoric rise and dramatic fall during Tudor England.

England, 1482. Wolsey’s story begins in childhood when, at the age of eleven, he is sent to Oxford.

The first half of the novel explores the deep inner world of its central character. Thomas, still a boy, finds himself subject to Oxford’s harsh rules, and he longs for the warmth of his parents’ inn. Despite the cold institution, his brilliant mind sets him apart as the youngest among a thousand scholars. Thought he misses home and the early thrill of Oxford life has worn off, he remains determine to make the best of his situation and fulfill not only his family’s hopes, but his own ambitions.

At fifteen, he earns his bachelor’s degree – an extraordinary feat at such young age. He continues his education at Oxford, eventually remaining at the university after graduation, waiting for the opportunity he has long dreamed of. Wolsey seeks high public office. He doesn’t want to take the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience; he doesn’t want to surrender his will to a superior. At eleven, he hadn’t fully grasped what priesthood would demand of him.

With no patron to support his ambitions, he is eventually ordained, believing it the only remaining path for advancement. Yet even that does not yield immediate results. He pleads for a modest ministry in hopes of future promotion.

He is finally appointed rector of a parish. After the death of his patron, more assignments follow, until at last, the opportunity he’s long awaited arrives: the chance to serve the monarch himself.

King Henry is impressed by Wolsey’s political savvy and diplomatic skills.

Appointments pour in. Suddenly, Wolsey is overwhelmed with responsibility, but he welcomes the workload. He craves power and is not afraid of hard work.

But then he meets Joan Larke - a beautiful, bold, intelligent twenty-year-old - and he cannot stop thinking about her. After working so hard to reach the pinnacle of his career, he now wonders if he’d choose love over power. Aware that envious rivals would exploit any weakness, he questions: is he letting emotion interfere with reason?

He wrestles with the dilemma. Other churchmen keep mistresses – why shouldn’t he? The king has granted him a house, so discretion would not be a problem.

Meanwhile, the king seeks to regain regions lost to France. Wolsey is against the war. After decades of civil strife. England is finally at peace and enjoying prosperity. Yet those who oppose war are falling rapidly from favor, and he must weigh his options carefully.

As the king’s trust in Wolsey deepens, Wolsey’s power and wealth increase - fueling jealousy and resentment among nobles and commoners alike. But what troubles him most are the growing accusations of lechery and fornication. The rumors spread rapidly, and he feels living on a knife-edge. In some regards, he dares not risk his secrets being discovered, and begins to feel he’s living on a knife’s edge. Now, a Cardinal, he is more unpopular than ever. Crowds boo him. The nobility despises and envy him.

The second half of the book plunges into the complex web of political and court intrigue, including wars and the Great Matter – King Henry’s pursuit of a divorce from Katherine of Aragon and his fixation on Anne Boleyn.

Poignantly written with a richly drawn and morally complex protagonist, The Cardinal offers a fresh and compelling perspective on Henry VIII’s reign. Told from Wolsey’s point of view, it sheds new light on well-known historical figures and events. The suspense builds steadily, and the final chapters - leading to Wolsey’s fall – are especially tense and gripping.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

Released in May 2025

Source: Ballantine Books; Penguin Random House