Henry VIII - Penguin Classic Biography, 1984, softcover, illustrated, index, condition: as new.
This book offers a fresh look at the character and political cunning of his much-discussed, notorious, and fascinating subject. Henry, a man of fundamentally conservative views and narrowly selfish aims, was led, almost against his will and mainly by events, to introduce the Reformation in England and revolutionize the structure of English government and society. Henry's ministers and underlings, while aiding and abetting his establishment of an absolute dictatorship, found themselves again and again the instruments - and frequently the victims - of his iron will. Henry deliberately and cleverly fostered divisions between protestant and catholic factions in his government in order to keep them all in a state of confusion, eager to win his favour. His shrewdly unilateral and seemingly inconsistent responses to changing events led him to change violently the religion, politics and diplomacy of England in ways that were to his advantage, but not always to his liking. The author shows that Henry, far from being the gluttonous libertine of popular reputation, was rather an extremely perceptive, aggressive, and merciless monarch.
First of all I have to say how readable this version of Henry VIIIs life is.
From start to finish I was never bored. Mr Ridley has managed to strike the right balance of telling a great story and informing us of the facts.
It's hard to say how much of a tyrant Henry was without living in his time and was he simply evil or did he purge his kingdom to protect it from potential evils?
These are questions put to us as readers to decide by ourselves.
The author discusses academic views and also adds his own but overall
I was left with the feeling that he was a bit of both, tyrant and protector.
Finally at only 416 pages this is only an introduction to the subject
and of the main characters involved ( Thomas Cromwell, Cardinal Wolsey, his 6 wives etc.), only scant background is offered.
However I can't wait to read more about these compelling characters now after reading this excellent account.
