The King's Pleasure A Novel of Henry VIII

In this extraordinary historical novel, the New York Times bestselling author hailed as “the finest historian of English monarchical succession writing” (The Boston Globe) explores the private side of the legendary King Henry VIII and his dramatic and brutal reign. “A delightful yarn . . . an all-around fun read about a king and a cad.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Having completed her Six Tudor Queens series of novels on the wives of Henry VIII—extensively researched and written from each queen’s point of view—Alison Weir now gives Henry himself a voice, telling the story of his remarkable thirty-six-year reign and his six marriages. Young Henry began his rule as a magnificent and chivalrous Renaissance prince who embodied every virtue. He had all the qualities to make a triumph of his kingship, yet we remember only the violence. Henry famously broke with the Pope, founding the Church of England and launching a religious revolution that divided his kingdom. He beheaded two of his wives and cast aside two others. He died a suspicious, obese, disease-riddled autocrat. His reign is remembered as one of dangerous intrigue and bloodshed—and yet the truth is far more complex.