Alison Weir is back with thrilling new Tudor historic fiction. The Cardinal: The Secret Life of Thomas Wolsey tells an evocative story of ambition, pride, political intrigue, loyalty and betrayal. It also tells the story of secret love and sacrifice.
This is a fantastic book for all historical fiction lovers!
As a big fan of Tudor political intrigue and Alison Weir’s other epic novels, I felt I had a good awareness of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the man known to be Henry VIII’s most trusted adviser over a long number of years. Like many people, I also had a good understanding of Wolsey’s fall from grace. Yet this new novel, in which the author intimately refers to the protagonist as Tom throughout, is an illuminating portrayal of the man.
Yes, it depicts Tom’s intelligence and ambition, resulting in his meteoric rise from the son of a tradesman to become the most powerful man in England next only to the King. It also tells of his thirst for power and his life of greed, indulgence and extravagance. He lived a life full of double standards and hypocrisy.
Yet, although he was partly blinded by ambition and power, Thomas Wolsey made the ultimate sacrifice to serve Henry VIII, a King that he was devoted to. Although at times jealous and resentful, Tom ultimately loved Henry as a son. This novel is an emotive, stark and in-depth human portrayal of the Cardinal. It shines a light on his vulnerabilities and his heartbreak at not only being betrayed by Henry, but also having to sacrifice the only woman he truly loved.
Along the way, Thomas Wolsey was not often liked and made many enemies along the way. However it is Anne Boleyn, the woman he secretly refers to as ‘the night crow‘, who proves to be Tom’s ultimate enemy.
The Cardinal: The Secret Life of Thomas Wolsey is a fascinating novel, rich in detail and full of depth, power dynamics and political intrigue.
Published by Headline Review on 22 May 2025, it is available now.
Thank you Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me to the blog tour of this moving historical fiction. Thank you also to Headline for sending me an advance, gifted copy. It it is truly beautiful, and one I couldn’t put down.
To follow the blog tour, please see below.
