Young Henry: The Rise of Henry VIII - Hardcover

Robert Hutchinson

3.68

302 ratings by Goodreads

9780297859529: Young Henry: The Rise of Henry VIII

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0297859528 ISBN 13: 9780297859529

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2011

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Henry VIII always had problems with women. Born on 28 June 1491, he lived in the shadow of his elder brother Arthur and his dour and autocratic father, Henry VII. Elizabeth of York, Henry's mother, died when he was twelve and thereafter he lived under the thumb of his formidable grandmother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, who beneath a pious exterior was the arch-conspirator of the last days of the Wars of the Roses.
Everything changed when Arthur died of tuberculosis at Ludlow Castle in 1502, less than six months after his marriage to the Spanish princess, Catherine of Aragon.
Henry VII died in April 1509 when his sole heir was nine weeks away from his eighteenth birthday. His grandmother acted as regent until his birthday and he married his brother's widow, Catherine on 11 June, two weeks before their joint coronation.
Henry quickly swept away the musty cobwebs of his father's court. He loved magnificence, merriment and the hunting field, and could fire an arrow further than most of his professional archers. Henry could dance everyone off their feet and could drink most men under the table. But Henry became frustrated and angry at his lack of sons by Catherine and his attention began to wander. Some time in 1526 he fell passionately in love with Anne Boleyn.
At the age of 35, the time for youthful frolic had ended. To achieve his heart's overpowering desire, the executions had now to begin.
Young Henry provides readers with an unique and compelling vision of the splendours and tragedies of the royal court, presided over by a magnificent and ruthless monarch.

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About the Author:

Robert Hutchinson is a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and the author of THE LAST DAYS OF HENRY VIII, ELIZABETH'S SPYMASTER, THOMAS CROMWELL, HOUSE OF TREASON, YOUNG HENRY and THE SPANISH ARMADA. He was Defence Correspondent for the Press Association before moving to Jane's Information Group to launch JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY. He has a doctorate from the University of Sussex, and was appointed OBE in the 2008 Honours List.

Review:

The author, who makes good use of archival material as well as published sources, tries to be fair to Henry VIII and succeeds. This is never an easy task when it comes to this king * CONTEMPORARY REVIEW * scrupulous and readable... [Henry VIII] was though, for good or ill, one of our most important rulers and this fine biography offers a lucid view of the forces that shaped his complex personality. -- Simon Griffith * MAIL ON SUNDAY * Robert Hutchinson has gained a reputation for engaging and accessible prose based upon impressive scholarly research, and this latest book does not disappoint... it provides a compelling new analysis of the influences that shaped Henry VIII's childhood... Hutchinson adds a vital human dimension that is often lacking in the more conventional political histories... and brings the future king's personality vividly to life, with all of its brilliantly contrasting and capricious elements. -- Tracy Borman * BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE * Robert Hutchinson has produced a biography that shines a light on Henry's youth, and details the people and the events that drove him....it is good to be reminded of the evils of absolute monarchy. And this book does that in a highly readable way. * TRIBUNE * This is an enjoyable, unfussy history which explains a lot about the man who became Henry VIII...Robert Hutchinson vividly shows us the monster in the making and teaches us to feel a modicum of pity for his plight. -- Christopher Hudson * DAILY MAIL * Anyone who sees history as boring should be given Robert Hutchinson's book post haste. Without sacrificing facts and research, he has the ability to construct and absolutely compelling narrative and, though I never thought I'd say this of a book on Thomas Cromwell, one that is impossible to put down. He is one of the few authors who keep you up till 3am. His new book, covering the first 35 years of the life of Henry VIII, is a complementary volume to his splendid LAST DAYS OF HENRY VIII. -- Sue Baker * THE BOOKSELLER *

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