This magnificent biography of Henry VIII is set against the cultural,
social and political background of his court - the most spectacular
court ever seen in England - and the splendour of his many sumptuous
palaces. An entertaining narrative packed with colourful description and
a wealth of anecdotal evidence but also a comprehensive analytical study
of the development of both monarch and court during a crucial period in
English history. As well as challenging some recent theories, it offers
controversial new conclusions based on contemporary evidence that has
until now been overlooked. This is a triumph of historical writing which
will appeal equally to the general listener and the serious historian.