The House of Boleyn

Description

In 1536, Thomas Boleyn is a broken man, living alone with his painful memories. Boleyn served as an advisor to King Henry VII and his son, King Henry VIII. Thomas and his wife, Elizabeth, wanted the best for their children, whether in service to the King or through an arranged marriage where their futures would be secured. While the family had suffered the loss of a few children, they had plans for their two daughters, Mary and Anne, and their son George. While George would follow his father’s path in the King’s court, Mary’s path took a divergent turn, leading to a rift with her sister Anne. The Boleyns’ fortune changed irrevocably when King Henry VIII’s affections zeroed in on Anne, and his belief that Anne could provide him with an heir. The future of England would change as well.

The House of Boleyn is a masterful work by historian/novelist Tracy Borman(“The Stolen Crown”), which follows the rise and fall of a powerful family. Borman deftly captures the naked ambition, ruinous rivalries, and illicit liaisons that permeated the kingdom during the reign of King Henry VIII. There is no questioning Borman’s adeptness on the subject of the Tudors.