Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I have read a lot of books about the Tudor era, but it is great to find a biography about one of the most central figures in the Tudor story everyone over looks.

NetGalley, Caroline Palmer

The book was very well written and nicely balanced, if you're a fan of the Tudor period, I would think you would enjoy this a lot.

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The History Fella

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Very interesting read! I absolutely love the Tudor period and I found this book fascinating. Highly recommend for all Tudor fans out there!

NetGalley, Heather Michael

Very interesting! Not only does it provide the history of the man, but also the history of the surrounding times and people. It gave a much needed new perspective of the "why things happened" and "why they didn't".

NetGalley, Donna Pingry

This is a book for someone who knows the general facts about the Cardinal but wants to learn more about this man. If this sounds like you, I recommend you read “Cardinal Wolsey: For King and Country” by Phil Roberts.

NetGalley, Heidi Malagisi

Cardinal Wolsey is supposed to have remarked that if he had served God as diligently as he had done the king, he would not have given him over in his grey hairs. Indeed, he did serve King Henry VIII diligently, rising to the top as Lord Chancellor, and undertaking an enormous amount of work for him. Henry and the Cardinal were a good match in personalities, and they arguably understood each other. Wolsey tried to do what Henry wanted, and mostly did, even in the case of The Great Matter, but eventually he fell from grace for failing to achieve Henry's aim of marrying Anne Boleyn legally. He organised the Cloth of Gold, intending to make peace in Europe, and he advised Henry on politics, and was a prime mover in making treaties.

But Cardinal Wolsey shouldn't just be remembered for this, although he was England's 'greatest church statesman', according to the author. His greatest legacy is Christ Church college at Oxford, and he arguably founded the Ipswich Grammar School. He was also a great patron of the arts and architecture, leaving us the magnificent Hampton Court.

Phil Roberts certainly gets rid of many myths about the Cardinal (although unfortunately I can't help seeing Sam Neil's fantastic portrayal of the Cardinal in my mind) and restores his reputation. Some of my ancestors also came from Suffolk, so I like the fact that the great man came from that county.

It was an interesting and enjoyable book, although extremely detailed in parts.

NetGalley, Lisa Sanderson

The Tudor era in English history is one that has spawned thousands of books over the years. A large majority focus on Henry VIII and his six wives, as well as on his second daughter Elizabeth I. But there are others that focus on Thomas Cromwell, and in the case of Phil Roberts, on Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.
Wolsey is often remembered as the man who failed to get a divorce for Henry VIII. But this book makes it clear that he cannot be defined by that one issue. Roberts presents a man who used his intellect to propel himself forward, catching the eye of the right people to aid his ascent. As Lord Chancellor ( what we would now call the prime minister), Wolsey more than adequately served Henry VIII. He handled foreign policy, domestic policy, and always knew how best to display the majesty of king and country. This is evidenced by the high point of his career: the Field of the Cloth of Gold. (A whole chapter is devoted to this event.) Roberts' goal was to present a more balanced view of Wolsey, and in this, I believe he was successful. I came away from this with a better understanding of Wolsey the man... this book is a worthy addition to the vast ouvre of Tudor era books.

NetGalley, Mariama Thorlu-Bangura