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Master Wolsey: A Historical Novel of the Tudor Court Paperback – September 17, 2019

by Laura Dowers (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 232 ratings
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How does a butcher's son become the closest servant of a king?

England, 1485.

The Battle of Bosworth is over. King Richard III is dead, Henry Tudor wears the crown and England is about to be changed forever. If a man has brains and ambition, then he can rise to the very top.

Fortunately for Thomas Wolsey, he has plenty of both.

Not content with an obscure Oxford life, Thomas strikes out to better his position. Moving from master to master, Thomas finds himself at the court of King Henry, a man of influence.

But life is precarious for this son of a butcher. Loathed and distrusted by the old nobility, Thomas must use all his cunning and guile to win and keep his place at the Tudor court.

A historical fiction novel of Tudor England. Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir and Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall.

Available in eBook, paperback and large print paperback.

Other Books in The Tudor Court series:

The Queen's Favourite
The Queen's Rebel
The Queen's Spymaster

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Book 4 of 6
    The Tudor Court
  2. Print length
    432 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    September 17, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 1.08 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1912968142
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1912968145
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Laura Dowers was born and lives in London. Her historical interests range from British history to ancient and European history and she intends to visit many different periods in her future novels.Visit her website: www.lauradowers.com

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blue Laurel Press (September 17, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1912968142
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1912968145
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.03 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 1.08 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 232 ratings

About the author

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Laura Dowers

Laura Dowers

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Laura Dowers is a British writer of historical fiction and the author of a new novel The Woman in Room Three. An enthusiastic amateur historian since a teenager, Laura has spent the last twenty years exploring notorious characters from the Tudor era and attempting to rehabilitate their reputations by writing their side of the stories rather than the ones that are so familiar to lovers of this period. She’s also written about Ancient Rome and 1930s England. Her latest novel represents a new direction for her, being a homage to the Sensation fiction writers of the mid-nineteenth-century, such as Wilkie Collins and Mary Elizabeth Braddon.

Shakespeare lover, fan of classic British sci-fi shows and an adoring servant of two cats, Laura lives in London.

Visit her website: www.lauradowers.com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
232 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
What a fascinating read! I know it is fiction, but I was caught up in the battle, the struggle and then the achievement of each of the characters. Especially Thomas Wolsey. Henry VIII was true to form, being a young king, and his poor wife, Katherine, losing first Arthur, then the babies.
Each page was turned with anticipation, and I finished the book in half a day. I enjoy reading about the Plantegenet and the Tudor court. Such a lot of history! I fall into that history each time I read a good book and this certainly is one. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes British history and has a good imagination.
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Mercedes Rochelle
4.0 out of 5 stars Not terribly sympathetic!
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2021
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In this book, we follow the rise of Thomas Wolsey, butcher’s son, who is too brilliant to stay down, too ambitious to be held back, and too arrogant to keep his friends. Here is a man who is a hard worker, even taking on tasks above and beyond his own job description. He excels in everything he does, and expects to be noticed. If he ruffles a few feathers along the way, too bad for the injured parties:

‘Have I not earned this chance?’ Thomas burst out resentfully.
‘And have I not earned some loyalty?’ Mayhew shot back. ‘I have looked after you ever since you came to us as a boy. I saw your talent and I nurtured it. I have helped you to rise within the college, and now you abandon me.’
Thomas stepped up to Mayhew and took a deep breath. ‘I know I owe you a great deal, Master Mayhew, and I do thank you for it. But I do not owe you my life.’

This may sound reasonable, but Thomas is also abandoning Mayhew when the latter has been accused of wrongdoing and needs his support. Sorry! The man can fend for himself; Thomas has bigger fish to fry. This is only the beginning of his career but defines the path he has chosen to take. Even his own family doesn’t rate his attentions. Nonetheless, when he needs it, it seems that Thomas can summon up the ability to offer comfort—like any good churchman—and King Henry VII comes to value his talents. Once he meets and consoles the young Prince after his mother’s death, Thomas’s future fortune is made. Henry VIII finds him invaluable and Thomas feels secure. He forges ahead, regardless of the enemies he makes along the way. I used to think that Thomas Wolsey got a bad deal in the end, but if this depiction of his personality is true, I’m no longer so sure. You can admire the man, but it’s hard to approve of him.
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M Clement Hall
5.0 out of 5 stars Butcher's son to King's friend
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2019
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Describes Wolsey's career from childhood to the point where he became Cardinal, which leaves room for another book on the same subject.
Obviously the author of historical novels takes liberties in describing banal conversations but these hold together the important facts of the life of an extraordinary man who in the Middle Ages went from butcher's son to prince of the Church and close associate of both Henrys, VII and VIII.
It is a very readable, and I believe, correct account.
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Robert W. Hofer
5.0 out of 5 stars good read but ends a bit abruptly...
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2020
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i thought it was a good read with some very interesting insights into the evolution of the Cardinal. but it ends without warning, one would think a sequel is in the offing, good read for those interested in the trump (oops, the tudor) era...
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anne case
4.0 out of 5 stars have no comment
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2019
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The book was "OK". Would like to know more .
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Robert A. Bowers
3.0 out of 5 stars Covers Wolsey's life only up until he became a Cardinal
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
I've read other books by this author and looked forward to this one. She isn't in the class of Phillipa Gregory or Sharon Kay Penman, but she's good and she can hold your interest. This book, bought on the strength of the others that I liked was disappointing. Because she didn't intend to cover the more dramatic years of Wolsey's downfall, the book often feels padded and loaded with side storylines that don't really move the plot forward even if they are about Wolsey's life (examples: first faithless girlfriend, conflict with his sister, his mother's remarriage, even his mistress Joan and their children aren't really developed into something that seems to impact Wolsey ) that use lots of pages to tell us stories that then get shoved to one side because they don't really relate to his ambition and rise to power. Possibly she has planned a volume 2 to cover the more dramatic years but this one was disappointing.
3 people found this helpful
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Lorraine Craymer
5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed this book very much
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2019
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There was something very real about the way Thomas Wolsey was presented - sympathetic yet with his share of flaws. Mostly, we read of his downfall. With this book setting the stage it all makes sense.
One person found this helpful
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John Cragg
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2021
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The usual reason for a fictionalized biography is to impart some feeling for what the historical character was really like. Especially of someone who is historically central but personally opaque. Hilary Mantel's novels about Thomas Cromwell are one outstanding example. Somehow, this book fails. I feel I have no more insight into Wolsey when I put it down than when I picked it up.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

ozzie38
5.0 out of 5 stars A book of worth
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
A fascinating read about the man that was Wolsey. The only disappointing part is it's not followed through to the his downfall. Maybe this is a deliberate intention on this authors part, allowing for another story following on to this very pertinent fact concerning the man, rather than telling his history in one fell swoop. Nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed the book & consider it a worthwhile purchase.
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Lebuchanan
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2022
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Enjoyed this aspect of Wolsey the other books I have read he has been only part of the story but this book was certainly interesting
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D G.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Insight
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book as it has given me an understanding of the Great Cardinal Wolsey's mind set. I found it interesting that Thomas Cromwell (whom of course worked for Wolsey) came from a very similar background to Wosley. Perhaps this was why they had such empathy with each other.? Facinating story well worth reading.
One person found this helpful
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Happy reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2019
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I really enjoyed this book. We've all heard of 'Cardinal' Wolsey, but not 'Master' Wolsey. It shows a man from humble beginnings, but with a very sharp, smart and clever brain, who worked hard with a dogged determination to reach as high as possible. It also shows him as a real person, with real feelings and emotions thatwe can all relate to. I can highly recommend this book.
One person found this helpful
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pinkypam x
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
I enjoy any book on history, preferably non-fiction.
This was a good take on the rise of Cardinal Wolsey, just a work of fiction. The 'action' moves along very quickly, often glossing over pertinent facts that would have made it a more interesting read.
Recommended to anyone interested in Historical Fiction.
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