Henry VIII : court, church and conflict

"Henry VIII" focuses on the fluctuating, often fraught relationship between the king and his court, his Church and his people - and with the other powers of continental Europe, relations with whom were thrown into turmoil by Henry's successive marriages.

It explores Henry's policies and strategies and his manipulation of key players such as Wolsey, Cromwell, Fisher and More, as well as the shaping of his royal image over decades of change.

It also probes the intriguing nature of the man behind the monarch, especially his complex religious beliefs that determined the shape of England's reformation.

David Loades, an authoritative historian of Tudor England, begins by explaining how historians have treated Henry and the expectations contemporaries had of the Renaissance prince who ascended the throne.

He describes the ensuing reign in detail, taking in the wars, law enforcement, the succession question, the court, the rebellions and the problem of Ireland, illustrating the narrative with original National Archives documents and full colour portraits of those involved. The author concludes by considering the ambiguous but still tangible legacy that this most high-profile of monarchs has left us.