Anne Stevens
Published: 2018-01-24
Total Pages: 359
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To His Most Noble Majesty Henry, King of England, Ireland and of France, from his most loyal servant Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex, greetings... Prostrate at Your Majesty's feet, I must write such things as I think meet concerning my most miserable state ... and where I have now been accused of treason, I never in all my life thought to displease Your Majesty ... much less do or say that thing which, of itself, is so High & Abominable an offence. Your Grace, in his wisdom, knows my accusers, and may God forgive them for their wicked sins. If it were in my power to make you live forever and enrich you, God knows I would. For Your Majesty has been most bountiful towards me ... more like a father than a king.I ask your mercy where I have offended. I have committed my soul to God, and my body and goods to your pleasure. As for this England ... I have done my best, and nobody can justly accuse me of having done wrong wilfully.SO, Thomas Cromwell pleads for England, and for his life. It is 1540, and the Privy Councillor is languishing in the Tower of London, his dreams in tatters. It seems that the Duke of Norfolk has won the day, but Cromwell's loyal friends cannot abandon him to his fate without attempting to save his life. Whilst some are for violent action, others counsel a steadier approach. The king must be won over. Rafe Sadler is set to use his influence, whilst others argue for Cromwell's life in subtler ways. The king wishes an annulment, but who can write the law well enough to make him look innocent to the rest of Europe?Master lawyer, Thomas Cromwell has one last task to perform for his king, and when it is completed... he must die.Will Draper must continue with the king's business, and he has a murderer to find. He also has a family to protect, and when it comes to a choice, who will he place first.... his family, or his friend?'The most riveting volume yet' .... 'Cromwell at his best' 'Historic Fiction on a grand scale'