Wolsey: The Life of King Henry VIII's Cardinal

by John Matusiak

Cardinal Wolsey is a controversial a butcher’s son, a man of letters and the Church, a divisive political expert, a man of principle – yet, to some, an arrogant upstart. As Lord Chancellor to the incorrigible Henry VIII he achieved much both at home and abroad, but his failure to achieve the mighty monarch’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon saw him brought to his knees. John Matusiak explores the pragmatic cardinal’s life and career to uncover a man of contradictions and extremes whose meteoric rise was marked by an equally inexorable descent into desperation, as he attempted in vain to satisfy the tempestuous master whose ambition ultimately broke him.Far from being another familiar portrait of an overweight and overweening spider or cautionary tale of pride preceding a fall, this is the gripping story of how consummate talent, noble intentions and an eagle eye for the main chance can contrive with the vagaries of power politics to raise an individual to unheard of heights before finally consuming him.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Tudor Period

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2014

About the author

John Matusiak studied at the universities of London and Sussex before embarking upon a teaching career that eventually spanned more than thirty years. For over a third of that time, he was Head of the History Department at Colchester Royal Grammar School.

Reviews

[Karen Plummer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never particularly liked Wolsey perhaps because I didn't know much about him. This book certainly fills in a lot of gaps in my knowledge. Matusiak created a thorough and detailed biography tracing Thomas Wolsey's life from butcher's son to a churchman who rose quickly through the ranks to become Henry VIII's key counselor. He was an intelligent man, an astute politician and a work-a-holic. To be honest, he was not much of a churchman despite being a bishop, archbishop, cardinal and papal legate. He did use his position to gather land and riches from his appointments to the point that he was one of the richest men in England. He lived a lavish and showy lifestyle which seems so opposite to his role in the church while still working himself to illness and exhaustion in serving Henry VIII and his own interests. While his star was in ascendance, he was efficient and mostly effective despite the many enemies he had gained along his way. Once his star began to wane, his downfall was swift. I still don't particularly like the man, but I do have more respect for him.

[G. Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Well written, excitingly told, easy to read. Some great new details on the life of this famous mover & shaker of the early Tudor court. Highly recommended.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid biography of the cardinal of the Tudor reign, going over the well-trod ground from the POV of what Thomas Wolsey was doing throughout.

[Richard Hakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wolsey an interesting character and maybe not as well know as he should be. He was Henry's 'get it done' and profited imencly from arrangement. Things were going very well until they weren't. I can see parallels happening now on the othe side of the pond. Let's see how that works out.

On to the book. I hate to say it but it suffered from the London centric world view I find so often in his world and ours. In his times in London we hear about every glass of wine he drank. In contrast, his last trip was to York where he happend to be an Arch Bishop but hadn't managed to visit in the thirteen years he had the job (he did take the cash though). On this trip, his last the book can barely mentions the places he passed through before his death in the northern wastlands and generally forgotten about thereafter.

[Chris Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very competent biography about England's last Cardinal. Mr. Matusiak has researched and written a thorough and interesting book about an often-overlooked participant in the affairs of
Henry VIII. His bibliography is exemplary, and his research is evident, but the lack of specificity in the quotes leaves much to be desired. It is balanced, fair, and would be authoritative had he footnoted the work properly. Otherwise, he explains his opinions and derivations of 'accepted' ideas. I liked it immensely.

[Helen Birkbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is obviously a very well researched and highly detailed book, which tells you a lot about Wolsey's life. I felt more understanding of his impossible position serving a tyrant such as Henry VIII and don't see him just as a self serving manipulator any more, but I was left with a sense of needing more about his personality, his faith or lack of it, and his motivations. The real man somehow got overshadowed by the image.

[Bookwormthings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and sympathetic portrayal of the man about whom there are are a lot of entrenched views.

[Nathan Von Fraunhofer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a slightly slow start, Matusiak soon runrolls a narrative that is as grand as the Cardinal himself!

[Helene Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review - A very comprehensive biography of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, looking at his involvement in the legal and financial affairs of England, as well as in the affairs of the church, and his involvement in the king's great matter and to what extent Anne Boleyn was involved in his downfall. The only biography I have read of Wolsey, but one that I would use again.

General Subject/s? - Biography / Tudors / History

Recommend? – Yes

Rating -16/20

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matusiak provides a thorough overview of the life of one of Tudor England's most influential figures. The book was particularly helpful in filling in the blanks of what I learnt at school about Cardinal Wolsey.

Matusiak refrains from being overtly biased in his portrayal of Wolsey's life, making for an interesting read for all interested in the Tudor period. An overall enjoyable read for anyone with at least some prior context of Henry VIII's life and reign.