The Queen's Priest: The Story of Blessed Thomas Abell

by Theresa Abell Haynes

The Queen's Priest is a gripping historical novel based on the true story of Thomas Abell, the 16th-century priest who defied King Henry VIII and spent seven years of his life in the Tower of London.

Father Thomas Abell's tranquil life in Oxford is shattered when the powerful Cardinal Wolsey summons him to the royal court. Embroiled in King Henry VIII's quest for a divorce, Wolsey asks Thomas to become Queen Katherine’s personal chaplain—and the king's loyal spy. Then, when a covert mission to Spain forces Thomas to choose between the king's demands and his own conscience, he must decide who he will serve. Will he risk everything to do what is right?

The Queen's Priest reveals the treacherous landscape of Tudor England, where speaking truth could cost a man everything. Follow Thomas's journey from reluctant priest to fearless champion of the faith.
The Queen's Priest is based on the true story of Blessed Thomas Abell, who carved his name and family emblem into the Tower of London. Visitors today can see his graffiti in the Beauchamp Tower.

Theresa Abell Haynes is a journalist and historical novelist with a master's degree in the Religious Roots of Europe from Lund University in Sweden. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.

Genres: Historical Fiction

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2025

Reviews

[Susie Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is such an inspiration to me. I savored it—reading just a chapter or two each night because I did not want to come to the end of it. The way that Theresa Abell Haynes tells the story of her ancestor Father Thomas Abell and his service to Queen Katherine of Aragon is brilliant. History, suspense, truth, power, devotion, and sacrifice are woven together as readers get to know the rich character of Thomas Abell. Thank you, Theresa, for writing this!

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book and really enjoyed it!

[Kelly Goshorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOTE: REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS. Normally, I would avoid such, but since the novel is about a true historical figure, I didn’t see it as too much of a spoiler.

The Queen’s Priest by Theresa Abell Haynes is a compelling historical novel that places the reader squarely in the maelstrom of religious and political upheaval that defined early 16th-century England. At its heart is Blessed Thomas Abell, chaplain to Queen Catherine of Aragon and ancestor of author Theresa Abell Haynes. Educated at Oxford, Abell was a thoughtful priest whose quiet resistance would prove just as threatening to the crown as open rebellion.

I was thoroughly impressed with the depth of historical research it must have taken to write this novel. Haynes skillfully describes the power struggles of Henry VIII’s court, particularly the king’s determination to annul his marriage to Catherine to wed Anne Boleyn and the nuances of court politics. As the story progresses, Haynes demonstrates how fear, pride, and the hunger for control shaped the king’s decisions—decisions that left little room for dissent.

To his credit, Abell continued to argue both publicly and in written form that there was no legitimate basis for Henry’s divorce, which made him a thorn in the king’s side and led to multiple imprisonments, including a long confinement in the Tower of London. Evidence of his presence there—his carved name and family emblem survives to this day.

Throughout the novel, Haynes offers readers a portrait of faithfulness under pressure without romanticizing the dangers or simplifying the moral issues at hand. Abell’s faith is revealed through prayer, study, and inner struggle, emphasizing the cost of discipleship—how remaining true to one’s beliefs can lead to isolation, imprisonment, and even death.

Overall, The Queen’s Priest is a rewarding read for fans of faith-centered historical fiction. Theresa Abell Haynes succeeds in illuminating a forgotten martyr while offering a sobering look at one of England’s most volatile periods. It is a novel that honors history, challenges the reader, and quietly testifies to the enduring power of the Christian conscience.

I received a free audiobook copy of The Queen’s Priest from the author. I was not required to write a favorable review. The narrator, Alex Bhat, did an amazing job bringing the story of Blessed Thomas Abell to life. I highly recommend this audio production.

[Acunruh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Queen’s Priest is historical fiction that incorporates solid research with vivid imagery and emotion. I found the writing compelling and read the book in a few days. The author envisions the pressure endured by the scholar priest Thomas Abell, who was impelled to minister to Queen Catherine of Aragon (King Henry the Eighth’s first wife and the mother of Queen Mary 1). The book portrays Catherine’s dependence upon religion to help her cope with the rejection of her husband and navigate the complex political landscape of the day. The fiction progresses on the structure of facts that led to outcomes history preserved: Catherine was Henry’s first and longest wife, and the daughter of their union became the zealot known as Bloody Mary. I found myself doing research on the House of Tudor and understanding it better than ever before. I received an advance copy of the book, and I highly recommend it.

[RC · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Queen’s Priest is one of those rare books that really stuck with me, and keeps coming to mind even weeks after I finished it. It’s an enjoyable and interesting historical novel following the life of Thomas Abell, a Christian martyr and priest for Queen Katherine during the reign of King Henry VIII.

It’s well-paced and easy to understand, especially when differentiating between similar names. Thomas is a good role model of how we should act in faith, turning to God for wisdom rather than the world. The difference between good and evil is clearly outlined and makes the messages relatable to today’s world. My only setback was that sometimes the emotion seemed lacking, but overall The Queen’s Priest is a well-written book, and I recommend it for teens and adults who enjoy reading clean historical novels.

[Tirzah Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderfully written and researched, balancing vivid imagery and descriptions with a personal and grounded look at the life of Thomas Abell. I really enjoyed Thomas's character! His dedication to his faith and passion for the truth, and just his general goodness was all very refreshing and compelling. The story is well-situated within concurrent historical events and all of the other featured historical figures, from Katherine of Aragon to Henry VIII to William Tyndale, make for grounded and compelling characters.
I highly recommend this book for fans of the historical period, lovers of King Henry VIII drama, those interested in church history, and anyone who loves a morally good main character.

Note: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ann Grinnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theresa, your ability to bring to life the historical facts and figures in The Queen’s Priest captivated me from the moment I began reading. Your vivid character portrayals made me quickly connect with the brave individuals in the story, while feeling a strong aversion to those who opposed them.
Your carefully detailed settings made it easy to feel fully immersed, and the many twists and turns of the narrative kept the suspense high and made the book difficult to put down. Thank you for your excellent research and polished writing—you transformed a harsh period of history into an engaging and compelling read.

[Elizabeth Shenk]

I just finished this book and I already miss it. I expected to learn about history, but I didn't expect to adore the main character and his humble integrity.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written novel that kept me intrigued but also expanded my perspective on a lesser known slice of history.

[Micah Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was captivating, well-written and inspiring! I hope more people will read it and know the story of this amazing saint.

[Paige Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

PSA - Still reading but wanted to get my initial reaction out pre-launch!

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I am being transported. It is a rare gift to be able to make people who lived hundreds of years ago in a time and culture that is so different from our own, feel as relatable as contemporary friends.

And what a breath of fresh air to read a thrilling adventure that hasn’t been steeped in adult content and stuffed with inaccurate modern day ideas!

Can’t wait to read more, will post an update when I’ve finished!

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Thanks so much to the author for an advanced copy!

[David Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read ! The pacing, story, and characters were captivating. A fresh view of the Queen Catherine and Henry’s relationship and the struggle of the royal marriage.