Justice For The Cardinal: Thomas Cromwell is out for revenge...

The Tudor Saga #3

by David Field

A dramatic saga of King Henry VIII’s court! Perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden, Robyn Young, Alison Weir and Anthony Riches.

What leads to the King’s favour one day, can be deadly on the next...


Tudor England

Following the unjust death of Cardinal Wolsey, his protégé Thomas Cromwell is determined to take his revenge on those he holds responsible, most of all Queen Anne Boleyn and her uncle Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk.

But Thomas is obliged to acquire the services of a spy, Richard Ashton, who can act as his eyes and ears within a Court that falls silent in the presence of the man who has risen to be ‘Master Secretary’, and King Henry’s new close confidante.

As King Henry lurches through one cursed marriage after another, he is surrounded by a Court that is as immoral and treacherous as it is rich.

And while Cromwell may easily dispose of some of his enemies, it’s clear others could tear him down.

As Richard Ashton becomes more embroiled in courtly affairs, it seems his life could also be on the line…

Justice For The Cardinal is the third thrilling historical adventure novel in the Tudor Saga Series, chronicling the rise and fall of one of England’s most powerful royal families.

THE TUDOR SAGA SERIES
BOOK ONE: Tudor Dawn
BOOK TWO: The King’s Commoner
BOOK THREE: Justice For The Cardinal
BOOK FOUR: A Clash of Seymours
BOOK FIVE: The Queen In Waiting
BOOK SIX: The Heart Of A King

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2019

About the author

David was born in post-war Nottingham, and educated at Nottingham High School. After obtaining a Law degree he became a career-long criminal law practitioner and academic, emigrating in 1989 to Australia, where he still lives.

Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to fulltime retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips.

Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a fulltime occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.

David Field is published by Sapere Books.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Field continues his new Tudor series, perfect for fans of this time in history. The focus turns to Thomas Cromwell, the endearing close advisor of King Henry VIII. With Anne Boleyn on the throne, there is talk that she might be losing her lustre. With only a female heir to her name, Henry is getting tired of waiting and there are whispers about Anne’s past infidelities that could ruin Henry’s future. Cromwell does what he knows best, spreads loose facts mixed with rumours to create an insurmountable case against Anne. Cromwell also learns some disturbing news about the line of secession before the current Henry’s father, which could, if it comes out publicly, could cause series issues for the Tudor line. He holds onto it as Anne is executed by the maritally fickle King, whose eyes turn to another woman. During Jane Seymour’s brief time on the throne, Henry got his male heir, but lost a wife in the process. Cromwell turned to finding the next great wife for Henry, all the while holding onto this major bit of news that could make heads—literally—roll. When a foreign princess, Anna of Kleve, arrives to wed Henry, there is a serious breach and panic ensues. Henry must save face and denies having ever wanted this German woman as his wife. Surely the portrait sent did not depict the woman Henry thought he loved. Someone must be to blame and Cromwell seems the easiest target. David Field does well with this piece, dazzling those who like historical fiction with his attention to detail. Recommended to those who have been following the series, as well as readers who love the Tudor era.

I am so happy to see that David Field continuing with this series, which mixes some of the well-known parts of history with lesser published bits. Field injects a wonderful narrative and balances it with the development of a key character of the era, this time Thomas Cromwell. The man who served as Henry VIII’s right hand man on some issues proved to have the most difficult of positions. Trying to keep the King happy and the Court running well proves to be problematic, with so many balls up in the air. Cromwell feels the pressure from all sides but continues to do his best to keep everything working well. However, there comes a time when something must give and Cromwell may become the victim of his own attempt to keep a crazed man satisfied. Others make a mark in this tale that helps push forward the Tudor narrative. Some great characters from history are peppered throughout this story and Field develops them effectively to keep the story on point. A great piece with a mix of different length chapters to keep the reader intrigued and ready to learn a little more. Field has done well with the past novels in this and other historical series. New fans are in for a treat, when they discover how well he presents the issues here. A little deeper than some of his other writing, but well worth the invested effort.

Kudos, Mr. Field, for a great link from the past book. Field has so much to share and does it effectively in a concise manner.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

254 pages

3 stars

This book is not nearly as good as the first two.

Mr. Field got way off the track as far as historical accuracy on this one. The sequence of events did not happen the way described in the novel. And the language! Oh my. There is no need for that kind of language in a work of this sort. I don't know if it is supposed to “spice it up,” but I found the sexual references unappealing and unnecessary.

[Mercedes Rochelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, the writing is very good and entertaining. But on the other hand, it is really alternative fiction. I don’t mind a made-up character; there’s an outside possibility that Perkin Warbeck might have been the missing Prince Richard of York, presumed murdered in the Tower. Perkin Warbeck might have had a grandson (Richard in this book). This isn’t what I take exception to. Thomas Cromwell, on the other hand, was a real historical person, and I just don’t think a historical novelist should take such oversized departures from established “facts”. It’s possible that Cromwell might have made it his personal objective to wreak revenge on Anne Boleyn for her ruination of his precious Cardinal Wolsey. But the book doesn’t end there, which in itself is confusing, considering the title. When it came to suggesting Henry marry Anne of Cleves, Cromwell deliberately switched her painting for that of her better-looking sister, thus misleading the king. That certainly didn’t happen, as far as I know. And that is only one example of the author’s playing fast and loose with history. Did the Duke of Norfolk plot treason against Henry VIII? Not that I know of. And what about Jane Rochford? Nothing was mentioned about her testifying against her husband during Anne Boleyn’s trial. Instead, the book was all about her affair with Richard and bearing him an illegitimate son. Huh? So overall, much was left out, and much more was fabricated. Anyone without a background to Tudor history is bound to come out of this very confused, indeed.

[Amanda Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's hardly the bawdy romp the author himself claims!

I am lost as to why he felt the need to make up a character to eventually cause Cromwell's downfall.. the recorded events are surely enough. It's a ridiculous, unnecessary and pointless exercise as Cromwell and Norfolk were already at daggers drawn and the intrigues of the day provide more than enough for him to produce fictional conversations and plots. Furthermore he leaves the fictional Sir Richard Ashton residing at the Grey's home for a huge proportion of the book having initially made him the main protagonist of the story which was ostensibly supposed to be Cromwell's..

A bawdy romp? No.. it's neither bawdy nor a romp. To consider it so would take a far greater degree of imagination than the author has.

The tale of Cromwell? Roughly half with the life of the fictional Sir Richard Ashton.

Cromwell's revenge for Wolsey's death? Well we know that he never achieved it, real or fictionally, so it seems to me that he has made a poor choice of title and a rather incredulous story which was never going anywhere.

Begs the question of "Why?"

Why start a tale, based on historical fact, that is based on an impossible premise?

Why call it Justice for the Cardinal? When Wolsey wasn't the innocent victim.. he was just as manipulative as the rest of the courtiers at the time.. all vying to fulfill the King's bidding with the joint aim of improving their own lot. Wolsey hardly lived the pure and simple life of a clergyman. Lets be honest he was a devious man with illusions of grandeur, building himself a palace, taking from the church and kingdom alike to amass great wealth. I concur that he was blamed unfairly at the end but he wasn't exactly whiter than white and had got away with plenty himself. Justice certainly isn't the right word..

Cornwell's revenge is therefore to mess up epically himself and lose his own head without bringing Norfolk down. Well done!!

[Dayanara Ryelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

David Field's command of English history is frighteningly poor. I was tempted to dismiss it as "he wrote it in an alternate universe and forgot to say so", but when he names two different men as the father of the Princes in the Tower—and none of them are the right one!—he proves he's downright incompetent.

-----

Some years ago, the king known as Henry IV of England died, leaving two sons.

Henry (IV) Plantagenet (1367-1413) had four sons:

- Henry (V) Plantagenet, his successor
- Thomas Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence
- John Plantagenet, Duke of Bedford
- Humphrey Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester

But since Thomas Cromwell is telling the tale of the Princes in the Tower, it should be Edward IV, who did have two sons.

All the sons of Richard of York were dead.

This is an extremely confusing sentence.

- At the time of the Princes, the late Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York had one remaining son. You just acknowledged that he's alive and the Duke of Gloucester.
- Richard Plantagenet, who was the Duke of Gloucester, not York, had one legitimate son (Edward) who wouldn't be dead for another few months to a year at that point. His other son, John, didn't die 'til 1499.
- Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York (Edward's son), was married, but still too young to have children

I assume the author is referring to the first one, but he contradicts himself by saying that Duke Richard's sons are dead when his son King Richard is on the throne.

[Henry Stafford, Duke of] Buckingham was Henry Tudor’s half-brother, through Margaret Beaufort.

So Margaret magically has another child, even though she was damaged from giving birth at thirteen?

Oh, wait...David failed to acknowledge that there was a second Margaret Beaufort that was Henry's mother! (He's only getting a quarter as much scorn for this one, because I had no idea there were two Margaret Beauforts until just now.) And oh my Goddess, they were also first cousins!

Henry Stafford's mother was Margaret Beaufort-Stafford-Dayrell and his wife was her first cousin, Margaret Beaufort-Tudor-Stafford-Stanley.

So no, Henry Tudor did not have any half brothers, because Henry Stafford was his stepfather!

-----

YIKES, my head is in a knot! ⭐⭐⭐ as a default, since I don't know yet if the story is bad. (These mistakes were all in chapter three.)

+++++

Near the End

Not too many mistakes, but Goddess almighty, if I read the word "cock" one more time, I'm going to scream! Don't get me wrong: I had no illusions about politeness in that era, but Field seems to enjoy making his characters crude for the sake of being edgy (or some stupid shit). Down to ⭐ just for that.

...four-year-old Elizabeth holding the ‘chrisom’ baptismal cloth in place while the holy water was sprinkled on Edward’s head.

Chrism is not a cloth, you doddering moron! If you're going to pretend to know anything about Catholicism (or Anglicanism), at least do your research!

It's holy oil used in religious ceremonies: baptism, confirmation, holy orders, the anointing of Christian monarchs and the consecration of sacred objects. (Not to be confused with the oil of the sick, which is used exclusively in last rites.)

+++++

I don't know why I keep reading Field's books. I suspect I enjoy making myself annoyed.

[Kathy Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a challenge I’m doing this year- 3 books with Cardinal. I did not realize this was a series. It’s hard to star mid way thru, but I know the history pretty well. It was a very engaging book. It was history, but he made the characters jump off the page. I love his writing style and he kept the book moving. I went and bought the whole series! I will check out other books by him.

[Mike Bradbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cracking good historical read

I’ve only just started reading The Tudor Saga Series, after reading the first two books it’s was a pleasant surprise to find Justice for the Cardinal even more enjoyable.

This series of books goes from strength to strength in my humble opinion and I wholeheartedly recommend reading the series.

[susan green · Rating 3 out of 5]

History rewritten?

I liked this book as a work of fiction but I was annoyed by the fiction too.
Henry 8th is middle-aged and desperate for a make heir.
This book covers wives 2,3 and 4 and ends with henry finishing number 5.
A good read but not his best.

[Beverly Bigmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

Yes an act of fiction, but how are we to know the truth behind the tales of this time in history. This was an enjoyable way to spend chilly winter afternoons. That is the third down in the series now to number four.

[Alan Veren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and very Enjoyable. His mixing of history and storytelling makes for an interesting view of how it might have happened!

[Amy McElroy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third in the Tudor Saga series and the first time I've been disappointed.

I read and reviewed the first two earlier this year and quite enjoyed them but this one was frustrating.  It picks up from the end of the second book. Cardinal Wolsey is dead and Thomas Cromwell is seeking revenge against those he blames for the cardinals downfall and death, namely Anne Boleyn and Norfolk.

Within the first few chapters I nearly gave up.  The prince's in the Tower are referred to as the children of Henry IV rather than Edward IV. Anne Boleyn' s father is named on more than one occasion as George Boleyn oh and the Duke of Buckingham is referred to as the half brother of Henry Tudor via Margaret Beaufort! Yes Buckinghams mother was named Margaret Beaufort but it's not the same one and anyone with the slightest interest in Tudor history knows Margaret Beaufort, Henry Tudors mother had no other children after suffering a horrendous child birth. The two Margarets were cousins but are in no way the same person.

I was also disappointed by the amount of swearing in this one. Please correct if I'm wrong but I've never read anything where Henry VIII would say "f***k" a lot! I didn't even think that word was around then but I am happy to learn otherwise if anyone knows?

Anyway back to the story. There is a fictional character introduced in this one named Richard Ashton who is believed to be the grandson of Perkin Warbeck who some at court believe was really Richard Duke of York who actually survived the Tower.
Ashcroft is befriended by Cromwell in his mission for revenge and finds himself bedding Lady Rochford.

As we all know Cromwell got his revenge against Anne Boleyn but ends up with the same fate whilst Ashcroft stays away from the court he has begun to hate.

As noted I was disappointed with this for the errors but I persevered and will be reading the next instalment in hopes it is better!

[Kathryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible book. This is an historical era that is so known. Why did the author feel it was necessary to change the historical record.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read