The Cardinal

In this thrilling novel of friendship and betrayal at the royal court, the New York Times bestselling author of the

Six Tudor Queens series explores the rise of Thomas Wolsey, who was Henry VIII's chief advisor-until the

king accused him of treason.

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey enjoyed one of the most meteoric careers in history. His rise from humble beginnings

coincided with Henry VIII's ascension to the throne in 1509, when the king appointed him to his privy

council. The two grew to be cherished friends, and by 1515 Wolsey, now a cardinal, had become the controlling

figure in all matters of church and state, in spite of the jealous criticisms of the nobles, who resented him for

usurping what they saw as their role as the king's natural advisors. These were dangerous enemies to have.

Wolsey operated on an international stage and worked hard to broker universal peace. All was going dazzlingly

until Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn-the woman whom Wolsey would one day call "the night crow"-and

sought to end his marriage to his first wife, Katherine of Aragon. Swept up in the maelstrom of "the Divorce,"

Wolsey, who had successfully striven to give his master everything he wanted, found himself in an impossible

situation as he drew the ire of the queen, with his world crumbling around him.