Loved this, I knew little of Thomas Cromwell, other than a mostly poor reputation, and I became quickly enamored with him in reading the trilogy. I hadn’t read any other accounts of him that I recall, or he didn’t leave an impression in them. Charles Brandon the same. Loved hearing what you had read.
I enjoyed this so very much--I, too, was a library-loving young girl who was always coveting books which were meant for older patrons (checking out books written in German when I had yet to learn the language!). I had to laugh reading the bit about Cromwell trying to talk Norris into poisoning Katherine to appease the Old Gods--wow, SO odd.
Sharing the myriad 'versions' of Cromwell you've come across has given me a new outlook on some of the Wuthering Heights 'fan fiction' I've encountered and dismissed. While Heathcliff is entirely fictional, versions of him pop up in all manner of genre. I have always dismissed them; maybe it's time for me to read Wuthering Nights. No--I can't.
I now have a wonderful image in my head of you sitting at a table, head a-whirl with research, only for the dance to pause momentarily while you ponder Beginnings!
I was looking forward to this second part of your Cromwell story and it didn't disappoint. I love that you were so much into the adult historical fiction books when you were a young girl and where these ultimately lead you. I have to say I didn't know much about Charles Brandon prior to the Wolf Hall trilogy but he is a character that fascinates me and who I think I will read more about. Seeing Ben Miles play Cromwell would be amazing, now having heard his reading of it.
Libraries and later, cheap musty second hand books shops - that ability to wander freely picking up a book here, guided by covers… Thankyou for sharing your memories of these books.
I still have Plaidy's Young Elizabeth, which I remember as being reasonably accurate. I might dig it out! It definitely started me off on a lifelong interest in the Tudors
I had forgotten that I read Jean Plaidy novels when I was younger. So interesting how people mould history to fit their narrative. I somehow doubt if Cromwell was much like Mark Rylance’s portrayal.
Loved this, I knew little of Thomas Cromwell, other than a mostly poor reputation, and I became quickly enamored with him in reading the trilogy. I hadn’t read any other accounts of him that I recall, or he didn’t leave an impression in them. Charles Brandon the same. Loved hearing what you had read.
I enjoyed this so very much--I, too, was a library-loving young girl who was always coveting books which were meant for older patrons (checking out books written in German when I had yet to learn the language!). I had to laugh reading the bit about Cromwell trying to talk Norris into poisoning Katherine to appease the Old Gods--wow, SO odd.
Sharing the myriad 'versions' of Cromwell you've come across has given me a new outlook on some of the Wuthering Heights 'fan fiction' I've encountered and dismissed. While Heathcliff is entirely fictional, versions of him pop up in all manner of genre. I have always dismissed them; maybe it's time for me to read Wuthering Nights. No--I can't.
I now have a wonderful image in my head of you sitting at a table, head a-whirl with research, only for the dance to pause momentarily while you ponder Beginnings!
And for me to complain about his illegible handwriting!
I was looking forward to this second part of your Cromwell story and it didn't disappoint. I love that you were so much into the adult historical fiction books when you were a young girl and where these ultimately lead you. I have to say I didn't know much about Charles Brandon prior to the Wolf Hall trilogy but he is a character that fascinates me and who I think I will read more about. Seeing Ben Miles play Cromwell would be amazing, now having heard his reading of it.
Libraries and later, cheap musty second hand books shops - that ability to wander freely picking up a book here, guided by covers… Thankyou for sharing your memories of these books.
I still have Plaidy's Young Elizabeth, which I remember as being reasonably accurate. I might dig it out! It definitely started me off on a lifelong interest in the Tudors
I had forgotten that I read Jean Plaidy novels when I was younger. So interesting how people mould history to fit their narrative. I somehow doubt if Cromwell was much like Mark Rylance’s portrayal.
Brandon's handwriting is much neater than I imagined it to be. I love these windows into your own love of history.
Great read