The Private Life of Thomas Cromwell by Caroline Angus

 Caroline Angus paints a sympathetic portrait of Thomas Cromwell, in which he becomes almos,t likeable.In previous decades, Cromwell has been regarded as rather a monster - corrupt, greedy and ruthless - but some of today's historians show another side of him. Here he is shown as being generous to his many friends and his family, enjoying entertaining, and as the true founder of the Anglican church. It's certainly interesting to have this new view of him.

Cromwell came from the family home of a beer seller,, making his way to become a lawyer and merchant in the Italian community of London, and then on to the very highest echelons of society, serving King Henry VIII. 'Quick, intelligent, and charming', he fell on his feet in Italy working as a legal clerk for a prominent Italian family, where he was influenced by Machiavelli. Through hard work, connections with aristocrats such as the Grey's and wiliness, he rose to be indispensible to the King, working on his Great Matter. But even the cleverest of men can fall from the top (especially when they work for a tyrant) as Cromwell was to find out.

This is an extremely enjoyable book, thoroughly researched, and easy to read, certainly much easier than Dairmaid MacCalloch's heavy tome which I am wading through at the moment. I liked seeing this other side of Cromwell, including his sympathy towards Princess Mary and his friendship with Chapuys. However, I felt that Caroline Angus rather glosses through his terrible treatment of Anne Boleyn, for which admirers of Anne can really never forgive him.

Caroline Angus's website is intriguing. I am interested in reading some of her other books.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.