The Cardinal : from the Sunday Times bestseller, the gripping new novel about the man behind the Tudor crown

Published 29/01/2026 | Paperback / softback,
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‘Alison Weir has this astonishing ability to make history come alive and jump right off the pages’ ? ?? ??’Thomas’s story is incredible’ ? ?? ??’A gripping tale of power and downfall, passion and principle, it is Alison Weir at her best’ ? ?? ??’Accessible and human’ ? ?? ??’Captivating and emotive…a must read for all lovers of Tudor history’ ? ?? ??Step into the thrill and intrigue of Tudor England and discover the secret life of Cardinal Wolsey in the rich, compelling new novel from Sunday Times bestseller Alison Weir.

‘A rich and textured portrait of Cardinal Wolsey’ THE TIMES’Nobody brings historical characters to life like Alison Weir’ TRACY BORMANAN EXTRAORDINARY RISE TO POWER. A TRAGIC FALL FROM GRACE.

It begins with young Tom Wolsey, the bright and brilliant son of a Suffolk tradesman, sent to study at Oxford at just eleven years old.

It ends with a disgraced cardinal, cast from the King’s side and estranged from the woman he loves.

The years in between tell the story of a scholar and a lover, a father and a priest. From the court of Henry VIII, Tom builds a powerful empire of church and state. At home in London, away from prying eyes, he finds joy in a secret second life.

But when King Henry, his cherished friend, demands the ultimate sacrifice, what will Wolsey choose?Alison Weir’s riveting new Tudor novel reveals the two lives of Cardinal Wolsey, a tale of power, passion and ambition.

PRAISE FOR ALISON WEIR’S TUDOR FICTION’This is where the story of the Tudors begins’ TRACY BORMAN’History has the best stories and they should all be told like this’ CONN IGGULDEN’As always, Alison Weir is ahead of the curve – and at the top of her game’ SARAH GRISTWOOD’Weir is excellent on the little details that bring a world to life’ GUARDIAN’Profoundly moving… lingers long after the last page’ ELIZABETH FREMANTLE