Henry VIII: King and Court

By: Alison Weir

Narrated by: Phyllida Nash

This magnificent biography of Henry VIII is set against the cultural, social and political background of his court - the most spectacular court ever seen in England - and the splendour of his many sumptuous palaces. An entertaining narrative packed with colourful description and a wealth of anecdotal evidence but also a comprehensive analytical study of the development of both monarch and court during a crucial period in English history. As well as challenging some recent theories, it offers controversial new conclusions based on contemporary evidence that has until now been overlooked. This is a triumph of historical writing which will appeal equally to the general listener and the serious historian.

©2001 Alison Weir (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

Thorough and entertaining

I love how this book focused not only on the life of Henry but also provided details about court life and the management of his households

Excellent

Would you listen to Henry VIII: King and Court again? Why?

Simply on of the best audiobooks I've enjoyed.Ms. Nash's narration alone is worth the purchase price.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Henry VIII

Which character – as performed by Phyllida Nash – was your favorite?

Ms. Nash gives life to all.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The courage Anne Boleyn displayed as she met her death was quite moving.

Great Book - Horrid Narration

I have this book in paperback form and it's an excellent book. However, I think Phyllida Nash is a terrible narrator. She highs and lows her words. Usually, each sentence starts out high and strong but as the sentence goes on, her voice is so low, her words clipped, that I can't hear what she's saying even though my computer's volume is at 100% and iTunes volume is at 100%.

This takes away all enjoyment from this wonderful book. I've noticed that the other books written by Alison Weir have a different narrator. I'm going to return this audiobook and will buy the others.

Very disappointed!

Casual overview of courtly life under Henry VIII

The first 2/3 of this book give extraordinary detail of the structure, architecture and material elements of King Henry’s court. At about the halfway point I hoped those details would cede to more delving into the details and relationships to the key players. There is little in the way of analysis of Henry and Wolsey- and Cromwell- and Cranmer. Some interesting passages regarding the dynamic with the wives but very little depth and analysis you would hope for in a biography of this length.
Don’t get me wrong, Weir is a fabulous writer and has researched her topics extensively, but personally I feel the minutia of dinnerware and real estate holdings at the expense of historical and political analysis.

wonderful

I love most books in this genre. this was no exception. well written and accurate. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Complete and satisfactory

I love the collection of facts and history. The complexity of it all and the turns and twists of the courtiers are mesmerizing. Its a bigger picture of Henry VIII life and the tranformation of the English culture and society. Love it! Well read and very engaging.

A concise focus with tremendous detail

Prolific historian/novelist Alison Weir has placed most of her focus on the Tudors in her writing. Henry VIII and his wives have received her particular attention. This book is slightly off from the more salacious spotlight on the marriages. They receive mention but are not the book's core. This book revolves around the court of Henry VIII: the costs, the entourages and hangers-on, the internecine fights for the king's attention, and, yes, the wives.

Henry VIII is frequently given a negative perspective by historians and in popular culture. Some of that is earned. He was known for furious outbursts with nearly every courtier was often influenced by those who did not have his best interests at heart. Weir does nothing to dispel that reputation, but she does want the reader to see a more three-dimensional figure. Henry VIII was also a genius who, despite delegating the operation of the kingdom so that he could hunt and dance, was still thoroughly aware of what was happening in his kingdom. He was firm in countermanding decisions by ministers like Thomas Cromwell, corresponded with people both inside and outside England, and read widely. Despite his temper he was also sensitive enough to be known to cry over some events and deaths.

Perhaps what marked his reign as much as anything, however, was his willingness to spend money. He inherited a fortune from his thrifty father as well as regular income from tax collections. Weir does in-depth tallies, with conversions to current figures (such as 40 shillings equaling 600 pounds in today's currency), on the costs of the meals, the pageants, the jousts, the clothing, the castles, and feeding an entourage of hundreds of ranked individuals along with as many of their servants as they could sneak in. Even costs for flowers to Anne Boleyn are included along with her expenditures on shoes.

Weir is enough of a dramatic writer that the figures never overtake the narrative and there is plenty of time spent on the intrigues and oddities of court, such as the power held by Henry's "Groom of the Stool" who was to keep Henry company while he sat on the toilet and hand him a flannel cloth so his majesty (Henry was the first to use the term) could cleanse his backside. It was one of the most powerful positions in the kingdom.

The somewhat narrow topic allows Weir to be concise while still covering a reign of over 35 years. From his coronation as a handsome 6' 2" youth of 18 to his painful and bloated death in his mid-50s there are dozens of stories small and large that she manages to cover through the narrative.

Fantastic!

I loved this book! I have read/listened to many books on Tudor history - and especially those by Alison Weir, but this one stands out.

If you feel you are already very familiar with the life of Henry and the story of his wives this is a must. It gives a detailed glimpse into the life of his court and his private life. It’s a fascinating journey through his castles, his world and the people who surrounded him.

It’s one of those books that I wish would never end. And here it was brought to life by Phyllida Nash with her soothing voice and wonderful British accent.

Fascinating

A fabulous history of Henry VIII. So much detail - the amount of research this must have taken must have been a real labor of love.

Henry 8

I enjoyed the narrative. their were times when I found the book boring at the beginning. I didn't see the point of having to be told how much money Henry spent or any of the other courtiers or the French king. I felt it went to far and to much. Henry himself is very interesting. I learned a few things about him that I didn't know. the more you get into the book the more interesting it gets.