Hillary Mantel’s Wolf Hall is the first in a trilogy of historical novels depicting life in the court of King Henry VIII. The story takes place in England during the tumultuous 1520s, and is told from the perspective of Thomas Cromwell, one of the king’s most trusted advisors. Mantel conducted extensive research to ensure historical authenticity and continuity, providing a rich account of the events leading up to the beginning of the English Reformation. Wolf Hall brings these events to life, illustrating that all of history is alive with possibility. While the past may seem set in stone, it is comprised of moments and actions that turned the tide of history forever.

Wolf Hall offers a different perspective on Thomas Cromwell, who is usually depicted as calculating and power-hungry. Thomas is the son of Walter, an abusive, drunk blacksmith. After a vicious beating, young Thomas escapes his father’s cruelty by running away to the continent to seek his fortunes. He becomes a soldier, a merchant, and a lawyer, developing prodigious linguistic and business skills. He returns to England and begins to establish his fortune. He marries Liz Wykys and has three children: Gregory, Anne, and Grace.

Due to his prowess in business and law, Thomas makes his way into the employment and confidence of Cardinal Wolsey, Lord Chancellor to King Henry VIII. Concerned with the lack of an heir, the king wishes to annul his marriage with Katherine of Aragon and to marry Anne Boleyn. He assigns Wolsey the task of arranging this divorce with the Catholic Church, which controls England and most of Europe.

In the course of carrying out Wolsey’s orders, Thomas is introduced into the company of the court, coming into conflict with historical figures such as Thomas More. Religious belief is high at this time, and many oppose the idea of the king’s divorce. Henry’s case rests on the assertion that Katherine consummated her marriage with Arthur, Henry’s dead elder brother, to whom she was married first. After more than twenty years, this is difficult to prove.

Cardinal Wolsey fails at his task. The king, Anne Boleyn, and public opinion turn against him. Thomas is steadfast in his support for Wolsey, even risking his own ruination after the cardinal is accused of treason. Thomas loses his wife and two daughters to illness. Wolsey dies in transit to London, where he was to be punished.

Thomas’ loyalty to Wolsey endears him to the king. After the cardinal’s death, Thomas’ fortunes actually rise. The task of arranging the annulment now falls to him. As Thomas works his political machinations, he builds a vast network of contacts and spies. Concern and conflict rise over the birth of the Protestant Revolution, spurred on by William Tyndale’s translations of the Bible into English. Thomas More, Henry’s Lord Chancellor, persecutes readers of Tyndale and those accused of being Protestants on a mass scale.

Thomas becomes closer and closer with King Henry and Anne Boleyn. While he is not a nobleman himself, he is a vital part of the court. This causes some friction between him and characters such as the Duke of Norfolk. The king meets with King Francis of France to help garner favor from Pope Clement. Henry no longer wants to wait for the Pope’s verdict on his annulment. He marries Anne Boleyn, who is coronated as queen.

The solution that Thomas proposes to Henry’s problem is the Act of Supremacy. This would make Henry the supreme sovereign power in the kingdom, removing the need to appeal to the pope: he could legally end his own marriage. Thomas is given a series of political promotions due to his usefulness and closeness with Henry, including displacing his rival Stephen Gardiner as Master of Scrolls.

Thomas must deal with the public’s ill opinion of Anne and the king’s new marriage. Elizabeth Barton, a nun who claims to be a prophetess, rises in popularity after predicting Henry’s death. She and her followers are found to be frauds and are executed.

Anne Boleyn gives birth to a girl, the future Queen Elizabeth. Henry’s hopes of a male heir are thwarted. When she becomes pregnant again, she delivers a stillborn child. Henry begins to have eyes for another woman.

Thomas More, a devout Catholic, refuses to take the Oath of Supremacy. This makes him a traitor and he is locked in the Tower of London. No amount of effort on Thomas’ part can convince More to take the oath. Despite his popularity as a scholar, philosopher, and statesman, More is executed for treason.

The novel ends with Thomas planning the itinerary for the visits the king’s court will make that fall. Thomas has his eyes set on Wolf Hall, the residence of the Seymour family. He has his eye on Jane Seymour, one of the court’s ladies-in-waiting.