I want to first thank NetGalley for the digital ARC. This was a great read. I always say there are two sides to every story. Movies have always portrayed Wolsey as a villain somewhat and this was a different interpretation and i was glad to have read it. Will anxiously await part 2. A must read for any Tudor fanatic

A kind of romp (needing copyediting for weak grammar btw) .. stilted dialogue at times but zest of following Carter of two Thomases .. Howard and wolsey .. in Tudor England good fun if anachronistic.

I really enjoyed this book about the rise and fall of cardinal Wolsey , the book is a good overview and though I would have liked more detail, any lover of Tudor historical fiction would enjoy this

Thanks Net Galley before I read the book,I read the first book and enjoyed it,you don't have to read the first book to know about this book but I did! The history and the characters are so good and you feel you are there with Wolsey and Cromwell,what their love are like with the King and the Church! Very good history written its very important because this was the beginning of the Church and how it changed through time and history!I was able to follow this time in history very well and have to give credit where credit is due on the research that was done and I'm sure the hours that went into it! If you can, read the first book hate to see you cheated out of excellence in writing and storytelling!🙈🙉🙊 This is a 5 book series,the 3rd book is out,the 4th book will be out in October!

ince I happen to be a collector of anything Wolsey-related, I couldn't resist it when I saw this book on Netgalley, and I am very happy to have had the chance to read it. I love historical novels, particularly those that have to do with England during the period of Henry VII and VIII. I always find it interesting to see what an author will do with the surviving information we have about an historical figure, and in this case, I thought the author did an exquisite job of filling in the gaps.

This was a compelling read from the first page and never lost pace throughout. Although we have been left with a pretty decent biography of Thomas Wolsey, there are always unanswered questions, that sometimes seem better when answered through fiction. I liked the way the author approached this character and thought that he was represented just the way I would have imagined him.

There were a few areas where the author certainly used his right to artistic license, but I thought they played well with the storyline and weren't ridiculous or unnecessary if anything these moments added to the tension and heightened the interest-factor of the book.

Overall, I found this to be a fantastic read and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I was really interested in this book initially but I struggled to read it and get engaged throughout the story. I think it was because of the almost stream of consciousness style writing. It moved too swiftly from one thought to the next for me to really get drawn in.

This book delves in to the life of Thomas Wolsey as he builds a life for himself from the son of butcher to a Cardinal and the kings closest confidant. Along the way he made some powerful enemies who worked to bring him down, his only protection was the king and faithful Thomas Cromwell.

Wolsey was such a fascinating individual and I found David Field has researched this well, it is not just a fiction book it's based on fact with embellishment which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am very much looking forward to the next instalment!

I am a huge fan of historical fiction, especially the Tudor era so I was very excited to read this.

It is evident that Field is a historian due to the amount of detail woven into the fiction, and this to me set him apart from other writers of this genre.

It is always difficult when reading historical fiction as you already know the outcome, and I wasn’t as entertained getting from point A to B as I have been with other Tudor series.

All in all a worthy addition to the genre, but not enough new perspectives for me to consider a favourite.

‘Your ambition, as ever, precedes you …’

Thomas Wulcy (Wolsey) rose from comparatively humble origins to positions of power in the courts of the Tudor Kings Henry VII and Henry VIII. Henry VII recognised Wolsey’s administrative skills (especially as Master of the Rolls) and also used his skills on diplomatic errands. When Henry VIII came to the throne in 1509, he continued his father’s favour towards Wolsey. He named him royal almoner, then a canon of Windsor and the registrar of the Order of the Garter. Wolsey continued to acquire church appointments and then was made a Cardinal, Lord Chancellor of England and Archbishop of York. Henry VIII relied on him politically both in the domestic and international arenas. Given all this power, it is perhaps it is not surprising that Wolsey had enemies amongst the nobility. But Wolsey’s relationship with Henry VIII became fraught when Henry became determined to divorce his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.

In this novel, David Field paints a picture of a man of both great strengths and weaknesses. Wolsey was intelligent and administratively adept as well as being vain and venal. What caused his fall? His inability to secure an annulment of Henry’s marriage to Katherine of Aragon is perhaps the single most important factor. He had incurred the enmity of Anne Boleyn and her family, and his fall from favour was swift. Wolsey died while travelling back to London to face trial for treason.

I liked this novel and am looking forward to the third novel in Mr Field’s series which features Thomas Cromwell.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Oh how I appreciate authors willing to write historical novels that give some accurate accounts on the lives of individuals of the past. I never noticed how much I enjoyed history until discovering some of these authors, one of them being David Field. Although I had no idea this was a sequel when I requested this book, it does just fine as a stand alone; and the good news? There is another awesome book out there written by Mr. Field I can enjoy! Through David Fields story telling the reader is able to appreciate the life of Mr. Wolsey and feel sympathy for the man. Coming from a background of a humble butcher family to the position of almost nobility that had fed Wolsey's ego, making him live as a proud man; only to be stripped of it all, back to the meek and humble life he came from. Looking forward to reading the first book in this series, and anymore after "The King's Commoner".

Thank you Netgalley and Sapere Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A well written novel detailing the life and times of Thomas Wolsey – an ordinary boy who was a natural linguist at a time when education was limited even for the privileged, graduating from Oxford University at the age of 15, joined the church, rose to become Lord Chancellor of England and Archbishop of York as well as being a very close friend of Henry VIII
Thomas was an ambitious man and his rise to power was dramatic, but his fall from favour was swifter. He is a man that many I’ve heard of yet if you know the detail about. I am not sure how much artistic license there was in detailing the vanity and pride or the Ambitions of the man and also the excesses in which he lived – he was a Lover of fine food and copious quantities of wine, and it was Thomas Wolsey who created the opulent Hampton Court. I was somewhat surprised to discover that such an eminent man of the cloth had a mistress and fathered at least two children – but I believe this is historically accurate and perhaps not unusual for the time.
I enjoyed reading this, though I did find the middle a little slow and I would have liked a little more about the end of his life

Disclosure: I received an advance read a copy of this book free Via Netgalley. All opinions on my own.

First, I want to thank NetGalley and Sapere Books for an advanced e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion of the book.

This is the second book of David Field's I have read in the past month and I am thoroughly enjoying this author. The name of the book clearly tells you what the book is about and as I have stated before in other reviews, I love historical fiction and prefer more dialogue than narrative and David Field has the perfect balance of both.

For me, David Field presents Cardinal Wolsey in a different light, one actually feels some sympathy for the man (as a reader of many Tudor books I've NEVER felt that way about him before) in the way he presents the Cardinal while keeping the events factual.

A truly enjoyable book and would recommend to all lovers of this time period and Historical Fiction. I am looking forward to reading other David Field books!

4 stars

Thomas Wolsey was from humble origins, but rose to great power during King Henry VII and Henry VII's reigns. His father was a butcher, and there were those at court who looked down on him for this and never let Thomas forget it. But Thomas was also a very proud man – vain and avaricious for material goods and fine clothes. He was very intelligent, fluent in several languages and crafty. He made himself invaluable to the Kings, especially Henry VIII. This book deals mainly with Thomas' relationship with Henry VIII.

Henry was a difficult man with which to get along. He ran hot and cold, oft times on the same subject. One had to be very careful in their actions and speech to avoid the King's wrath. As he grew older, Henry became more fractious and volatile.

Henry sees Thomas' failure to secure a “divorce” from his first wife Katherine as Thomas' fault. (At the urging of Norfolk and his niece, Anne Boleyn.) While claiming to still be friends with Thomas, Henry still has him stripped of his offices and fine houses. Thomas is exiled to one of his homes that is owned by the Church. Thomas Cromwell, Wolsey's subordinate and friend remains close to him, keeping him informed about what is going on in Henry's court.

Based on forged documents, Thomas' world falls apart. Very ill and on his way to London – to the Tower presumably – he dies of a stomach ailment that his doctor calls a canker. Thomas Cromwell swears vengeance upon those who framed his friend Wolsey.

This is a well written and plotted novel of the time during which Cardinal Thomas Wolsey served King Henry VIII. Although much was left out, the book gives a good overview of Thomas' career. Some of the facts I had a little trouble with, but it was true that the Cardinal was vain, proud and had a very strong personality. Norfolk was a creep, Anne Boleyn was downright creepy in her disdain and dislike of Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell was loyal. Henry was depicted well in the book, for he was ill tempered at times, especially when he perceived a threat to his desires.

I want to thank NetGalley and Sapere Books for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting and informative book for me to read, enjoy and review.

Gosh what a fun book! I really like reading historical fiction particularly British based historical fiction. Something about reading all about the court intrigues really sets my imagination on fire.

The King's Commoner: The rise and fall of Cardinal Wolsey by David Field is the second book in The Tudor Saga Series. I did not realize that when I requested this title; I am glad I didn't because that may have stopped me from requesting it. The story is wholly contained in this volume and while there is no need to read the previous book, I intend to do so. I also intend to read the third and final book in the series and to check out other books by Mr. Field. He has an easy style to his writing. This is a quick, engaging read accessible to all ages.

I am familiar with the "story and characters" but still found the book to be entertaining so don't let your familiarity with the subject matter cause you to ignore this book. Mr. Field's theories are plausible and in no way seem contrived or ring false. I do hope he considers focusing his attention on Richard III as I am interested in what he has to say there. Perhaps he can give each especially controversial monarch their own book - that is something I would definitely read!

I can recommend The King'Commoner by David Field wholeheartedly. In fact, even if historical fiction or British history is not your usual genre, give it a try, you may be very pleasantly surprised. This is a great introduction to the genre (s).

I love to read about the Tudor-period, and so I was very happy to get another book into my hands that makes this possible. This time with another person in the spotlight: Thomas Wolcey, cardinal and king Henry VIII's chancellor.

This book is certainly a great read, and Wolsey is such an interesting character! At some points it could have done with a little more flourish between the (historical and political) facts and happenings, but at other times this was amply provided. And I love how David Field clearly put so much time into getting his facts straight!

This is the second book in his Tudor Saga series. We get to learn about Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and his climb to the top and his swift downfall. I love the Tudor period and I did learn some things I did not know about Cardinal Wolsey. I highly recommend and I am looking forward to the next book.