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  • Henry VIII: King and Court

  • By: Alison Weir
  • Narrated by: Phyllida Nash
  • Length: 25 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (749 ratings)
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Henry VIII: King and Court

By: Alison Weir
Narrated by: Phyllida Nash
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Summary

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

What listeners say about Henry VIII: King and Court

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

“England’s Nero”

In spite on the moderately positive evaluation of the last chapter, the facts speak for themselves. Henry was a narcissistic ruler who nearly bankrupted his country, never accepted any responsibility for his actions, changed his mind as the mood took him, and considered himself almost a god.
The account of his profligate spending, vainglorious wars, rapidly changing religious doctrines and vicious persecution of all those he considered less than servile- Catholic or Protestant - is damning. Nero, Caligula or Stalin?
The moral: power should never be vested in one person to that extent. This holds true today, as it did then.

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28 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Informative and absorbing biography

The author is not only a historical scholar but also an engaging writer as displayed by this impressive biography of a complex and erratic monarch. The Tudors have had many books written about them, and Henry VIII and his many wives have held particular fascination. The author has written a book about the wives and so has mainly only dealt with how the King’s relationships with them had far reaching consequences for the political and religious balance and the status and power of the various aristocratic factions.

The corrupting influence of absolute power is illustrated as Henry’s early days of promise deteriorated into excess, vanity and unpredictability. Power that encouraged the political and social rivalries among the aristocractic families and exposed the dangers of being close to the King.

Henry’s transformation from Defender of the Catholic Faith to excommunicated enemy of the Vatican and the ever-changing alliances and conflicts among the countries and monarchs of Europe are explored in detail.

The first few hours of the recording describe much domestic detail about Henry’s properties, his recreational past times and the social protocols of a monarchy and contain many lists and prices, which are illuminating if you are interested in how the aristocracy and royals lived at the time: which was very comfortably if you managed to keep you head!

I enjoyed this book and learnt more about this period in history aided by a lively style of writing and an excellent narrator.

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25 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting biography superbly narrated

Thank you Audible for having Phyllida Nash to read this. Alison Weir's text is well studied, clear and easy to follow and Phyllida Nash brings it to life.

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22 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting

An interesting listen about the old tyrant Henry VIII. An in-depth account of his life and times rather than his wives. Easy to dip in and out of and it’s ‘not dry’.

Worth a credit.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book .. puts you in King Henry's Court

Great book read by a fantastic narrator with amazing insight into King Henry's Court. A must for any history fan.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Like listening to a stationary inventory

What would have made Henry VIII: King and Court better?

An interesting narrative

Has Henry VIII: King and Court put you off other books in this genre?

No

Would you be willing to try another one of Phyllida Nash’s performances?

Maybe

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No

Any additional comments?

It mainly consisted of lists of assets and their current value. Dull dull dull

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Well researched

Well researched, interesting book. Didn’t like style of storyteller, she was boring and sounded in some parts as though she was laughing!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

I managed to listen to half.....

Not Weirs best by a long shot. With her third Six Queens Novel just published, I thought this would be a great listen to get me back in the Tudor frame of mind.

It’s non fiction but at times links appeared implausible and verging on fictional. I do think Weir’s fiction is exceptional and was frankly bored with this account of Henry VIII Court. Dry and then felt like fiction at times. Many other much better books to read so I am moving on.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Tudors

As I listened, the more I thought this is the tudors, the series, almost word for word

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

lots of detail

wonderful narrator, lots of detail, maybe too much about the court but hey, that's the title. you can follow the various lesser know characters thru history- the wives are in reasonable detail, I guess as a whole it's fairly balanced. would read again in a few years

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2 people found this helpful