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rpych2's review against another edition
3.0
The thing that sticks out about this book was that despite being shorter than 300 pages, it was dense. There were so many details about so many different people that it was really hard to keep track of it all. I’m sure it worked much more for history students, but for a person that is more casually interested it was too much at times.
kathleenww's review against another edition
3.0
This book was an ARC.
I have a fairly avid interest in Henry VIII and especially the history of the Church in England. So I began this book with an open attitude towards this subject matter: Henry's divorce. Unfortunately, this author lost me pretty quickly. So many cronies of both the King and the Pope, the intensive description of their lives and behaviors and how they all interact...it was too much for my tiny mind! This is clearly a book written for someone much smarter than myself. I just couldn't force myself to finish it, sadly. It couldn't hold my interest, I was constantly rereading and trying to comprehend or even remember what I'd just read (again.) Clearly, this book is for the academic set, not for the average reader. And I do consider myself an above average reader!
I would not say this book is poorly written, but I might suggest that for a wider audience, the writing might be a little dry. I give it three stars because it is obviously passionately researched and I'm going to go ahead and split the difference.
I have a fairly avid interest in Henry VIII and especially the history of the Church in England. So I began this book with an open attitude towards this subject matter: Henry's divorce. Unfortunately, this author lost me pretty quickly. So many cronies of both the King and the Pope, the intensive description of their lives and behaviors and how they all interact...it was too much for my tiny mind! This is clearly a book written for someone much smarter than myself. I just couldn't force myself to finish it, sadly. It couldn't hold my interest, I was constantly rereading and trying to comprehend or even remember what I'd just read (again.) Clearly, this book is for the academic set, not for the average reader. And I do consider myself an above average reader!
I would not say this book is poorly written, but I might suggest that for a wider audience, the writing might be a little dry. I give it three stars because it is obviously passionately researched and I'm going to go ahead and split the difference.
helenephoebe's review against another edition
3.0
Review - This book offers a very different view of the divorce of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. Instead of seeing it from Henry's perspective only this book looks at it from the Vatican end and what the English ambassadors had to cope with while in Italy at this trying time in politics and diplomacy. Perhaps because it isn't an area I am particularly interested in (I often get confused with the Papacy) I didn't enjoy this as much as perhaps I should have.
General Subject/s? - Tudors / Henry VIII / History / Vatican
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 15/20
General Subject/s? - Tudors / Henry VIII / History / Vatican
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 15/20
sarahbryson's review against another edition
4.0
I have read a great deal into Henry VIII’s “Great Matter”, the King’s desire for an annulment from his first marriage to Queen Katherine of Aragon. These books have always looked at the matter from a purely English perspective, the English diplomats that were sent to Rome, their letters and correspondence and their view. Yet Catherine Fletcher’s book gives a whole new light to the happenings behind the scenes of Henry VIII’s Great Matter. In her book she examines a key player in these events, Gregorio Casali, an Italian diplomat that was hired to represent Henry VIII’s interests in the Vatican. As an Italian spending much of his time at the Vatican or Europe, Gregorio Casali presents a new perspective of the happenings of Henry VIII’s Great Matter.
Catherine Fletcher’s book charts the years from 1527 to 1536, in which unfolded a great time of uncertainty and upheaval in England. Henry VIII had fallen in love with Anne Boleyn and feeling uncertain about his marriage to Katherine of Aragon he sought an annulment of that marriage. England was a Catholic nation and under the rule and guidance of the Pope, at that time the Pope being Pope Clement VII. All matters of spiritual and religious concern were referred to the Pope and thus started Henry’s six year campaign to have his marriage annulled so that he may marry Anne Boleyn – this is known as Henry VIII’s “Great Matter”.
While many books on the subject have focused upon the English diplomats and ambassadors sent to Europe Fletcher’s book looks at one man, Gregorio Casali, who was at the heart of the very matter. An Italian who held strong family ties throughout Europe, Casali was hired as an ambassador to aid in the furthering of Henry VIII’s case. Fletcher studies often overlooked personal and diplomatic letters written by Casali to members of the English court. Through these letters and records of Casali’s actions Fletcher pieces together a deeper insight and understanding of what exactly was happening at the Vatican and in Rome during this period of history. We are also able to see how the sack of Rome and the influence of Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor played an enormous part in the reasons against Henry VIII obtaining his desired annulment.
Fletcher also gives a fantastic look at what life as an ambassador was like during this period of time. It was a costly and dangerous occupation in which men sometimes lost their lives. Not only were the routes from England to Rome quite dangerous due to weather and terrain there were also bandits and others along the road always ready for a quick attack. Fletcher also shows the huge financial strain put upon ambassadors. They were required to represent their King (in Casali’s case he was to represent Henry VIII’s interest in Rome). He therefore was required to entertain guests, have lavish meals, have fellow diplomats and ambassadors reside in his home and also to bribe and use whatever means possible to get Henry VIII’s wishes across. Often money was not quickly forthcoming from England and thus Casali had to use a great deal of his own income to further Henry VIII’s cause.
In her book Fletcher also looks at the personal life of Casali, his triumphs, his failures, his family and financial troubles. Fletcher gives an open and honest portrayal of Casali and she recognises that while he achieved many great things he also made some terrible decisions. He was essentially a man charged with an impossible task and at the end of the day Casali did all he could, often at his own and his families expense, to aid in Henry VIII’s cause.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would most heartedly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about Henry VIII and especially his “Great Matter”. Fletcher gives a previously unexplored view of Henry’s annulment cause and she shows a very different side of what Europe was like during their period in time. Casali was a fascinating man and did a great deal on behalf of Henry VIII. Fletchers research is absolutely meticulous and it is clear to the reader she has spent a great deal of time researching her book. Honestly I am surprised that other historians have not explored Casali’s efforts as, especially in the early period, he was quite an important man on the inside of Henry VIII’s case.
This is a fantastic book, easy to read and packed with previously unwritten information regarding Henry VIII’s “Great Matter”. It is most certainly a must have for any Tudor bookshelf!
Catherine Fletcher’s book charts the years from 1527 to 1536, in which unfolded a great time of uncertainty and upheaval in England. Henry VIII had fallen in love with Anne Boleyn and feeling uncertain about his marriage to Katherine of Aragon he sought an annulment of that marriage. England was a Catholic nation and under the rule and guidance of the Pope, at that time the Pope being Pope Clement VII. All matters of spiritual and religious concern were referred to the Pope and thus started Henry’s six year campaign to have his marriage annulled so that he may marry Anne Boleyn – this is known as Henry VIII’s “Great Matter”.
While many books on the subject have focused upon the English diplomats and ambassadors sent to Europe Fletcher’s book looks at one man, Gregorio Casali, who was at the heart of the very matter. An Italian who held strong family ties throughout Europe, Casali was hired as an ambassador to aid in the furthering of Henry VIII’s case. Fletcher studies often overlooked personal and diplomatic letters written by Casali to members of the English court. Through these letters and records of Casali’s actions Fletcher pieces together a deeper insight and understanding of what exactly was happening at the Vatican and in Rome during this period of history. We are also able to see how the sack of Rome and the influence of Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor played an enormous part in the reasons against Henry VIII obtaining his desired annulment.
Fletcher also gives a fantastic look at what life as an ambassador was like during this period of time. It was a costly and dangerous occupation in which men sometimes lost their lives. Not only were the routes from England to Rome quite dangerous due to weather and terrain there were also bandits and others along the road always ready for a quick attack. Fletcher also shows the huge financial strain put upon ambassadors. They were required to represent their King (in Casali’s case he was to represent Henry VIII’s interest in Rome). He therefore was required to entertain guests, have lavish meals, have fellow diplomats and ambassadors reside in his home and also to bribe and use whatever means possible to get Henry VIII’s wishes across. Often money was not quickly forthcoming from England and thus Casali had to use a great deal of his own income to further Henry VIII’s cause.
In her book Fletcher also looks at the personal life of Casali, his triumphs, his failures, his family and financial troubles. Fletcher gives an open and honest portrayal of Casali and she recognises that while he achieved many great things he also made some terrible decisions. He was essentially a man charged with an impossible task and at the end of the day Casali did all he could, often at his own and his families expense, to aid in Henry VIII’s cause.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would most heartedly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about Henry VIII and especially his “Great Matter”. Fletcher gives a previously unexplored view of Henry’s annulment cause and she shows a very different side of what Europe was like during their period in time. Casali was a fascinating man and did a great deal on behalf of Henry VIII. Fletchers research is absolutely meticulous and it is clear to the reader she has spent a great deal of time researching her book. Honestly I am surprised that other historians have not explored Casali’s efforts as, especially in the early period, he was quite an important man on the inside of Henry VIII’s case.
This is a fantastic book, easy to read and packed with previously unwritten information regarding Henry VIII’s “Great Matter”. It is most certainly a must have for any Tudor bookshelf!
damc's review against another edition
3.0
familiar story of henry’s divorce from catherine / break from rome told from a new perspective - his ambassador at the vatican, gregorio casali. a little dry in the telling but interesting nonetheless.
caidyn's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
As a huge Tudor nerd, I enjoyed this different angle on something I've read about many times.
aprilbosworth's review against another edition
2.0
While an interesting perspective on the divorce of Henry VIII, the book mostly dwelt on the Roman ambassadors and their various intrigues. I didn't find that the two main characters really had much to do with Henry or his wives. It was more of the tangled webs of politics in Italy at about that time. I left the book unconvinced that the main characters had much influence at all on the proceedings of the divorce. It was a little better than simply a historical timeline, but was unsatisfying as an inspection of interesting people.
kbuchanan's review against another edition
3.0
Got a copy of this one through the Early Reviewers group on LibraryThing. Informative and detailed (perhaps too much so, at times), but could use some tighter organization. A bit of a different take on a much-told story.
shivvyslibrary's review
4.0
This book looks at in fine detail an untold story from the most infamous divorce of British history; the divorce of Henry VIII from his long-suffering wife; Catherine of Aragon. However, this book does follow the divorce, but not from the perspective of Henry or his ministers, but from someone who was HIGHLY important in the discussions, although they are unknown. This important figure is called Gregorio Casali, and the book follows him and his family through the divorce and the break from the Vatican and the Catholic Church.
It was a well-researched book and it taught me more about a figure who for some reason, is never mentioned in the history books when he was an important diplomat for Henry VIII! It was a nice change to read a different perspective on his well-documented and well-written about subject.
I did enjoy this book towards the end, however I will admit, at the start of the book, I did find it quite hard to get into! It is not because I did not like it, but because I was quite busy with work. I was constantly stopping and starting whilst reading the book, which didn't help. Also, with how detailed and intricate this book is, I was trying to get my head around all these new names, and trying to follow the book.
Although, overall this is a well-researched and well-written book on a subject which is written about, but not in the perspective of an unknown diplomat. It is a great book to read if you love Tudor history and if you like reading about the divorce of Henry VIII.
It was a well-researched book and it taught me more about a figure who for some reason, is never mentioned in the history books when he was an important diplomat for Henry VIII! It was a nice change to read a different perspective on his well-documented and well-written about subject.
I did enjoy this book towards the end, however I will admit, at the start of the book, I did find it quite hard to get into! It is not because I did not like it, but because I was quite busy with work. I was constantly stopping and starting whilst reading the book, which didn't help. Also, with how detailed and intricate this book is, I was trying to get my head around all these new names, and trying to follow the book.
Although, overall this is a well-researched and well-written book on a subject which is written about, but not in the perspective of an unknown diplomat. It is a great book to read if you love Tudor history and if you like reading about the divorce of Henry VIII.
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