Thomas cromwell biography book

What’s the obvious place to start if you’re looking for books on Thomas Cromwell, the historical figure?

That’s a complete no-brainer. Of all the books you could turn to, Diarmaid MacCulloch’s biography, Thomas Cromwell: A Life, is the place to start.

The book got rave reviews, including from Hilary Mantel. (Indeed, they have both spoken admiringly of each other’s work and and have even done a double act interview, talking about Cromwell.)

Previously MacCulloch has written histories of the Reformation and of Christianity, and a biography of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer.

Thomas more biography

He’s particularly good on Cromwell’s religion and the religious dimension of his statecraft. That is an aspect of the story that earlier constitutional historians, like Geoffrey Elton, underplayed, or saw as a subordinate aspect of the story.

He’s also fascinating on how Cromwell’s early career, working for Cardinal Wolsey, provided the perfect apprenticeship for his career as chi