Godfrey Edmund Turton

This is an historical novel about the life of Thomas Cranmer, the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury. It is written in the first person, in the style of an autobiography. It is a fascinating account of the politics and intrigue at the Court of Henry VIII and written in lovely clear English in the old style. I was prompted to read it having just read C. J Sansom's historical novel, Revelation, which takes place at the same time and in which Cranmer is an active character. In Turton's book other notables include Cardinal Wolsey, Anne Boleyn, Cromwell, Catherine Parr, Thomas More, the Seymours and the Boleyns.
So far as I am aware this book is out of print. It was published in 1967 and I found it in a used bookstore in London, England. Given the current popularity of historical fiction about the Tudors, a reprint might be successful. It is certainly well written (Turton was a scholar) but is still very entertaining and readable. I highly recommend it.… (meer)