Books read and revised Nov 2019

1. Tudors: The History of England Volume II by Peter Ackroyd  (Author)

The second volume I have read in this excellent series goes from Henry VIII's accession to the death of Elizabeth. So this is Reformation and the beginning of a superpower. One gets a real insight into he characters of four monarchs and the changes in Reformation England. Ackroyd writes history in lively style and he shows a capable understanding of Reformation theology. He left me thinking Henry a tyrant, Catherine of Aragon very badly treated, Anne Boleyn probably guilty of adultery, Mary a sad figure, Elizabeth the wise who would not allow deviation publicly from her views, especially debates on religions. A great summary if the 16th century.

2. Civil War: The History of England Volume III (History of England Vol III) by Peter Ackroyd  (Author)

This volume would be better titled, 'The follies of the Stuarts'. It covers 1603, the accession of James I, to the flight of James II in 1688. It gives insight into the lives and characters of four kings and the providentialist Lord Protector, Cromwell. James was a bisexual Scot with a lavish and immoral court. His legacies are a transformative Bible translation and the divine right of kings which led to civil war under his son, Charles I. Charles was a pious, moral, political incompetent who paid the price of his folly with his head. Charles II was welcomed back but proved an immoral liar who could not be trusted. He dallied with the French and converted secretly to Roman Catholicism. His brother James was more austere and responsible but his passion for Roman Catholicism was his undoing. Well written but being a history of England it is light on evens in Scotland.

3.Thicker Than Water (Jessica Daniel Series) by Kerry Wilkinson by Kerry Wilkinson  (Author)

A reasonable whodunit with clues as to the solution.

4.The Pure In Heart: Simon Serrailler Book 2 by Susan Hill  (Author)

A crime novel centering on a kidnap but not a whodunit or thriller. Deal's with the shattering effects on a family when a child is kidnapped. Also the question of euthanasia and Christian care for the incurable.

5.The Heretic: 1536 Who Will Survive the New World Order? by Henry Vyner-Brooks  (Author)

I think the heretic of the tile is an Anabaptist Norfolk mother but it could be he hero of the novel, a former Hospitalier knight and Crusader now a monk in an abbey facing dissolution. Well written as to life in Norfolk at the time but rather far fetched with young brothers being swiftly trained to enter a royal tournament and joust. The author's sympathies seem to be with he Anabaptists with heir separation on church from state.

6.Foundation: The History of England Volume I by Peter Ackroyd  (Author)

From pre-history to HenryVII. We learn about kings but also about the social history the is the lives of ordinary people. One major omission is the only English oboe giving Henry II permission t invade Ireland and bring he Celtic church here under Rome. This has such a major effect in subsequent centuries that it should be included.