The King's Traitor

Reginald Pole was a favourite of Henry VIII before later enraging him, becoming known as the ‘King’s Arch Traitor’, and was once suggested as a potential husband to Mary. Forced into exile after surviving multiple attempts on his life, Pole was a key figure in Reformation Europe and Tudor England. Until now his story has been shrouded in mystery.

---

Reginald Pole lived through the reigns of three Tudor monarchs, yet is little known to most lovers of Tudor history. This book brings to life a man who became a cardinal and almost Pope; who so angered Henry VIII that a price was set on his head and attempts were made to kill him; and who was even once suggested as a prospective husband for Mary Tudor and before holding her hand during her short-lived and ultimately tragic reign. He and Mary, paired in the minds of many during their lives, died on the same day.

Who was Pole? Was he a man who lacked conviction in his beliefs, as some say? Was he a heretic as one Pope denounced him? Or was he simply a man who tried to do his best, whatever the cost to both his country and to his family?

Set against the background of a tumultuous half-century in England’s history, The King’s Traitor answers these questions and is a must read for those interested in the Tudor period.