"Henry VIII, renowned for his command of power and celebrated for his intellect, presided over one of the most magnificent - and dangerous - courts in Renaissance Europe. Never before has a detailed, personal biography of this charismatic monarch been set against the cultural, social, and political background of his glittering court and the splendor of his many sumptuous palaces.

Alison Weir brings to vibrant life the turbulent, complex figure of the King, who emerges as a fully rounded and realistic personality, not the two-dimensional caricature of popular misconception. Packed with colorful description and anecdotal evidence, the narrative also offers controversial new theories based on sources that have until now been overlooked."--BOOK JACKET.