“The past is a place, like any other, and you can visit it. You can walk into it, and look around. But you can't stay.”
— Cromwell reflects on the past and his own history.
Archivist's Choice
Bring Up the Bodies
Hilary Mantel (2012)
Genre
Literary Fiction / Historical Fiction
Reading Time
10-12 hours
Key Themes
See below
Track Your Reading
Sign in to track this book
As Anne Boleyn's standing weakens and Henry VIII's interest shifts, Thomas Cromwell arranges her downfall, navigating court politics and personal ambition to secure the king's new bride.
Synopsis
Thomas Cromwell, chief minister to Henry VIII, again faces the dangers of court politics as the King's affections move away from Anne Boleyn. Henry wants a male heir and is unhappy with Anne's strong will and failure to have a son, so he looks for a way out of their marriage. Cromwell, who arranged Henry's divorce from Katherine of Aragon to marry Anne, must now orchestrate Anne's removal. He collects evidence, using rumors and accusations of adultery and incest, to build a case against the Queen and men said to be her lovers. The story follows Cromwell's political moves, his moral conflicts, and the fast, harsh trials that lead to Anne's conviction and execution. As Anne is held in the Tower, facing her end, Cromwell arranges for Jane Seymour to become the new queen, all while dealing with the personal and political cost of his actions.
Reading time
10-12 hours
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Atmospheric, Suspenseful, Introspective, Dark
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy deep dives into historical periods, character-driven narratives, and intricate political intrigue with a literary flair.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer fast-paced plot-driven thrillers or are not interested in detailed historical accounts of the Tudor era.
Plot Summary
A King's Discontent and a Queen's Precarious Position
The story begins with Thomas Cromwell seeing King Henry VIII's growing unhappiness with Queen Anne Boleyn. Despite the hard struggle to marry her and get a male heir, Anne has only had a daughter, Elizabeth, and several miscarriages. Her sharp mind and independent spirit, once attractive to Henry, now annoy him and alienate powerful groups at court. Cromwell, a clever political operator, notices the king's interest in Jane Seymour, a quiet lady-in-waiting. The recent death of Catherine of Aragon, Henry's first wife, frees the king from the guilt and political problems of his first divorce, but also removes a sympathetic person against whom Anne could define herself, leaving her more open to the court's dislike and Henry's changing moods.
Whispers and Omens: The King's Jousting Accident
During a jousting event, King Henry VIII falls badly and is unconscious for a scary amount of time. The court panics, fearing for his life and the country's stability without a male heir. Anne Boleyn, pregnant at the time, is very upset by this, which causes her to have another miscarriage, this time of a male fetus. This tragedy greatly harms her already weak position, confirming Henry's worst fears about her inability to provide a living son. Cromwell sees the king's deep disappointment and the increased rumors about Anne's 'bareness' and the 'curse' on their marriage, understanding that this event has decided Anne's fate in Henry's mind.
The Seeds of Conspiracy: Cromwell's Shifting Loyalties
King Henry, now believing his marriage to Anne is invalid and cursed, tells Thomas Cromwell to get rid of her. Cromwell, despite his past efforts to secure Anne's marriage, knows he must obey the king. He starts to quietly gather information and listen to rumors about Anne's past mistakes and current flirtations. He finds himself needing to make alliances with people he used to oppose, such as the conservative Catholic group led by the Duke of Norfolk and Stephen Gardiner, who want Anne to fall. This new order puts Cromwell in a morally difficult and dangerous spot, as he must arrange the destruction of a queen he helped to elevate.
Gathering Evidence: Accusations of Adultery and Incest
Cromwell uses his network of spies and informants, including people in Anne's household, to build a case against her. Initial accusations involve adultery, targeting musicians and courtiers close to the Queen. Mark Smeaton, a court musician, is arrested and tortured, confessing under pressure to having had sex with Anne. This confession opens the way for more accusations, leading to the arrests of Sir Henry Norris, Sir Francis Weston, and William Brereton, all gentlemen of the Privy Chamber. The most shocking accusation, however, is incest with her brother, George Boleyn, Lord Rochford, a charge meant to destroy her reputation and make her conviction certain.
The Arrests and Interrogations
The arrests of Mark Smeaton, Henry Norris, Francis Weston, and William Brereton cause shock waves at court. Cromwell personally oversees some interrogations, changing testimony and using fears to get confessions or statements that can be used against Anne. Smeaton's confession, taken under pressure and likely torture, becomes the main point. Henry Norris, a long-time friend of the King, strongly denies his guilt, as do Weston and Brereton, but Cromwell's constant pressure and the king's desire for a quick resolution ensure their fates. The accusations against George Boleyn, Lord Rochford, are hard to prove, relying on indirect evidence and the desperate testimony of his estranged wife, Lady Rochford, whose dislike for her husband is known.
Anne's Imprisonment in the Tower
On May 2, 1536, Queen Anne Boleyn is arrested and taken by boat to the Tower of London, the same place she entered as a queen-to-be. She is held in the royal apartments, but her surroundings offer little comfort as she deals with the sudden change in her fortune. Anne maintains her innocence, protesting the injustice and the baseless nature of the charges. During her imprisonment, she asks to see the king and her family, but her requests are denied. Her ladies-in-waiting, some of whom secretly report her words to Cromwell, observe her distress, her shifts between defiance and despair, and her growing understanding that her reign and her life are ending.
The Trials and Condemnations
The trials of Anne Boleyn and the men accused with her happen quickly. Mark Smeaton is tried first, his forced confession sealing his fate. The other four men – Norris, Weston, Brereton, and George Boleyn – are tried together on May 12th. Despite their good defenses and the lack of strong evidence, they are all found guilty of treasonous adultery and conspiring against the king. Anne's own trial happens on May 15th before a court of peers, including her uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, who leads the proceedings. She defends herself with dignity and intelligence, denying every charge, but the decision is already made. She is found guilty of adultery, incest, and treason, and sentenced to death by burning or beheading, as the king wishes.
Cromwell's Moral Quandary and Political Maneuvers
Throughout the planning of Anne's downfall, Thomas Cromwell has moments of moral thought and discomfort. He remembers Anne's kindness, her intelligence, and their shared intellectual interests, comparing them with the harsh necessity of his task. He knows he is sacrificing an innocent woman to serve the king's will and keep his own power. Despite these inner conflicts, he remains practical and harsh, making sure every legal and political angle is covered to get the convictions. He also uses this chance to increase his own influence and remove obstacles, such as the conservative group, by making them involved in Anne's destruction, thus tying them to his plans, at least for a time.
The Executions and Anne's Final Moments
On May 17, 1536, George Boleyn and the four other accused men are executed on Tower Hill. All maintain their innocence to the end, except for Mark Smeaton, who had confessed. Two days later, on May 19, Anne Boleyn is led to the scaffold inside the Tower grounds. She gives a calm and diplomatic final speech, acknowledging the law and the king, but not confessing guilt. Instead, she prays for Henry and asks for judgment to be made by God alone. She kneels, and a skilled executioner from Calais, using a sword, quickly performs the beheading. Her body is placed in an arrow chest and buried in the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula.
The Aftermath: A New Queen and Cromwell's Lingering Doubts
Hours after Anne Boleyn's execution, King Henry VIII and Jane Seymour are formally engaged, marrying just eleven days later. The court quickly adjusts to the new queen, forgetting Anne as fast as possible. Thomas Cromwell, having successfully managed this dangerous period, strengthens his position as the king's chief minister. However, despite his political success, he is troubled by the events, especially the injustice of Anne's conviction and the moral compromises he made. He thinks about how uncertain power is, the king's changing affections, and the heavy responsibility he has in shaping England's future, knowing his own fate is tied to Henry's unpredictable will.
Principal Figures
Thomas Cromwell
The Protagonist
Cromwell successfully orchestrates the downfall of Anne Boleyn, solidifying his power but also grappling with the moral cost of his actions and the brutal realities of court politics.
King Henry VIII
The Antagonist/Major Character
Henry moves from a charming but demanding husband to a tyrannical figure who ruthlessly discards a queen who can no longer serve his dynastic needs.
Queen Anne Boleyn
The Major Character
Anne experiences a swift and devastating fall from powerful queen to condemned traitor, facing her death with dignity and defiance.
Jane Seymour
The Supporting
Jane rises from a lady-in-waiting to become Henry VIII's new queen, observing Anne's downfall from a carefully maintained distance.
George Boleyn, Lord Rochford
The Supporting
George falls from a position of influence and favor alongside his sister, ultimately executed on false charges of incest and treason.
Duke of Norfolk (Thomas Howard)
The Supporting
Norfolk shifts from reluctant ally of the Boleyns to their accuser, solidifying his own position by condemning his niece.
Mark Smeaton
The Supporting
Smeaton is arrested, tortured into a false confession, and executed, serving as a pawn in Anne's destruction.
Lady Rochford (Jane Parker)
The Mentioned/Supporting
Lady Rochford's spiteful testimony contributes to the downfall of her husband and sister-in-law.
Stephen Gardiner
The Supporting
Gardiner, initially an opponent of Cromwell, becomes a temporary ally in the plot against Anne Boleyn, furthering his own conservative agenda.
Themes & Insights
The Nature of Power and Its Corrupting Influence
The novel shows how absolute power, especially King Henry VIII's, harms and controls the lives of everyone around him. Cromwell, despite his moral doubts, must become harsh to survive and have influence. The king's decision can elevate or destroy anyone, turning former friends into enemies and forcing people to compromise their ethics. This is clear in Cromwell's inner conflicts as he arranges Anne's downfall, recognizing the injustice but understanding that his actions are needed to keep his position and serve the king.
“For the king's pleasure, what can a man not do?”
Justice vs. Pragmatism (or Necessity)
A main conflict in the book is between true justice and practical politics. Cromwell knows that Anne Boleyn and the men accused with her are likely innocent of adultery and incest. However, the political need to give Henry a male heir and rid him of a queen he no longer wants overrides any idea of a fair trial or true justice. Cromwell's actions come from a cold calculation of what is needed to maintain stability and his own power, even if it means sacrificing innocent lives. The trials are a show of justice, a means to an end.
“Law is not justice. It is a set of rules. It is a method. It is a way of clearing the table.”
The Precariousness of Court Life and Royal Favor
The novel clearly shows the extreme instability and danger of life at the Tudor court. The king's favor is temporary, and one mistake or change in royal affection can lead to ruin, even death. Anne Boleyn's quick rise and even quicker, brutal fall show this. Cromwell constantly watches and analyzes these changes, knowing his own survival depends on his ability to predict and adapt to the king's changing moods and desires. The death of Catherine of Aragon, instead of making Anne's position stronger, actually made it more uncertain.
“Court is a place of whispers and echoes, where a man's fortune can turn on a breath.”
Gender and Power in a Patriarchal Society
The novel highlights the limited power and weakness of women, even queens, in a society run by men. Anne Boleyn, despite her intelligence and strong will, is ultimately disposable when she fails to have a male heir. Her ability to act is limited by the king's desires and society's expectations for women. Jane Seymour's rise, based on her quiet nature and perceived ability to have children, further supports the idea that women's value is tied to their ability to produce heirs and obey male authority.
“A woman's greatest gift is her fertility, and her only duty, to bear children.”
Memory and History
Mantel's novel explores the idea of memory, both personal and historical. Cromwell's inner thoughts are full of memories of his past, his teachers, and his interactions with Anne Boleyn, which influence his current actions and moral problems. The story also questions the official historical record, suggesting that the 'truth' of events like Anne's trial is often a story made to serve political goals. The reader sees Cromwell's private thoughts, offering a different story from public statements.
“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there. But it is also a present country, one you live in, one you never escape.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Stream of Consciousness / Interior Monologue
Narrative technique that immerses the reader in Cromwell's thoughts and observations.
Mantel masterfully uses Cromwell's interior monologue, often blurring the lines between direct speech and thought, to provide an intimate and complex view of the events. The narrative is heavily filtered through his perceptions, observations, and memories, allowing the reader to understand his calculations, moral quandaries, and the political intricacies of the court from his unique perspective. This device creates a sense of immediacy and psychological depth, making Cromwell a highly relatable and complex protagonist, despite his ruthless actions.
Third-Person Limited Omniscient (from Cromwell's perspective)
The narrative is almost exclusively filtered through Thomas Cromwell's viewpoint.
While not strictly first-person, the narrative maintains a very close, almost singular focus on Thomas Cromwell. The use of 'he' often refers to Cromwell, even when other men are present, forcing the reader to constantly align with his perspective. This tight narrative focus allows Mantel to explore the psychological nuances of Cromwell's character, his moral dilemmas, and his strategic thinking, making him the lens through which the entire story of Anne Boleyn's downfall is experienced. It also creates dramatic tension as the reader is privy to his calculations and fears.
Foreshadowing and Dramatic Irony
Hints of future events and the reader's awareness of historical outcomes.
The novel, being historical fiction, is inherently imbued with dramatic irony, as the reader generally knows the tragic outcome for Anne Boleyn. Mantel uses this to great effect, building tension through subtle foreshadowing of Anne's impending doom. Cromwell's observations and internal monologues often hint at the precariousness of Anne's position, the king's volatile nature, and the ultimate fate awaiting those who displease him. This creates a sense of dread and inevitability, even as Cromwell works to bring about that very end.
The Motif of the Hunt/Prey
Symbolic representation of the pursuit and destruction of Anne Boleyn.
The imagery of the hunt is a recurring motif throughout the novel, symbolizing the systematic and relentless pursuit of Anne Boleyn. Cromwell often thinks in terms of traps, snares, and the tracking of prey, reflecting the calculated nature of his work. Anne, once the hunter, becomes the hunted. This motif underscores the predatory nature of court politics, where individuals are constantly vying for power and willing to destroy others to achieve their aims. The execution itself is the culmination of this hunt.
The Shifting Identities of 'He'
Ambiguous pronoun usage that highlights Cromwell's central role and pervasive influence.
Mantel's distinctive use of the pronoun 'he' often refers to Cromwell even when other male characters are in the vicinity, sometimes causing momentary ambiguity for the reader. This stylistic choice is not accidental; it serves to reinforce Cromwell's omnipresence in the narrative and his central role in shaping the events. It subtly emphasizes that even when others are speaking or acting, Cromwell is the primary consciousness through which these events are being processed, observed, and often, orchestrated. It places the reader firmly within his mind.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“When you are a king, you are a god, and when you are a god, you are a law unto yourself.”
— Cromwell considers Henry VIII's absolute power and self-perception.
“We are all of us, in our own way, trying to find a place to stand.”
— Cromwell's internal thought about the universal human desire for security and belonging.
“You can learn to live with anything, if you have to. You learn to live with loss. You learn to live with grief. You learn to live with the idea that you are not the person you thought you were.”
— Cromwell's stoic reflection on resilience and adaptation in the face of adversity.
“It is not enough to be good. You must be seen to be good.”
— Cromwell's pragmatic understanding of reputation and public perception in politics.
“Fear is a great teacher. It teaches you to watch where you put your feet.”
— Cromwell reflects on the lessons learned from living in a dangerous court.
“The world is not as it seems. It is a place of shadows and illusions, and you must learn to see beyond them.”
— Cromwell's philosophical musing on the deceptive nature of reality and courtly life.
“He has a gift for making men feel they are the authors of his thoughts.”
— Cromwell observes Henry VIII's manipulative charm and ability to sway others.
“What is a man, but the sum of his intentions?”
— Cromwell ponders the essence of a person, linking it to their motives and actions.
“There are no friends at court, only allies.”
— Cromwell's cynical yet realistic view of relationships within the royal court.
“Memory is a kind of country, and you can travel there, if you know the way.”
— Cromwell reflects on the power and accessibility of personal memory.
“He thinks of himself as a man of God. But he is a man of appetite.”
— Cromwell's internal assessment of Henry VIII's true character versus his self-image.
“Every man has a price. You just have to find it.”
— Cromwell's pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of human venality and motivation.
“The law is a net, and those who are caught in it are the ones who cannot afford to escape.”
— Cromwell reflects on the unequal application of justice and the power of wealth.
Quiz
Test Your Knowledge
Ready to see how well you understood this book? Take our interactive quiz with 10 questions.
10
Questions
~5
Minutes
?
Best Score
Key Questions (FAQ)
Bring Up the Bodies is the second novel in Hilary Mantel's Cromwell trilogy, focusing on the downfall of Anne Boleyn. After years of fighting to marry her, King Henry VIII has grown disenchanted with Anne due to her failure to produce a male heir and her strong will. Thomas Cromwell, Henry's chief minister, is tasked with orchestrating Anne's demise to clear the way for Jane Seymour.
About the author
Dame Hilary Mary Mantel was a British writer whose work includes historical fiction, personal memoirs and short stories. Her first published novel, Every Day Is Mother's Day, was released in 1985. She went on to write 12 novels, two collections of short stories, a personal memoir, and numerous articles and opinion pieces.
