The book begins with the execution of Anne Boleyn in 1536. A French assassin eliminates Anne Boleyn. Her husband, King Henry marries a third wife, Jane Seymour, who people believe that she will give birth to the long-awaited heir. Thomas Cromwell is appointed to the Privy Council. He has become very powerful. Henry has no respect for his latest wife. Thomas was raised in a humble background, but of late, he has become drunk with power. When Jane Seymour passes on giving birth, Thomas thinks that he is well-positioned to decide on who will be married by the King. In short, he believes that he will play a vital role in choosing the next queen. As a result, he sends artists across Europe to take images of potential brides to King. However, Henry rejects most of them after deliberation.
Finally, Henry settles on Anne of Cleves. Thomas is not impressed by the decision of King to marry Anne of Cleves and feels that his impact on King’s decisions is waning. The relationship between him and the King continue disintegrating after he fails to kill Reginald Pole, who has written a book calling the King a crazy heretical dictator. He disdainfully dismisses aristocrats, who assisted him to eliminate Anne. Subsequently, it is alleged that Thomas wants to marry, Mary Tudor, the king’s daughter. Soon after, he is arrested and taken to the Tower of London.
Thomas is accused of treason and heresy. Having no one to defend him, he is tortured and eventually killed on King’s orders in 1940. The book teaches people that being drunk with power is terrible. Thomas tortures and executes people on King’s orders. Similarly, he is tortured and executed on King’s orders. He used to celebrate the deaths of his enemies. Likewise, his enemies celebrate his death.
