gilda_elise

First published in 1959 by world-renowned historical novelist Margaret Campbell Barnes, King's Fool is a remarkable insider tale of the intrigue, ruthlessness, and majesty of the Tudor court. When country lad Will Somers lands himself the plum position of jester to the mercurial King Henry VIII, he has no idea that he';s just been handed a front-row seat to history. With a seat near the throne and an ear to the floor, Somers witnesses firsthand the dizzying power struggles and sly scheming that marked the reign of the fiery Tudor king. Somers watches the rise and fall of some of the most enigmatic women in history, including the tragic Katherine of Aragon, the doomed Anne Boleyn, and Mary Tudor, who confided in the jester as she made the best of the fragile life of a princess whom everyone wished was a prince. Based on the life of the real Will Somers, King's Fool is infused with Margaret Campbell Barnes' trademark rich detail and historical accuracy. This intimate peek into the royal chambers gives readers a unique view on one of the most tumultuous periods in English history.

The book is written as if by Will Somers, himself. And though very little is known about the man, Barnes is able to take what little information there is and turn it into a plausible, interesting, and, well, loving story about his history, his life at court, and his relationship with Henry VIII.

Will is a very young man when he first enters Henry’s employ, while Henry is middle-aged, and already dealing with the weight that will plague him the rest of his life. Yet somehow they manage to build a close almost friendship, with Will becoming Henry’s sounding board during the turbulent years of Henry’s reign.

Amazingly, the author manages to make Henry almost sympathetic at times, as we see him through Will’s eyes. How does a good and honest man deal with someone like Henry? Especially as the king’s tyrannical impulses take over? Mostly because Henry has always been good to him, and because Will is a good man, he continues to look for what good is left in his friend. That outlook will see him in good stead.