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George Boleyn: Tudor Poet, Courtier & Diplomat Kindle Edition

by Claire Ridgway (Author), Clare Cherry (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 250 ratings

History has long cast George Boleyn in the shadow of his more infamous sister, Anne Boleyn. Known primarily for his tragic downfall—executed on charges of treason, incest, and conspiracy against King Henry VIII—George has too often been reduced to a footnote in Tudor history.

But there was so much more to this remarkable man.

In this meticulously researched and compelling biography, Clare Cherry and Claire Ridgway bring George Boleyn vividly to life—not as a tragic accessory to his sister’s fall, but as a gifted poet, skilled diplomat, influential courtier, and loyal brother navigating the deadly politics of Henry VIII’s court.

Follow George’s meteoric rise in the dazzling world of the Tudor court, from the favour he enjoyed with the King to his role in the religious and political upheavals of the 1520s and 30s. Discover the real man behind the myths: his talents, his beliefs, his marriage to Jane Parker, and his work as a key player in the Reformation Parliament and international diplomacy.

This comprehensive biography is divided into three rich sections—Beginnings, Career and Influence, and End of an Era—and explores:

  • George’s literary contributions and overlooked poetry

  • His personality, passions, and place in court society

  • His political and religious convictions

  • His marriage and its complexities

  • His diplomatic missions and international significance

  • The dramatic downfall of the Boleyn family

  • What happened after the scaffold, and the intriguing legacy of the Clonony Castle Boleyns

With full references, detailed notes, a bibliography, and insightful appendices, George Boleyn: Tudor Poet, Courtier and Diplomat offers a nuanced and fascinating portrait of a man whose life and legacy deserve a closer look.

Step into the world of the Tudors—and meet George Boleyn as you’ve never known him before.

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  1. Print length
    388 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 25, 2014
  4. File size
    5.9 MB
  5. Page Flip
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  6. Word Wise
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"In their new book Clare Cherry and Claire Ridgway takes you on a journey through George's life from beginning to rise through the court of Henry VIII to tragic end to help dispel the myths and work out who George Boleyn was...The authors have trawled through letters, documents and dispatches to give us the best understanding of who this man was." Michael Leaver, Tudor Crazy Book Club

"Through Cherry's and Ridgway's outstanding research, we now can gain a very comprehensive look at George Boleyn." Beth von Staats, QueenAnneBoleyn.com

About the Author

Clare Cherry lives in Hampshire with her partner David. She works as a solicitor in Dorset, but has a passion for Tudor history and began researching the life of George Boleyn in 2006. She started corresponding with Claire Ridgway in late 2009, after meeting through The Anne Boleyn Files website, and the two Tudor enthusiasts became firm friends. Clare divides her time between the legal profession and researching Tudor history. Clare has written guest articles on George Boleyn for The Anne Boleyn Files, Nerdalicious.com.au, and author Susan Bordo's The Creation of Anne Boleyn website.

Claire Ridgway  is the author of the best-selling books ON THIS DAY IN TUDOR HISTORY, THE FALL OF ANNE BOLEYN: A COUNTDOWN, THE ANNE BOLEYN COLLECTION, and THE ANNE BOLEYN COLLECTION II, as well as INTERVIEWS WITH INDIE AUTHORS: TOP TIPS FROM SUCCESSFUL SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHORS. Claire was also involved in the English translation and editing of Edmond Bapst's 19th century French biography of George Boleyn and Henry Howard, now available as TWO GENTLEMAN POETS AT THE COURT OF HENRY VIII. Claire worked in education and freelance writing before creating The Anne Boleyn Files history website and becoming a full-time history researcher, blogger and author. The Anne Boleyn Files is known for its historical accuracy and Claire's mission to get to the truth behind Anne Boleyn's story. Her writing is easy-to-read and conversational, and readers often comment on how reading Claire's books is like having a coffee with her and chatting about history.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00JYFZVX8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ MadeGlobal Publishing (April 25, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 25, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 388 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 250 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Claire Ridgway

    Claire Ridgway

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Claire Ridgway is the author of the best-selling books GEORGE BOLEYN: TUDOR POET, COURTIER AND DIPLOMAT (co-written with Clare Cherry), ON THIS DAY IN TUDOR HISTORY, THE FALL OF ANNE BOLEYN: A COUNTDOWN, THE ANNE BOLEYN COLLECTION, THE ANNE BOLEYN COLLECTION II and THE ANNE BOLEYN COLLECTION III, SWEATING SICKNESS IN A NUTSHELL and TUDOR PLACES OF GREAT BRITAIN. Claire also collaborated with artist Dmitry Yakhovsky on THE LIFE OF ANNE BOLEYN COLOURING BOOK. Claire was also involved in the English translation and editing of Edmond Bapst's 19th-century French biography of George Boleyn and Henry Howard, available as TWO GENTLEMAN POETS AT THE COURT OF HENRY VIII.

    Claire worked in education and freelance writing before creating The Anne Boleyn Files history website and becoming a full-time history researcher, blogger and author. The Anne Boleyn Files is known for its historical accuracy and Claire's mission to get to the truth behind Anne Boleyn's story. Her writing is easy-to-read and conversational, and readers often comment on how reading Claire's books is like having a coffee with her and chatting about history.

    Claire is also the founder of The Tudor Society.

    To find her on the web, please visit:

    www.theanneboleynfiles.com

    www.claireridgway.com

    www.tudorsociety.com

    Claire is also on Twitter (@anneboleynfiles), Facebook (theanneboleynfiles) and Instagram (anneboleynfiles).

    See more on the author's page
  2. Clare Cherry

    Clare Cherry

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Clare Cherry is the co-author of GEORGE BOLEYN: TUDOR POET, COURTIER AND DIPLOMAT. She lives in Hampshire with her partner David and works as a solicitor in Dorset. Clare has a passion for Tudor history and began researching the life of George Boleyn in 2006. She started corresponding with co-author Claire Ridgway in late 2009, after meeting through The Anne Boleyn Files website, and the two Tudor enthusiasts became firm friends.

    Clare divides her time between the legal profession and researching Tudor history. Clare has written guest articles on George Boleyn for The Anne Boleyn Files, Nerdalicious.com.au, and author Susan Bordo's The Creation of Anne Boleyn website.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
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Customers say

Customers find the book fascinating and well-written, with rich research providing valuable insights into George Boleyn's life and career. They appreciate the historical perspective and consider him a talented diplomat.

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21 customers mention "Enjoyment"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderful and fascinating to read, with one customer noting it's particularly well put together.

"...His many talents and good qualities were finally brought into the spotlight were they belong...." Read more

"...speech is given in full in the Appendixes and it is something both wonderful and sad that makes you almost cry when you finish...." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book...." Read more

"This book is a well written story of the life of George Boleyn, brother of Anne Boleyn...." Read more

17 customers mention "Readability"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very readable, with a professional writing style that makes it easy to follow.

"...me a George Boleyn I had overlooked, they did so with such a relaxed writing style that I never felt I was being “lectured” about the topic...." Read more

"...Richly researched and engagingly written, you will gain excellent insight not only in the life of George Boleyn, Lord of Rochford, but his..." Read more

"...Its a light read and doesn't bog you down with academic jargon like other biographies will. Every Tudor enthusiast should give this book a go..." Read more

"...style of writing is professional, yet informal so it's easy to understand the ramifications of George's actions in the grand scheme of the court..." Read more

15 customers mention "Research quality"15 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's thorough research, providing valuable facts about George Boleyn and his accomplishments.

"There was a LOT of information about George Boleyn in the book. Moreover, the information was well-researched and fair...." Read more

"...Richly researched and engagingly written, you will gain excellent insight not only in the life of George Boleyn, Lord of Rochford, but his..." Read more

"...to the young man's life. The authors do a great job dealing with the evidence they have to not be influenced by popular opinion and dispel any..." Read more

"...It has been well researched and is written in an easy to read manner...." Read more

8 customers mention "Historical accuracy"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical accuracy of the book, with one customer noting its use of abundant contemporary sources.

"...poetry and portraiture being lost to history, there are abundant contemporary sources that speak to George Boleyn’s life...." Read more

"...Ridgway and Cherry stick to the facts in this engaging and thorough biography on a man who's true character has remained elusive over the centuries...." Read more

"...George seemed like such a fascinating and complex man, one wonders what he might have achieved if his life had not been cut short so tragically early." Read more

"Dynamic new historical character! Hidden behind a strong-willed sister who caught the eye of an evil king, George was exciting in his own right...." Read more

4 customers mention "Talent"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise George Boleyn's diplomatic skills, with one customer noting his intellectual gifts and another describing him as a fascinating character.

"...In short, George Boleyn, Lord of Rochford, was an intellectually gifted, multi-talented, religiously and politically driven, and genuinely highly..." Read more

"This book delves into the life of George Boleyn. He was an accomplished diplomat, spending quite a bit of time in France on behalf of Henry..." Read more

"...A very talented diplomat by all accounts and one that would have been missed after his death." Read more

"...George was a fascinating character. I want to read more about him." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing George into the spotlight
    Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    There was a LOT of information about George Boleyn in the book. Moreover, the information was well-researched and fair. While the author’s did not attempt to turn George Boleyn into a maligned saint, they were not amiss at pointing out places in the historical record which negated or cast doubt on one of the many slanders circulating about Anne Boleyn’s little brother. His many talents and good qualities were finally brought into the spotlight were they belong.

    I was also happy that the authors took the time to explain certain actions or inactions on George Boleyn’s part in the context of the time in which he lived. George didn’t come across as a paragon, even in context, but it certainly explained why some of his decisions and choices would have been considered reasonable in the Tudor era.

    While reading the book I was especially impressed by the scope of George Boleyn’s intellect and accomplishments. He is so often seen as an extension of his powerful sister that I had failed to realize just how much work he did as an ambassador and courtier, or his own merits. Anne Boleyn’s quick temper has gotten far more press that George Boleyn's quick wit, so I was largely unaware that he was actually a very fine poet, held in esteem with poets Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard.

    With his combination of good looks, snappy replies, athletic ability, and gaming skills it is no wonder George Boleyn was a favorite of Henry VIII, and was a powerful an influence in the court in his own right.

    The book further impressed me because not only did Cherry and Ridgway show me a George Boleyn I had overlooked, they did so with such a relaxed writing style that I never felt I was being “lectured” about the topic. That balance is often hard to find in non-fiction.

    I can highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Tudor world.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I've read about the Boleyns
    Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This and Ives' biography of Anne Boleyn and Norton's Boleyn Women are the best books on Anne Boleyn and her family. The first one is entirely about Anne, the second about her direct family and all her ancestors and connections through marriage or blood -be it through her father or mother. This book focused ENTIRELY on George which was very refreshing and one theme that kept repeating itself were the two authors, Claire Cherry and Claire Ridgway, stressing that this was a different period and that for someone to appreciate George he must accept that he was a human being with passions, arrogance, and a deep religious fervor that ran as deep as the Catholic opposition. The rumors that George was a womanizer might have some grain of truth in them and the two authors ask us to take these into consideration but always ask when we are analyzing sources regarding this enigmatic figure, who, when, and why did that person wrote it? A lot that has come from contemporaries that were hostile to his family, yet others were neutral and some such as the French ambassadors sang praises of them. Chapuys (though I didn't quite agree with their assessment of him) regarded George as a bright and promising youth, many regarded him the same way and mentioned how intelligent and astute he was. And if you don't believe it, let the facts speak for themselves. I wasn't aware how deeply religious George was and how committed he was to the religious reforms that he and his sister -with their father- worked so hard to install once she became Henry's Queen. As Henry's ambassador he also enjoyed a great amount of power and while in France, he managed to persuade Francois' (various times) to lend his support (albeit indirectly) to Henry and Anne. And here is where I come to my second point, secondary sources that allegedly thought they were doing a service to George ended up doing him a great disservice by blending truth with fiction -among them twentieth century biographers which formed their own conclusions about George and said that he was a sexual deviant and painted his rivals -including his wife- as evil. In reality, it is impossible to know just what role did Jane Parker play in her husband's demise, if she played a roll at all! "That woman" George wrote when he testified before his trial, denounced him as a traitor and they were willing to believe her before him. He never says his wife, which he would've if it was his wife who denounced him, he just says "that woman". And notice the tone of his statement when you read the book, the authors point that out too. Jane was very loyal to George and visited him and he even wrote to her before he died. The only thing she is guilty off is declaring that Henry was impotent, but this was done without any malice and she might not have had any choice when the investigations began. She as George, was looking to her own survival and George probably understood that as he also lived by the same standards.
    His fall is one of the greatest injustices of the time, and it is a great tragedy that a lot of his poems do not survive. There are a lot of anonymous poems that are said to be his but we will never be sure, nonetheless the authors point out the subtle hints in each of them, suggesting they could be.
    His last speech is given in full in the Appendixes and it is something both wonderful and sad that makes you almost cry when you finish.
    I recommend this book for anybody who loves history as much as I do and want to learn more about the Boleyns.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • maraka
    5.0 out of 5 stars Von der blassen Randfigur zum Helden. Diese Biografie macht den Unterschied
    Reviewed in Germany on October 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Von George Boleyn hat kein Portrait überlebt. Zumindest ist keines bekannt und identifizierbar. Seine Poesie ist untergegangen oder segelt unter falschen Namen. Beschreibungen seiner Person sind abhängig von Standpunkt und Absicht des Betrachters. Und die Beschreibungen, die überlebt haben, sind in der Regel nicht neutral. Aber Dokumente seiner politischen Aktivitäten finden sich noch in den Archiven.

    Das ist die Ausgangslage für die beiden Biografinnen. Wer daher einen trögen Rapport der vorhandenen Dokumente und Daten erwarten sollte, wird positiv überrascht. Es handelt sich eher um einen gut gegliederten, spannenden Bericht.

    Möglich wird das, indem die Autorinnen ihren Text nicht an den spärlichen Lebensdaten entlangseilen und Lücken mit Spekulationen füllen, sondern in Handlungsfelder gliedern und jedes Feld mit vorhandenen Daten so konkret & lebendig werden lassen, dass die vorher kaum greifbare Gestalt allmählich sichtbar wird. Die Konturen zeichnen sich ab und dann entsteht auch langsam ein Blick, ein Gespür für die Person, ihr Umfeld, ihre Ziele.

    Die Menschen, mit denen er zusammen war, die Aktivitäten, die bekannt sind, die politischen Entwicklungen, an denen er Anteil hatte, seine diplomatischen Aufträge und Erfolge, die Dienste & Pfründe, die bekannt sind, lassen langsam das Lebensbild eines Menschen entstehen, das vor bald 5 Jahrhunderten zum Verschwinden gebracht wurde. Denn der fürchterliche Vorwurf des Inzests & des Hochverrats machte es möglich, jenseits offizieller Dokumente nahezu alles auszulōschen, was von diesem Leben Zeugnis ablegt.

    Und es ist ein hochfahrendes, spannendes Leben, das da ausgelöscht wurde. Mit vermutlich 10 Jahren taucht George Boleyn erstmals als Akteur bei einem Hoffest auf und wird bald darauf Page des Königs. Das heißt, er wuchs quasi als eine Mischung aus Diener, Zögling und Unterhalter in der unmittelbaren Umgebung des Königs auf, mitten unter den jungen, intelligenten, gebildeten und sportlichen Begleitern, mit denen Henry VIII sich lange Zeit bevorzugt umgab.

    George Boleyn war ein Mann, der mit Kleidung, Pferden und Jagdvögeln erheblichen Aufwand trieb, aktiv an Turnieren mit Lanzenstechen teilnahm, den französischen König überreden konnte, etwas zuzusagen, worauf er eigentlich wenig Lust hatte, der sich aber auch aktiv dafür einsetzte, dass alle Menschen im Königreich die Bibel in ihrer Muttersprache lesen können, oder der seiner Schwester religiöse Traktate aus dem Französischen übersetzte.

    George Boleyn war vehement protestantisch. Bei seiner Schwester Anne sind die Interpreten uneins, ob sie im Grunde eine nicht mehr ganz romtreue Katholikin war, die reformerische Geistliche & Vorstellungen vor allem förderte, weil sie ihr nutzten, oder ob für sie die Reform ein Kernanliegen war und sie ihren Einfluss nutzte, um die Reform durchzuführen. Bei George ist man sich offenbar sicher. Denn es gibt zeitgenössische Berichte, die von vehementem Bekehrungseifer sprechen.

    GB war ein lebenslustiger, charmanter, ehrgeiziger Workaholic mit protestantischem Bekehrungseifer. Den Autorinnen gelingt es, diese widersprüchlichen Aspekte lebendig werden zu lassen. Das Buch empfiehlt sich darüber hinaus, um wichtige politische Zusammenhänge jener Zeit zu verstehen.
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  • rowena de lacey
    5.0 out of 5 stars and I can't help but like the young and remarkable man
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Yes, the book is a little 'school text book', however the authors have done meticulous and painstaking research and the end result makes an enjoyable read. The book has brought George to life for me, and I can't help but like the young and remarkable man. He and his wife have been demonised for nearly five hundred years, which is the direct result of the propaganda of their enemies and so many authors who have perpetuated these horrible myths. There is a lot of truth in the saying, 'It is the victors who write history'. The wonderful thing about this book is that it sticks to the truth so no sensationalism here. Well done ladies!
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  • rfv
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent research and story telling.
    Reviewed in Canada on April 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A story well told and very well researched. The authors’ storytelling and discussion of facts and findings blend seamlessly. Couldn’t put it down!
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  • Bruce in Madrid
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bruce in Madrid
    Reviewed in Spain on July 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book is in English, and the first I have found on this interesting historical figure of Tudor England. This was a fair and unbiased account of a usually much maligned character. It was thoroughly researched, well written and flows well for easy reading. This is not historical fiction, but a suitable companion to any genuine research and non-fiction material.
    I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in English Tudor history (from novice to academic historian).
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  • Francesco Calvi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Appassionante e dettagliato
    Reviewed in Italy on January 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Non essendo disponibili in italiano libri che descrivano la figura di Giorgio Bolena, fratello della più famosa Anna (seconda moglie di Enrico VIII d'Inghilterra), ho optato per questa edizione in lingua inglese che ho trovato entusiasmante.
    Finalmente un libro dove,al di là della figura di Anna (comunque centrale),si mostrano e si dipingono i rapporti tra i familiari, con uno stile coinvolgente e affascinante.
    Conosciamo così Giorgio, il fratello di Anna, a lei legato a doppio filo da un profondo affetto e a lei affine per carattere, carisma, bellezza ed intelligenza.
    Fervente evangelico sarà lui, al pari della sorella,a concorrere allo scisma dalla Chiesa di Roma.
    Con la sorella condividerà la gloria ma anche, purtroppo, la stessa crudele e infame fine, essendo entrambi accusati di incesto.
    Dalle più alte vette del successo fino alla prigionia alla Torre di Londra, condannati da false accuse, emerge la tenerezza e la profondità del loro legame.
    Da leggere!
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