Revista De Espa�a

English Reformation Trilogy #2

by Revista De Espana (Creator)

This is a reproduction of the original artefact. Generally these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way the author intended. Since the original versions are generally quite old, there may occasionally be certain imperfections within these reproductions. We're happy to make these classics available again for future generations to enjoy!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Catholic, Fiction, Christian, Historical, Classics

654 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1905

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King’s Achievement is the second book Robert Hugh Benson wrote in his Reformation trilogy. However, as it occurs during the reign of King Henry VIII, it actually takes place first in the series. By What Authority?, the first book he wrote, is set during the reign of Henry’s second daughter, Elizabeth I, and if you want to follow the historical sequence, read it last. The last written book, The Queen's Tragedy, happens in the intervening years during the reign of Mary, Henry’s oldest daughter by his first wife. Confused? Then don’t worry about it. From what I can tell, the stories are independent enough to read in any order. It does trace a single family from generation to generation, so it is more interesting and perhaps slightly easier if read sequentially, but not essential.

I happen to love this era of British history — almost anytime during the 16th Century. The person of King Harry especially fascinates me. What could have made a stalwart Defender of the Faith eventually call for the death of the friend who (mostly) wrote the book which earned him the title Fidei Defensor (Thomas More) and repudiate the one so staunchly upheld in said document, the pope? Well, who said human beings are consistent? Much less so kings. And anyway, no one was ever going to say so to his face, if they wanted to keep theirs.

This was certainly a time to try men’s souls. Henry would have done better with a short life like his older brother, who was trained from youth in kingship, but Harry’s was a long reign which started high with a young, handsome, popular leader who ultimately descended into one of the most infamously pivotal, and treacherous of all of England’s many fascinating monarchs. His is a life which has been written about so many times and yet one never seems to grow tired of reading about it. No well-written Shakespearean tragedy can surpass the pathos of what happened to Henry VIII through his pursuit of freedom, a male heir and power—not necessarily in that order, though I cannot for the life of me figure which was the strongest driving motive. In any event, King Henry, though he only appears at the very end of Benson’s novel is the unseen major character. And when he does appear, the reader is – as expected – mesmerized by his dominating, ne intimidating personality. And yet at the same time, knowing the king’s ultimate end, one is almost as sorry for this blusterous pompous and monstrous man as for his victims. Almost. But not quite.

Setting aside larger-than-life King Henry, the story mostly focuses on two brothers, Ralph and Chris, who represent the two opposing sides at this time in English history. Ralph, the elder brother, works for Thomas Cromwell, Chief Minister for King Henry. At the beginning of the story, Chris, is just entering the monastery at Lewes. His piety is contrasted with his brother’s ambition. There are also two sisters, a married sister, Mary and one who is a nun, Margaret. We get to follow the lives of these four, plus their parents across the 1530s, the time of Cromwell’s ascendency, Henry’s break with Rome, pursuit of Anne Boleyn and the dissolution of the monasteries. It is an exciting and devastating time depending on who you are and what you value.

‘Dissolution’ always sounded to me like such a nice tame word compared to what actually happened to the monasteries. But then I suppose that betrays my values. This story reveals a small part of the terrible destruction to that once vast and ancient way of life which served many for many many years. The material within those huge institutions, as well as the structures themselves were recklessly and often vengefully destroyed, burned, pillaged, dispersed, and the souls who had lived (mostly) peacefully within, were made homeless with little more than their clothes and a small sum to find a new way of life wherever they could.

This is a very compelling story and my favorite of Benson’s so far. HIGHLY recommended!

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely more fast paced than Come Rack! Come Rope! but it can't compare to the latter's satisfactory ending.

[Jarred de Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, MSGR Benson writes a thrilling historical fiction that serves as both a history lesson, entertainment and spiritual reading. His ability to portray the inner spiritual life of his characters is second to none. Read Come Rack, Come Rope first, but this is also highly recommended. Martyrs of England pray for us!

[William Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another masterpiece of Benson’s

Although this story was at times slightly slow in telling, the last pages of the book so captivated me that I can’t help but give it five stars.

A fascinating—and somewhat terrible—portrayal of Cromwell’s dissolution of the religious houses and of the political and religious atmosphere of the time. Complex and stormy, and—particularly with today’s climate as a backdrop—dark and sorrowful.

As is similar in Benson’s other books, the heroine stands out for her charm, wit and depth of character. Beatrice is intriguing, and as the book ends one wishes that her story would go on. I suppose that she can give us now what she gave to those around her: hope and cheer amidst the tragedies of life, whether they be large or small.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the first day of reading this book I cried myself to sleep over the descriptions of the religious life and vocation. I once thought that God had plans for me that way; it has taken me a long time to understand and accept that His will for me lies elsewhere. Chris' journey in the book, his arrival at Lewes and novititiate, brought up vividly the doubt and longing that I thought I had overcome - so I can at least attest to its accuracy. A very well-drawn picture of religious life, and one that does not scruple to describe the difficulties and dangers as well as the beauty.

I felt that this story was exceptionally lifelike. The characters, the events, even the descriptions of scenery and weather seemed very real and palpable; it's one of those books that almost feel like a movie. (Speaking of movies, fans of A Man for All Seasons will be delighted at the portrayal of St. Thomas More!) It kept me guessing , too. I was unable to predict the outcome ofc the story, and to be honest I'm unsure even now exactly what the meaning of the final words of the book were. I believe I have mentioned my pet peeve with open endings before. It has not weakened.

In short, it is a very powerful book, perhaps a shade darker than some of Robert Hugh Benson's others - and definitely worth reading, especially for anyone considering a religious vocation.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction. Reformation in Britain. Henry VIII, Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, John Fisher, Thomas Cranmer. Very well written story. Beautiful picture of the Catholic faith written by a Catholic priest who was a former Anglican. Didn't enjoy this as much as I did Come Rack! Come Rope! but it's still a fine read.

[Fonch · Rating 5 out of 5]

dedicated with affection to Sergio Gómez Moyano who has lent me this book.
Ladies and gentlemen first of all before writing this review I would like to thank Sergio Gómez Moyano (the greatest expert on Robert Hugh Benson at least in the Spanish language), who left me the book, knowing that it would be impossible for me to get it, since this book was published in a very limited way in Argentina. Leaving a book is something that in these times is somewhat difficult, since when you leave a book you run the risk of losing it forever for it I am enormously grateful for having left it, and you affectionately dedicated this review to it, and I also recommend your wonderful novel "Querencio", https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... that was already reviewed last year.
As you can see the Goodreads users who still support me last week I was more focused on overcoming my goodreads challenge, and reaching a hundred books. This week before I was forced to go on vacation to the village with my parents I would like to be able to write this review, and that of the science fiction novel "Our Lady of Artilects" and dedicate the last two days to write a balance of the first seven months of 2022. Which books are the best, which are the worst, and what are my future plans for the rest of the year that I will deal with on Thursday, and Friday God willing.
The first thing to say about "The King's achievement" is that it is one of the novels that complete Robert Hugh Benson's tetralogy of the Protestant Reformation in England. Rather than how Protestantism seized power in England. In this case it would be good to consider what an American child posed to C.S. Lewis https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/series/4907... whether in the order in which they were published, or written, or following a chronological framework. The same could be said of Robert Hugh Benson's tetralogy of the Tudors. If "The King's achievement" should be the first, the second "The Tragedy of the Queen" (this one is about Mary Tudor. After vacation we will try to write the review of this interesting novel). https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8..., then the one that for me, and in my modest opinion is the best "By Wahat Authorithy?" because https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... (remember that I considered "By what authorithy?" the best novel of the year 2021) in this novel Benson gave absolutely everything, or "Come Rack, come rope" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... that for the specialists in Robert Hugh Benson say that it is the best, and the most curdled of all. Or on the contrary, if it is better to start with the order in which Benson wrote them "By what authorithy?", "The King's achievement", "The Tragedy of the Queen", and "Come rack come rope". I as these works unfortunately have not had as much repercussion as his dystopian novel, and parusistic "The Lord of the World" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... have taken to be translated into Spanish, or at least have not been published in Spain, because I know that if they have been translated into Spanish. In Spain you can only read "Come rack, come rope", which was edited by Palabra, and translated with the title of "A la horca", and then Father Pablo Cervera made an immense gift to readers translating it into Spanish "By what authorithy?" in the small publishing house Didaskalos with a very inspired, and wonderful prologue of my admired, and dear juan Manuel de Prada https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... With "The Tragedy of the Queen" a very curious thing happened, and that is that it was one of the first to be translated into Spanish at the beginning of the twentieth century, along with the novel of saga nobiliar "Los sentimentales" by Robert Hugh Benson (which except miracle will be my last reading of Robert Hugh Benson) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... that introduces us to a benson pioneer in the novels of sagas of noble houses, which are now so fashionable. The pity is that I will have to read other wonders like what Benson considered one of his favorite novels. At least Benson considered it one of his favorite novels compared to "The invisible light" I mean "Richard Raynal Solitary" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... this would be set in the War of the Roses in the fifteenth century, and could be a prequel to the novels of the Protestant Reformation, since they feature the rise of the Tudors, and how they took the throne of England, despite the dubious rights of Henry VII (father of the fat man) to the throne. The one that I have an obsession with reading, but that I think I will never be able to read (I already said this in other reviews every day I am more interested in the Stuarts, than the Tudors, perhaps because despite their defects they chose to follow the dictates of their conscience against those of convenience, but they would have opted for tolerance, and even conversion is very likely that they would never have lost the throne, but they preferred to save their soul, and lose the world, and that today is invaluable). The novel I am referring to is "Oddfish" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... which tells something very similar to one of the subplots, and the decisive fact of "An instance of the fingerpost" by Iain Pears https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... the final conversion of Charles II.
This proves that Benson also lavished himself on the historical novel, and that he is a worthy continuation of Walter Scott https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... (by the way I have been able to learn that finally Attic of the books is going to edit "Waverley" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... in Spanish, and congratulated them very warmly.) In fact, just like the great Scottish novelist Benson has in common with him, he will accelerate in the third part.
Before starting the review of this book I must confess that my interest in this book was due to two factors in the first place to the wonderful review made by the user Booklady to whom I send my respects, and all my affection, and the wonderful article published by my dearest Joseph Pearce https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... in Imaginative Conservative following a reissue of this novel by the independent publisher Cenacle Press which is sponsored by an Irish abbey.
This novel was read after "The Tragedy of the Queen" and is certainly more agile, fluid, and has more action, than "The Tragedy of the Queen" which bases almost everything on the gigantic figure of Mary Tudor, who is portrayed in a very realistic way eating the story, or the plot. This does not happen in "The King's achievement" although I do admit that there is a paralysis in the second part (this book consists of three parts). The first is called the will of the King, the second that is also divided into two parts is the one that gives the title to the book, and tells the main subject is called The Triumph of the King, and has a subdivision called "The Fall of Lewes", and the last one that for me is the best part of all for reasons, that will be explained, or will become clear as you read my critique, the King's gratitude is titled. The first thing to say about this novel is that I liked it a lot, but I think "By what Authorithy?" is better. and despite its coldness "Come rack, come rope". That said, after having read the entire tetralogy of Benson (but we count "The solitary Richard Raynal") that I do not agree with Hilaire Beloc, who despite liking robert Hugh Benson's novels very much saw two defects. The first to see Benson's knights as very anachronistic, and not as people of the sixteenth century, but as a product of the Victorian, and Edwardian, era, and the 2nd ruling is that Belloc https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... appreciated that Benson had overestimated the strength, and the strength of the Protestants. What I think is that both may be right, that the Protestants were less numerous, but they were more violent, and vindictive, and they were noticed, and what made the difference is the determined royal support for the Protestants, although Henry VIII did not give in on the main thing, and the only thing he did was break with Rome. It should be said that the confrontation of Louis XIV threatening a Gallican Church was even more daring, and heterodox than that of Henry VIII. With the difference that in the end Louis XIV did not break with Rome.
The novel tells us about the damage, and the divisions, that not only cause in a country, but in a family both religious and political conflicts (this is being seen in Spain with the independence movements). In fact in the first two parts it is the antagonism between the two brothers Torridon Ralph, and Christopher that determines the development of the novel. The third part will take a very different course, and it will be another character who set the tone for the narrative, and in the third part it will be about repairing what was broken in the first two parts.
One of the things that will please bensonophiles, and those who have read "By what authorithy?" is that "The King's achievement" is a prequel to the novel previously cited, and we will see how many of the characters of "By what authorithy?" Rejuvenated Margaret, Mary, and Nicholas Maxwell will appear here. In fact, the family affected by the political-religious convulsions are the Torridons. In fact, the characters already dropped a lot of things about what's going to happen in "The King's achievement." Both Ralph and Christopher are presented to me as heroic figures like teresa Marchmain's beloved brothers in "Brideshead Revisited" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... They Retell the story of Cain, and Abel. Ralph embodies the person whose world revolves around the world, and secular power, while Chrisopher embodies the heavenly city of St. Augustine. We see that once again the world is pitted against the heavenly Jerusalem. Ralph because of his bonding with Thomas Cromwell (which is wonderfully well done). It was not easy what Benson has done, but he has not been carried away by Manichaeism, and he has shown us Thomas Cromwell such, and how he was with his lights and his men. It does not happen as for example in the drama a man for all seasons by Robert Bolt https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... nor as in "The Fifth Queen" by Ford Maddox Ford https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... , where he was seen as an all-powerful and evil power. When the apostate and anti-Catholic Hilary Mantel wrote Thomas Cromwell's "Wolf Hall" trilogy https://www.goodreads.com/series/7545... I who still had faith in Hilary Mantel expected something like what Benson did, and not the investment that Hilary Mantel made in which she made a hagiography of a careerist, Machiavellian, ambitious, and unscrupulous politician. One could have done what Mantel wanted by being true to the story, and without falling into the demonization of Cromwell's adversaries in this case Gardiner, and Thomas More. This has been done by Benson, although Gardiner in "The King's Achievement" is only appointed once to debate with the Protestant Barnes. Thomas More shows us as a cultured, intelligent, charming, and delicious man, as a great humanist, and saint, who is what he was. Although Mantel insists on something else. In fact, Ralph's first mission will be to spy on Thomas More https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., but he will have a bit of Stockholm syndrome due to the saint's charm (he wasn't a saint when Benson wrote these novels, but he would end up being). In fact, More will be essential in the development of the novel, and decisive in the life of Ralph Torridon, thanks to his pupil Beatrice Atherton, who will fall in love with the trusted man of the enemy of his tutor. It also begins to shake a little the confidence that Ralph had in Thomas Cromwell, in change Christopher who has become religious contemplates the other side of the coin that of repression, and the terror of the Tudors when he sees the executions of Houghton, Reynolds, and John Fisher (apart from the bishop of Rochester teacher, and preceptor of Henry VIII). What this does is increase the rivalry of the two brothers. The second part, which is the slowest part of the book, tells us what monastic life is like, and how Christopher's vocation is going (taught by his parish priest Carleton, who is in the house of the Torridons, who tried to be a monk, and failed). At the same time the court among them Cromwell has decreed the end of the monasteries, and has prepared a series of visitors whose purpose is to act as thugs, to intimidate the abbots, and priors. Here you will see a tactic already carried out by Philip IV with Floquet, and Nogaret the use of propaganda against the Church (Boniface VIII) the heir of all this will be Martin Luther https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... with the printing press. This will be continued by the French Enlightenment (the attack on the monasteries). Much of the rumors about the decadent and corrupt life of the monasteries will be employed by Diderot https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... Voltaire https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., or Helvetius https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... in fact this anti-Catholicism that the French Enlightenment displayed, and the French revolutionaries would not have existed, but had been for the English enlightenment of John Locke https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... the anti-Catholic political theorist of the Orange, and the Hanoverians, who arrived in France thanks to the Freemasons Theophilus Dessaguliers, and Pastor Anderson, mixing with the writings of Hobbes, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... de Montaigne https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., and other French skeptics, also mixed with the hatred of Calvinists, and Jansenists. It will be key to understanding the anti-Catholic bias of history with liberalism, totalitarianism, and the rise of the left, and a certain atheistic materialist right. Layton, who is the one who poisons Ralph's soul is the precursor of all these epiphenomena I have mentioned. He will not be the only one who performs barbarities we see the mockery of Latimer, and as he desecrates an altar filling it with oysters. In The Tragedy of the Queen" you will see what Providence is going to bring to this character, Ridley, and Cranmer. In the second part the slowest, most bitter, and cruel we will see how encouraged by a wrong justice Ralph will behave like a demon taking his sister out of a monastery, and assaulting Lewes. We will also see the end of the Pilgrimage of Grace, and how they were vilely betrayed by Norfolk, and the King, and executed Askew, and Constable.

Continues

[Cassandra Spellman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The assault was not going to stop at matters of discipline; it was dogma that was aimed at, and, worse even than that, the foundation on which dogma rested. It was not an affair of Religious Houses, or even of morality; there was concerned the very Rock itself on which Christendom based all faith and morals.

To whom are you faithful?

This was perhaps one of the most critical questions facing the English people in the years of King Henry VIII’s reign—the period of the English Reformation. When remaining faithful to the Catholic Church could cost you your head, should you pledge your allegiance to the King’s new church?

In 1904 Father Robert Hugh Benson wrote The King’s Achievement, a historical novel that follows the lives of the Torridon family. Two brothers, Ralph and Chris, represent two contrasting paths. Ralph—of the world—works for Lord Cromwell. Meanwhile, Chris—of the spirit—enters a monastery and becomes a priest. As the persecution against the Catholic Church heightens and monasteries are attacked, Ralph becomes the antagonist who leads an attack against Chris’s monastery.

A family grieves the brother whose soul seems lost. Ralph pursues worldly success while courting the lovely Beatrice, who is a fervent Catholic, but will devotion to Lord Cromwell sabotage his burgeoning love? Can Ralph continue to justify his actions, even as he befriends and comes to respect the great Thomas More? Chris’s turbulent emotions toward his wayward brother threaten his own spiritual peace—can he learn to be in the world but not of it? And can he save his brother even while Chris’s resistance to the King’s orders places his own life in danger?

Benson does a remarkable job of bringing this era of English history to life, especially in illuminating the horrific, completely destructive persecution against the Catholic monasteries. Many monks gave their lives as martyrs. Many monasteries were looted, robbed, and destroyed. Peaceable religious men and women who had quietly carried on valuable spiritual work within the walls of these monasteries and convents suddenly found themselves on the street, nearly penniless and, objectively speaking, vocationless.

The methodical tearing apart of the Catholic Church in England is concerning in its familiarity to some of the tendencies one could observe in our own world today. The Catholic faithful of the 1530s, many of whom were not fully catechized, did not know what to believe. King Henry and his clergy expressed persuasive arguments that quickly led people astray. Then these same men criticized, condemned, and silenced those who dared defend the truth of the Catholic Church.

There are so many excellent aspects to this historical novel. Benson brings alive the personalities of St. Thomas More, King Henry VIII, and Lord Cromwell. Also, I truly enjoyed the family dynamics of the Torridon family. It’s sobering how two brothers, raised by the same parents in the same household, could veer along such completely opposite paths. At one point in the novel, Benson describes Ralph and Chris walking along with their father, just feet apart from each other, but an impassable gulf exists between them. Anyone who has experienced conflict within one’s familial relationships can relate to that sensation of heartbreaking distance among people of shared blood.

Chris’s spiritual journey is very fulfilling, especially as he overcomes his inner struggles. Within his monastery, Chris detaches himself from everything and everyone in the outside world. As the plot progresses though, Chris begins to realize that, while leaving the world behind, he still needs to be mystically one with that same world.

“Neither a life in the world would have done it, nor one in the peace of the cloister; but an alternation of the two. He had been melted by the fire of the inner life, and braced by the external bitterness of adversity.”

I will say that there are a few aspects of the plot that I found disappointing. While Benson does a superb job creating suspenseful scenes, sometimes those moments lose their punch: in two specific instances, when Chris finds himself in particularly dangerous circumstances and the stakes are high, the resolution to the conflict is quite anticlimactic. As for the romantic plot of the book, I questioned why the highly intelligent and deeply faithful Beatrice would be attracted to Ralph. However, I became most concerned by one of the major take-aways of the novel, namely that one should practice loyalty for loyalty’s sake. Faithfulness to something—or someone—bad is not a virtue and I cannot understand why it was lauded as such.

Where does your loyalty lie? Are you a faithful son or daughter to the King of Kings? The King’s Achievement reminds us that sometimes faithfulness carries a steep price. Yet, Benson depicts Saint Thomas More reminding the other characters—and us—that we are all God’s prisoners. May we serve Him loyally every day of our lives.

[Mariangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hard to put down novel about a family torn by king Henry VIII's laws. The older brother Ralph works for Cromwell, disolving the monastic communities and confiscating their goods for the king, while the younger brother and sister are a monk and a nun, who are sure about their vocations.

The descriptions of each character's path, their thoughts and justification, specially Chris as he is entering religious like, are very realistic.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent book.

[Michael J. Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Catholic Thriller

Written with elegance and beauty, The Kings Achievement outlines the story of the Torridon family in England during the reign of Henry VIII.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story focusing on several fictional characters involved in the (true) despoiling of the monasteries by Henry VIII.

Excellent main characters -- in general, Benson's godly characters seem so real (I think the main one must be like Benson himself), and several of the not-so-godly ones seem true to life as well. There is one exception -- a "good" character who is too good to be true. She seems more symbolic than meant to portray a real person (not incidentally, she's named Beatrice, as in Dante's Divine Comedy, and serves a similar role).

Bishop Fisher's martyrdom (again, a real event) is depicted through the eyes of one of the fictional characters in a vivid, arresting way that helps me to see any suffering I have in an eternal perspective. Very powerful scene.

Benson was an excellent writer and deserves to be better known!

[Almachius · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family saga and romance set amidst the dissolution of the monasteries and the martyrdom of Ss Thomas More and John Fisher.

Are all Benson's works this well crafted? I've only read two, and they've blown me away. Like all works of genius, this is an exploration of and meditation on providence and grace. The priest's-eye-view of the sacraments is intimately but tastefully shared. I loved it.

[Paolo Nardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://speloncalibro.blogspot.it/2012...

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular book! Extraordinary insights into human nature and history...

[Connie Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding book by Robert Hugh Benson!!

[Marsha Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Msgr. Benson writes this gripping novel set in England during the reign of Henry VIII. He examines such virtues as family devotion, piety, courage and loyalty in the setting of one of the most vicious persecution of Catholics in history. A wonderful book, and a free Kindle edition from Amazon.

[Frank J Leali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!

5 stars. A heartbreaking but beautiful story of the time in which Henry VIII rejected the Pope and the church. The horrible torments inflicted are described in detail but set against a beautiful family and a doomed love affair.

[Kmfp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful prose. Excellent establishment of characters. Good tension. One disappointment: ending not "full" enough. I found it a little confusing, and not sure I completely "got it".

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent old (pub 1905) novel of England under Henry VIII and its conflicted loyalties.