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The Blanket of the Dark: Authorised Edition
Buchan skillfully weaves the story of young clerk Peter Pentecost, who has a claim to the throne, and a tale of intrigue against King Henry VIII, where 'under the blanket of the dark all men are alike and all are nameless'. Buchan's description of the ruthless king is compelling. His knowledge of the time of Henry's reign and his love of the Oxfordshire countryside are apparent.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1931
About the author
John Buchan
1,781 books479 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
John Buchan was a Scottish novelist, historian, and Unionist politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 15th since Canadian Confederation.
As a youth, Buchan began writing poetry and prose, fiction and non-fiction, publishing his first novel in 1895 and ultimately writing over a hundred books of which the best known is The Thirty-Nine Steps. After attending Glasgow and Oxford universities, he practised as a barrister. In 1901, he served as a private secretary to Lord Milner in southern Africa towards the end of the Boer War. He returned to England in 1903, continued as a barrister and journalist. He left the Bar when he joined Thomas Nelson and Sons publishers in 1907. During the First World War, he was, among other activities, Director of Information in 1917 and later Head of Intelligence at the newly-formed Ministry of Information. He was elected Member of Parliament for the Combined Scottish Universities in 1927.
In 1935, King George V, on the advice of Canadian Prime Minister R. B. Bennett, appointed Buchan to succeed the Earl of Bessborough as Governor General of Canada and two months later raised him to the peerage as 1st Baron Tweedsmuir. He occupied the post until his death in 1940. Buchan promoted Canadian unity and helped strengthen the sovereignty of Canada constitutionally and culturally. He received a state funeral in Canada before his ashes were returned to the United Kingdom.
John Buchan was a Scottish novelist, historian, and Unionist politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 15th since Canadian Confederation.
As a youth, Buchan began writing poetry and prose, fiction and non-fiction, publishing his first novel in 1895 and ultimately writing over a hundred books of which the best known is The Thirty-Nine Steps. After attending Glasgow and Oxford universities, he practised as a barrister. In 1901, he served as a private secretary to Lord Milner in southern Africa towards the end of the Boer War. He returned to England in 1903, continued as a barrister and journalist. He left the Bar when he joined Thomas Nelson and Sons publishers in 1907. During the First World War, he was, among other activities, Director of Information in 1917 and later Head of Intelligence at the newly-formed Ministry of Information. He was elected Member of Parliament for the Combined Scottish Universities in 1927.
In 1935, King George V, on the advice of Canadian Prime Minister R. B. Bennett, appointed Buchan to succeed the Earl of Bessborough as Governor General of Canada and two months later raised him to the peerage as 1st Baron Tweedsmuir. He occupied the post until his death in 1940. Buchan promoted Canadian unity and helped strengthen the sovereignty of Canada constitutionally and culturally. He received a state funeral in Canada before his ashes were returned to the United Kingdom.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 26, 2025
Having only previously read the ‘39 Steps’ by Buchan this was an excellent re-introduction to the vast number of books he wrote.
I picked this one up in the charity book shop at the National Trust Blickling Estate in Norfolk. My wife always gives me strict instructions not to buy anymore books. Her eyebrows raised when I emerged with three. Yes I had cut back a bit. But I digress.
This book was selected on the basis of the author and the cover which shows a stag being hunted by three red coloured hounds with a woodland showing in the background.
Blickling with its connection to Anne Boleyn was a prime location for finding the book which has Henry VIII as a character. The introduction by Robert Hutchinson gives a short overview of the turbulent times the book is set in.
‘The Blanket of the Dark is set in 1536-7, as the flames of bloody insurrection again burn brightly in the east and north of England; this time triggered by the cynical dissolution of the monasteries and the common people’s virulent hatred of the eponymous Thomas Cromwell.’
Buchan's hero is Peter Pentecost who is the lost son of the third Duke of Buckingham with a legitimate claim to Henry’s crown. The story recounts his move from a clerk in a Monastery, being trained in martial arts to a denouement with Henry at the end of the book.
Well we all know from history that Peter didn’t succeed. But Buchan paints a convincing story. Some of the descriptions of starvation and the scene when Peter is caught in a snowstorm are visceral.
The characters and the language painted by Buchan feel very real. I intend to read more of his works. Took me a while to read as life got in the way.
I picked this one up in the charity book shop at the National Trust Blickling Estate in Norfolk. My wife always gives me strict instructions not to buy anymore books. Her eyebrows raised when I emerged with three. Yes I had cut back a bit. But I digress.
This book was selected on the basis of the author and the cover which shows a stag being hunted by three red coloured hounds with a woodland showing in the background.
Blickling with its connection to Anne Boleyn was a prime location for finding the book which has Henry VIII as a character. The introduction by Robert Hutchinson gives a short overview of the turbulent times the book is set in.
‘The Blanket of the Dark is set in 1536-7, as the flames of bloody insurrection again burn brightly in the east and north of England; this time triggered by the cynical dissolution of the monasteries and the common people’s virulent hatred of the eponymous Thomas Cromwell.’
Buchan's hero is Peter Pentecost who is the lost son of the third Duke of Buckingham with a legitimate claim to Henry’s crown. The story recounts his move from a clerk in a Monastery, being trained in martial arts to a denouement with Henry at the end of the book.
Well we all know from history that Peter didn’t succeed. But Buchan paints a convincing story. Some of the descriptions of starvation and the scene when Peter is caught in a snowstorm are visceral.
The characters and the language painted by Buchan feel very real. I intend to read more of his works. Took me a while to read as life got in the way.
October 12, 2019
When Peter Pentecost learns about his true heritage it opens up a world of possibilities far removed from the life he’d imagined as a lowly clerk. Soon he’s being tutored in swordmanship, archery and other pursuits applicable to his new station in life, although his true identity must remain secret. He also meets noblewoman, Sabine Beauforest.
In Sabine, Buchan creates a female character quite different from the rather colourless specimens that often inhabit his books. (The exception being the plucky Mary Lamington, first introduced in Mr. Standfast.) Although Sabine’s first appearance is as a ‘nymph-like’ creature, later descriptions emphasise her voluptuous figure and there are hints of real sexual attraction between her and Peter Pentecost. She also becomes a kind of talisman for him although it’s not long before he finds he has a rival for her affections.
Peter also encounters Solomon Darking who introduces him to the lore of the countryside and reveals to him a whole other side of society, invisible to those in positions of power, with its own system of communication and intelligence gathering.
The Blanket of the Dark showcases John Buchan’s knowledge of and appreciation for the Cotswold countryside. His beloved Elsfield, the manor house that became his country home, even gets a mention. ‘The opposite slope of the hill towards Elsfield was golden in the afternoon sunlight, and mottled with shadows of a few summer clouds.’
The book features imagined and real-life characters. The most memorable example of the latter is Peter’s first sighting of Henry VIII leading his hunting party through the Woodstock estate. ‘He was plainly dressed, with trunk hose of brown leather and a green doublet with a jewel at his throat… The face was vast and red as a new ham, a sheer mountain of a face, for it was as broad as it was long, and the small features seemed to give it a profile like an egg.’
There are some dramatic scenes, notably one during a violent snowstorm and another when a dam bursts, the latter resulting in a fateful encounter. In fact, the elements play a key role in the book with rain, snow or fine weather often determining the outcome of an enterprise. Weather lore, as possessed by Solomon Darking and his vagabond comrades, becomes a valuable weapon. However, in spite of best laid plans, Peter finds himself becoming the pursued rather than the pursuer as the book reaches its conclusion.
From the beginning, Peter fears ‘a destiny too big for him’ and that he is merely ‘a weapon to be used’. As time goes by, the things he sees and experiences cause him to doubt the rightfulness of the venture he is being asked to undertake and the motives of those behind it. ‘They claimed to stand for the elder England and its rights, and the old Church, but at their heart they stood only for themselves.’
I can now appreciate why The Blanket of the Dark is so highly regarded amongst Buchan’s works, including by his latest biographer, Ursula Buchan, who is also his granddaughter. The Blanket of the Dark is the book Ursula always recommends to readers who wish to venture beyond his spy novels. Far be it from me to disagree.
In Sabine, Buchan creates a female character quite different from the rather colourless specimens that often inhabit his books. (The exception being the plucky Mary Lamington, first introduced in Mr. Standfast.) Although Sabine’s first appearance is as a ‘nymph-like’ creature, later descriptions emphasise her voluptuous figure and there are hints of real sexual attraction between her and Peter Pentecost. She also becomes a kind of talisman for him although it’s not long before he finds he has a rival for her affections.
Peter also encounters Solomon Darking who introduces him to the lore of the countryside and reveals to him a whole other side of society, invisible to those in positions of power, with its own system of communication and intelligence gathering.
The Blanket of the Dark showcases John Buchan’s knowledge of and appreciation for the Cotswold countryside. His beloved Elsfield, the manor house that became his country home, even gets a mention. ‘The opposite slope of the hill towards Elsfield was golden in the afternoon sunlight, and mottled with shadows of a few summer clouds.’
The book features imagined and real-life characters. The most memorable example of the latter is Peter’s first sighting of Henry VIII leading his hunting party through the Woodstock estate. ‘He was plainly dressed, with trunk hose of brown leather and a green doublet with a jewel at his throat… The face was vast and red as a new ham, a sheer mountain of a face, for it was as broad as it was long, and the small features seemed to give it a profile like an egg.’
There are some dramatic scenes, notably one during a violent snowstorm and another when a dam bursts, the latter resulting in a fateful encounter. In fact, the elements play a key role in the book with rain, snow or fine weather often determining the outcome of an enterprise. Weather lore, as possessed by Solomon Darking and his vagabond comrades, becomes a valuable weapon. However, in spite of best laid plans, Peter finds himself becoming the pursued rather than the pursuer as the book reaches its conclusion.
From the beginning, Peter fears ‘a destiny too big for him’ and that he is merely ‘a weapon to be used’. As time goes by, the things he sees and experiences cause him to doubt the rightfulness of the venture he is being asked to undertake and the motives of those behind it. ‘They claimed to stand for the elder England and its rights, and the old Church, but at their heart they stood only for themselves.’
I can now appreciate why The Blanket of the Dark is so highly regarded amongst Buchan’s works, including by his latest biographer, Ursula Buchan, who is also his granddaughter. The Blanket of the Dark is the book Ursula always recommends to readers who wish to venture beyond his spy novels. Far be it from me to disagree.
November 3, 2023
A fascinating tale set in time of the old Henry VIII. One Peter Pentecost, a clerk at an abbey, is in reality the last of the Bohun, a mighty family that royalty springs from. Some of the lords, plus many of the common folk, especially beggars and those who live just outside the law, support Peter and train him in ways of nature and war. Although he falls in with the plan for a while, when he has the chance to overwhelm and capture Henry who is out hunting during a flood, he lets the chance slip through his fingers. Peter is concerned for the old ways and the good of the Church and believes that Henry is ruining both, causing abbeys to fail and the common folk to suffer even more. Although captured by a duplicitous Henry, he escapes with the help of the vagabonds and disappears into history. The tone is conservative and a bit reactionary, but the appeals to an older and better way of life is romantic if. To realistic.
March 5, 2015
What can I say about this book which reminded me of many I read as a child. I thought I would give up early but didn't as I began to appreciate the excellent way in which it was written, albeit perhaps rather 'old fashioned' for some. The descriptions of the countryside and how the common people understood it was outstanding. It also brought home how travelling from A to B and even ones very survival was dependant on that knowledge and most importantly how the state of the weather affected everything. Although I guessed the ending it was rather a good tale portraying what it was like for highborn and lowborn to live in Tudor England while Cromwell and Henry V111 were throwing their weight around causing the unsuccessful rebellion the 'Pilgrimage of Grace'.
Read
January 15, 2020Beautifully written. Every time I pick this book up I am taken up and drawn in...... I wish I had read it in less anxious environmental and political times when I would have loved this historical fiction set during the time of Henry VIII. However I'm having trouble reading fiction at all at the moment. So at the moment I am oversensitive and I keep getting pulled up by John Buchan's nonsensical notions. The book description has the quote 'under the blanket of the dark all men are alike and all are nameless' - but actually they are not alike - the blood of some of them comes from 'noble' lines (of violence, greed and butchery[ed]) and in Buchan's head that matters.
November 21, 2023
Another historical tale in the same tone of Buchan's book Midwinter - majestic, romantic, woodsy-wild, gently tragic, and featuring a historical cameo. His Henry VIII is very believable, as is his Samuel Johnson in Midwinter.
The deep soul-searchings and grim fall/winter setting of most of the tale make it not quite cheery reading, but it is utterly gripping, and some eerie October scenes and odd threads of mysticism make it feel like a Halloween read. One misses the bluff bravado of Richard Hannay who is so beloved to Buchan's readers, but the sober tones of the history tales show further facets of Buchan's skill as a writer.
The deep soul-searchings and grim fall/winter setting of most of the tale make it not quite cheery reading, but it is utterly gripping, and some eerie October scenes and odd threads of mysticism make it feel like a Halloween read. One misses the bluff bravado of Richard Hannay who is so beloved to Buchan's readers, but the sober tones of the history tales show further facets of Buchan's skill as a writer.
August 26, 2012
Pleasantly surprised. John Buchan's historical novel is far superior to his jingoistic WW1 spy fiction. There's still plenty of action, but there's far deeper philosophy behind it.
June 14, 2017
Reminds me of Sir Walter Scott's writing. Wonderful story! I love it!
January 27, 2019
John Buchan, The Blanket of the Dark (1931, London) Hodder & Stoughton, publisher
Diarmaid MacCulloch tipped me off to this book, in the “Introduction” to his wonderful biography of Thomas Cromwell. Discussing how the name “Cromwell” is likely to have been pronounced in the 16th Century, Professor MacCulloch writes
" ...I think that John Buchan was correct in his haunting historical fantasy The Blanket of the Dark (which I commend to the young at heart) in styling him Crummle.”
After reading MacCulloch’s 700-plus page book, I turned to Buchan’s shorter volume. In The Blanket of the Dark, there’s something of Harry Potter’s England or, even closer, Lyra Belaqua’s Oxford in Northern Lights (The Golden Compass in North America).
The novel is set in the 1530s, during the reign of Henry VIII and the ascendancy of his chief counsellor Thomas Cromwell, and it explores the consequences - the what-if hypothetical history - if Henry had been overthrown by a descendant of Edward III.
Fans of King Arthur, Harry Potter, Lyra Belaqua, and Paul Atreides of Dune will recognize the pattern of the plot. Peter Pentecost, raised in poverty and educated for a life in the Church, learns he is really the son of a noble family -- indeed, he has a royal lineage strong enough to challenge the King. Adventures ensue.
If you can’t find this book at your local library, you can read it for free on Project Gutenberg Australia: http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0301.... I hope you do!
Diarmaid MacCulloch tipped me off to this book, in the “Introduction” to his wonderful biography of Thomas Cromwell. Discussing how the name “Cromwell” is likely to have been pronounced in the 16th Century, Professor MacCulloch writes
" ...I think that John Buchan was correct in his haunting historical fantasy The Blanket of the Dark (which I commend to the young at heart) in styling him Crummle.”
After reading MacCulloch’s 700-plus page book, I turned to Buchan’s shorter volume. In The Blanket of the Dark, there’s something of Harry Potter’s England or, even closer, Lyra Belaqua’s Oxford in Northern Lights (The Golden Compass in North America).
The novel is set in the 1530s, during the reign of Henry VIII and the ascendancy of his chief counsellor Thomas Cromwell, and it explores the consequences - the what-if hypothetical history - if Henry had been overthrown by a descendant of Edward III.
Fans of King Arthur, Harry Potter, Lyra Belaqua, and Paul Atreides of Dune will recognize the pattern of the plot. Peter Pentecost, raised in poverty and educated for a life in the Church, learns he is really the son of a noble family -- indeed, he has a royal lineage strong enough to challenge the King. Adventures ensue.
If you can’t find this book at your local library, you can read it for free on Project Gutenberg Australia: http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0301.... I hope you do!
April 28, 2026
If I saw this book on a shelf a month ago I very much doubt I would have picked it up. I know next to nothing of Buchan (and wouldn't even have associated his name with The 39 Steps before now... which I have, in fact, heard of), the title hardly suggests the content, and this old Hodder and Stoughton edition has absolutely no cover blurb. However, it was recommended in the introduction to the excellent Thomas Cromwell biography by Diarmaid MacCulloch, and I was intrigued.
Henry V is purging England of Catholics, closing down abbeys (where he doesn't turn them into colleges), and generally causing deep unrest. The countryside is being lost to farming, and more and more of the land, once held to be common, is being claimed by the rich. Revolution brews, but the a figurehead is needed, someone with a claim to royal blood with more standing than the Tudors. Peter Pentecost, an all-unknowing and quite frustrated Oxford clerk, is that man, and plans are set in motion to turn him into a rival to the king of England, and a champion of the poor oppressed.
TBotD is fast-paced, but never rushed, and the pages turn with speed. There are a myriad of characters, all well-drawn and engaging - and Peter's development amongst them is handled with considerable skill. The language is gorgeous, steeped in time and place. But these are not the book's main draw: Buchan's descriptions of the English countryside are nothing short of wonderful, full of deep love, learning, and a melancholy for something passing inexorably away.
A rich, masterful tale. Recommended.
Henry V is purging England of Catholics, closing down abbeys (where he doesn't turn them into colleges), and generally causing deep unrest. The countryside is being lost to farming, and more and more of the land, once held to be common, is being claimed by the rich. Revolution brews, but the a figurehead is needed, someone with a claim to royal blood with more standing than the Tudors. Peter Pentecost, an all-unknowing and quite frustrated Oxford clerk, is that man, and plans are set in motion to turn him into a rival to the king of England, and a champion of the poor oppressed.
TBotD is fast-paced, but never rushed, and the pages turn with speed. There are a myriad of characters, all well-drawn and engaging - and Peter's development amongst them is handled with considerable skill. The language is gorgeous, steeped in time and place. But these are not the book's main draw: Buchan's descriptions of the English countryside are nothing short of wonderful, full of deep love, learning, and a melancholy for something passing inexorably away.
A rich, masterful tale. Recommended.
August 17, 2019
First published in 1931, 'The Blanket of the Dark' is a historical adventure set in Tudor times. Peter Pentecost, a clerk in a medieval abbey near Oxford, learns that he is the true heir to the throne instead of Henry VIII, and finds himself being manipulated by various factions in a bid to overthrow the monarch. The plot contains familiar elements - I was reminded of 'The Free Fishers' by the same author at times, as well Buchan's seemingly favourite theme of the fugitive. The writing style is very atmospheric and, whilst the main character is not the liveliest, he is certainly more believable in my opinion. Historical fact means that the plot has all the inevitability of a tragedy, but I don't think it suffers as a result - but it does mean that it about as different from the Hannay stories as you could get.
March 4, 2026
This has been another invitation for googling and map inspection, looking at turbulent Tudor conspiracy and the tangle of rivers that converge on Oxford. The threads of real history that Buchan entwines with his romantic celebrations of the eternal 'merrie England' wildwood are a great treat when looking for 'something different'. The writing style may at time be a challenge, as the book uses an olde English grammar and vocabulary for conversations, but there's a good story here and a real celebration of the layers of history, the seasons, and topography we enjoy, and are part of, in Britain.
October 30, 2021
I picked this up at my sister's home and read the first chapter, not knowing anything about the story. When my sister told me what it was about - a young lad who discovers that he has as good a claim to the crown as the current king, Henry VIII, and becomes the focus of a conspiracy against the king - I nearly decided not to read any further. After all, you know from history that the conspiracy didn't succeed...
I did finish it, and quite enjoyed it. But it was still a bit disappointing.
I did finish it, and quite enjoyed it. But it was still a bit disappointing.
January 24, 2024
Buchan's brilliant and evocative writing carries the reader right into the heart of this ill fated uprising against Henry VIII. His descriptions of the geography of the area covered , the very varied characters and the extreme weather conditions bring them all completely to life. This book is excellent and very erudite, I just wish I could remember more of my A-level Latin!
February 20, 2019
A solid historical Buchan set in the time of Henry viii. Story is less exciting than other Buchans because we know the fictional overthrow of Henry didn’t succeed, but the historical details are good and remarkably relevant today .
March 19, 2025
Not Buchan’a best imo and a weirdly unsatisfying final act — but still, strong characters, a vivid depiction of England, good commentary on Christian morals, and very immersive for a work of historical fiction.
January 5, 2018
A thoroughly enjoyable historical from the extremely talented JB.
August 4, 2022
Really loved reading this book. Magic in the old country, magic in its common people, magic in the writing.
June 21, 2023
One of Buchan's finest historical novels, with an engaging story, brilliantly realized setting, and a thematically rich character arc for the protagonist, Peter Pentecost. Full review for John Buchan June at the blog.
April 30, 2018
Intense atmosphere of England in the early 16th C when the Tudor usurpers (so I say) reigned: Oxford, monasteries, gypsies, hedge-priests, chases, Severn in flood, romance, dreams of glory, and a decision about what it takes to be a king: ruthlessness and love of power. Like most of Buchan's books, I read this every ten years and always enjoy it. Witch Wood, for its love story and the introduction of Montrose, just edges Blanket as my personal favorite; John McNab brings the most joy. Having just (April 2018) re-read Blanket I declare it Buchan's best novel, though the two mentioned above keep their places unchanged.
July 18, 2016
This book is OK if you like descriptions of traveling around the Oxford area and west country in the 1530s. There are some interesting descriptions of the world of vagrants and beggars of the time but the hero is a bit boring and nothing very much happens. What is good are the descriptions of Henry VIII as seen with the eyes of the common people rather than the image Henry himself wanted to present to the world. He comes over as a pragmatist and an evil genius driven to bring peace and security to England no matter what the cost is to the people he rules.
March 10, 2014
It started well, the story seemed promising and I like the title. However, the story became quite rambling and I lost the thread in the middle. The book is written in an old form of English which became quite tiresome. It's a pity because John Buchan is a good storyteller-this isn't one of his best books though.
November 16, 2013
I found this book heavy going. John Buchan has written some classic books which I have loved & that is probably why I read this one but there was little to endear me to this story and the main character, Peter Pentecost was such a grey man that I was grateful to bring this read to a close. Give me Richard Hannay every time!
July 29, 2016
This historical novel set in the time of Henry V111 features a young man whom certain nobles want to be the figurehead of a rebellion. The author again returns to the idea that there is a hidden England.
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July 23, 2011Very well written
May 28, 2014
I must have a very low tolerance for the "derring-do in the Greenwood" genre of fiction; one of Buchan's sillier novels.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews