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The Man on a Donkey: Part 1: A Chronicle
As good as a historical novel can be—fresh, imaginative, sensitively written.”
— The New York Post The Man on a Donkey is an enthralling, panoramic historical novel that brings to life one of the most tumultuous times in British history—the reign of King Henry VIII.
In Part 1, readers are introduced to the world of the Tudors through the lives of five individuals. When King Henry VIII takes his mistress as his new wife, seizes Church property, and declares himself the only supreme head of the Church of England, the lives and fortunes of these five people are shaken—setting the stage for the momentous events in Part 2 of The Man on a Donkey .
— The New York Post The Man on a Donkey is an enthralling, panoramic historical novel that brings to life one of the most tumultuous times in British history—the reign of King Henry VIII.
In Part 1, readers are introduced to the world of the Tudors through the lives of five individuals. When King Henry VIII takes his mistress as his new wife, seizes Church property, and declares himself the only supreme head of the Church of England, the lives and fortunes of these five people are shaken—setting the stage for the momentous events in Part 2 of The Man on a Donkey .
- GenresFiction
536 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2008
About the author
H.F.M. Prescott
22 books22 followersHilda Francis Margaret Prescott, MA, MA, D.Litt, FRSL was born in Cheshire, the daughter of Rev. James Mulleneux Prescott and his wife Margaret (née Warburton).
She was educated at Wallasey High School and subsequently read Modern History at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford where she received her first MA. Later, she studied Medieval and Modern History at Manchester University, from which she earned a second MA. She was awarded an honorary D.Litt. by the University of Durham. In 1958, she was elected Jubilee Research Fellow at Royal Holloway College in the University of London where she researched the life of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.
She is perhaps best known for her historical novel 'The Man on a Donkey;' written in the form of a chronicle, it tells the story of the Pilgrimage of Grace, a popular rising in protest at the Dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII.
Her biography of Queen Mary I of England, 'Mary Tudor' (originally titled 'Spanish Tudor'), won the James Tait Black Prize in 1941 and remains a well-respected biography.
Prescott wrote one thriller, 'Dead and Not Buried,' and this was adapted in 1954 for CBS's Climax! television series under the title 'Bury Me Later.'
Her interests included travel and a love of the English countryside and she lived for many years in Charlbury, Oxfordshire.
She was educated at Wallasey High School and subsequently read Modern History at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford where she received her first MA. Later, she studied Medieval and Modern History at Manchester University, from which she earned a second MA. She was awarded an honorary D.Litt. by the University of Durham. In 1958, she was elected Jubilee Research Fellow at Royal Holloway College in the University of London where she researched the life of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.
She is perhaps best known for her historical novel 'The Man on a Donkey;' written in the form of a chronicle, it tells the story of the Pilgrimage of Grace, a popular rising in protest at the Dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII.
Her biography of Queen Mary I of England, 'Mary Tudor' (originally titled 'Spanish Tudor'), won the James Tait Black Prize in 1941 and remains a well-respected biography.
Prescott wrote one thriller, 'Dead and Not Buried,' and this was adapted in 1954 for CBS's Climax! television series under the title 'Bury Me Later.'
Her interests included travel and a love of the English countryside and she lived for many years in Charlbury, Oxfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 19, 2019
This is how historical novels* should be written! Part 1 of The Man on a Donkey covers the time period, 1509 through 1535, of King Henry VIII’s England and tells the story through the eyes of Christabel Cowper, Prioress; Lord Thomas Darcy; Robert Aske, Squire; Julian Savage, Gentlewoman; and Gilbert Dawe, Priest. The first three named individuals were real persons who lived and died; the last two are fictional characters, although Julian is placed as the younger sister of a real woman, Margaret Savage, thus tying her to many actual events. Besides viewing the era through the eyes of these individuals, we are given occasional glimpses of life at court, where the King, his women, ministers and others maneuver through the slippery slime of greed, power, sex and politics. But mostly their doings are related by the common folk, lords and squires as they try to figure how these new times are to be understood.
The Man on a Donkey is actually a chronicle, related in a series of dated events which makes checking everything in the story very easy. I like that, especially given the controversial nature of the epoch. Truly I thought I knew quite a bit about King Harry, but I was surprised. For example, though I was familiar with executions of Sir Thomas More and Archbishop Fisher, I did not know about the grizzly executions of the Carthusians on May 4, 1535, nor the others which followed, but it was a simple matter to look up. I discovered what a monster Henry was. (But Mary was bloody, do not forget!)
A most riveting read! I eagerly close this book and run to open Part 2!
*This was recommended by Ruth Burrows in Essence of Prayer so many times I was intrigued and then when I discovered the author had written another favorite, Son of Dust, well that was enough. It was originally issued in two volumes. Not surprised. This is rather thick. However, as I got into it, I was only sorry that it wasn’t thicker. I have checked out the author and scouted out other books by her. She is an EXCELLENT writer and a reliable historian.
The Man on a Donkey is actually a chronicle, related in a series of dated events which makes checking everything in the story very easy. I like that, especially given the controversial nature of the epoch. Truly I thought I knew quite a bit about King Harry, but I was surprised. For example, though I was familiar with executions of Sir Thomas More and Archbishop Fisher, I did not know about the grizzly executions of the Carthusians on May 4, 1535, nor the others which followed, but it was a simple matter to look up. I discovered what a monster Henry was. (But Mary was bloody, do not forget!)
A most riveting read! I eagerly close this book and run to open Part 2!
*This was recommended by Ruth Burrows in Essence of Prayer so many times I was intrigued and then when I discovered the author had written another favorite, Son of Dust, well that was enough. It was originally issued in two volumes. Not surprised. This is rather thick. However, as I got into it, I was only sorry that it wasn’t thicker. I have checked out the author and scouted out other books by her. She is an EXCELLENT writer and a reliable historian.
September 7, 2024
I just can't get past all the blasphemies and taking the Lord's name or Holy Objects in vain. Are you seriously going to suggest pious Queen Katherine blasphemed so casually? Give me a break.
So-called Catholic publisher - I give up!
So-called Catholic publisher - I give up!
August 14, 2022
Will write review for both halves once I've read part two.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews