Heirs of Ambition

The Making of the Boleyns

Claire Martin

$49.99

Hardback

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English

HISTORY PRESS
01 November 2023

Biography: historical, political & military; Biography: royalty; History; British & Irish history; Early modern history: c 1450 to c 1700

The aristocratic daughter of earls and dukes; the polished, intelligent courtesan; the dark-haired temptress and the spurned wife, persecuted by enemies and condemned by her husband. Anne Boleyn was all of these things. Her maternal lineage, extensive education and courtly charm are undisputed, but behind her name lay a not-so-secret truth. Her great-grandfather, Geoffrey Boleyn, was a London merchant, whose successful career had made the family astonishingly rich. This was alarming enough to the royal court, but a short ascent into the older branches of the Boleyn family tree revealed forebears even further removed from the glitter and gold of aristocracy. Geoffrey's ancestors were little more than Norfolk farmers and craftsmen, and despite countless generations between the plough and the palace, it was a heritage that Anne found difficult to leave behind. Medieval England is often portrayed as a land polarised by wealth and status. In this England, a peasant could never dream of changing his class and a descendant of his could never sit upon the throne. Except, he could. This is the story of the Boleyn family, who did just that, and the age which made it possible.

AUTHOR: Dr Claire Martin is an expert in the history of late-medieval England. She has a BA in History from St Peter's College, Oxford and a MA in Medieval Studies from Royal Holloway, University of London. She has previously taught at Royal Holloway, University of London and Queen Mary, University of London.

20 colour illustrations

By: Claire Martin
Imprint: HISTORY PRESS
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9780750999984
ISBN 10: 0750999985
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 01 November 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Dr Claire Martin is an expert in the history of late-medieval England. She has a BA in History from St Peter’s College, Oxford and a MA in Medieval Studies from Royal Holloway, University of London. She has previously taught at Royal Holloway, University of London and Queen Mary, University of London.

Reviews for Heirs of Ambition: The Making of the Boleyns

'The Boleyns are one of the most famous families in history, but what this book brings vividly to life is the hitherto untold story of their rise to prominence. It is far more than just a prelude to the well-trodden tale of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, and boasts a fascinating cast of characters who until now have remained in the shadows. I don't think I will ever look at the Boleyns in the same light again.' – Tracy Borman