Cardinal Pole; Or, The Days of Philip and Mary: An Historical Romance

Name: Cardinal Pole; Or, The Days of Philip and Mary: An Historical Romance
Author: William Harrison Ainsworth

By William Harrison Ainsworth

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British Literature

About This Book

The narrative stages a sixteenth-century English political and religious drama built around the arrival and marriage of a foreign prince, the royal nuptials at Winchester, and the return of a prominent churchman. It combines courtly spectacle and ceremonial detail with street-level episodes of rescue, accusation, and trial, as characters negotiate loyalties amid efforts to reconcile the realm with Rome. Vivid local settings such as Southampton, Winchester, and Lambeth frame episodes of pageantry, clandestine refuge, and clerical diplomacy, producing a sequence of interlinked scenes that balance public ceremony, private courage, and ecclesiastical intrigue.

About the Author

William Harrison Ainsworth

William Harrison Ainsworth was an English historical novelist and playwright, active during the 19th century. He is best known for his vivid storytelling and engaging historical narratives, which often blend fact with fiction. Ainsworth's notable works include "Jack Sheppard," a tale of a notorious criminal, and "Old Saint Paul's," which explores the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London. His novels frequently feature themes of adventure and romance, set against richly detailed historical backdrops. Ainsworth's contributions to literature reflect the Victorian fascination with history and the dramatic, making him a significant figure in the genre of historical fiction.