Tudor Survivor: The Life and Times of Courtier William Paulet

by Margaret Scard

Overview

William Paulet was the ultimate courtier. For an astonishing 46 years he served at the courts of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth and was one of the men responsible for introducing the changes in religious, economic and social issues which shaped England as we know it today. He was a judge at the trials of Fisher, More and the alleged accomplices of Anne Boleyn, and though born a commoner, by his death he was the senior peer in England and, as Lord High Treasurer, he held one of the most influential positions at court. With his long and varied career within the royal household and in government, a study of Paulet presents an excellent opportunity to look in more detail at courtly life, allowing the reader an understanding of how he spent his working day. Tudor Survivor is the biography of the man who defined the role of courtier, but also gives valuable insight into everyday life, from etiquette and bathing, to court politics and the monarchs themselves. When asked how he had managed to survive so long, Paulet replied ‘By being a willow, not an oak’. The author’s research shows that this remarkable man was steelier than he admitted.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780752470108
Publisher:	The History Press
Publication date:	05/01/2012
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

MARGARET SCARD’s interest in the Tudor period is focused particularly on the court life and politics of sixteenth century England. The extensive research for her books has been underpinned by study at Oxford University. She is the author of Tudor King in All But Name: The Life of Edward Seymour and Survivor: The Life and Times of William Paulet, both published by The History Press.

Table of Contents

Preface 6

Chronology of the Life of William Paulet and Wider Events 7

1 The Early Years 11

2 Growing Influence in Hampshire 25

3 Master of the King's Wards and the Royal Divorce 33

4 Comptroller of the King's Household and the Act of Supremacy 47

5 The Dissolution of the Monasteries and the Pilgrimage of Grace 67

6 Treasurer of the Household and the Fall of Cromwell 79

7 Privy Councillor and Lord Chamberlain 89

8 The Siege of Boulogne and Lord Great Master 101

9 Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and the Fall of the Seymours 121

10 Lord High Treasurer and Marquis of Winchester 139

11 The Death of Edward and the Disputed Succession 157

12 Matters of Finance and the Return of Catholicism 169

13 The King of Spain and War with France 189

14 A New Queen and the Restructuring of the Exchequer 197

15 An Oak, not a Willow 215

Paulet Family c. 1340-1572 222

Notes 223

Bibliography 243

Index 251

Editorial Reviews

"Fascinating reading."  —Booklist

From the Publisher