Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

---

England, 1500

Mantel presents Cromwell in a radically different light:

In Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel presents Thomas Cromwell not as a Machiavellian villain or a mere bureaucrat but as a deeply intelligent and adaptable man shaped by a harsh upbringing. His survival instincts and pragmatism define his approach to power, allowing him to navigate the treacherous world of Henry VIII’s court with remarkable skill.

Unlike traditional historical accounts that emphasize his ruthlessness, Mantel offers a more sympathetic and humanized portrayal. She highlights his personal losses, his unwavering loyalty to his family, and his strong sense of justice, showing a man who is not only politically astute but also deeply affected by the tragedies in his life.

Cromwell is also depicted as a man ahead of his time, valuing merit over birth and remaining skeptical of religious dogma while understanding the necessity of playing the political game. His rise from a blacksmith’s son to Henry VIII’s chief minister is framed as a triumph of intellect and perseverance over aristocratic entitlement, making him the ultimate insider-outsider in a world ruled by lineage and privilege.

Mantel’s Wolf Hall challenges older portrayals by reclaiming Cromwell as a protagonist rather than a villain. Unlike earlier popular culture, which framed him as a cold opportunist, and unlike some academic views that emphasize his administrative skills, Mantel makes him a deeply human, strategic, and quietly powerful figure. Her work aligns more with recent historical perspectives that acknowledge both his reformer’s vision and his political ruthlessness. 

A Fresh Perspective To Jump Start The Entire Historical Fiction Genre

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel is a remarkable book. It tells the story of Thomas Cromwell, a historical figure often depicted as a scheming villain, but Mantel presents him as a complex, shrewd, and often sympathetic protagonist. The novel employs a unique, fluid third-person limited perspective, often using "he" to refer to Cromwell in an intimate, almost stream-of-consciousness way, which draws readers deep into his mind. Mantel meticulously reconstructs the political and social world of early Tudor England, making history feel immediate and alive rather than distant and academic.

The book explores the psychology of power, ambition, and survival in Henry VIII's court, presenting Cromwell as a man of intelligence and pragmatism rather than just a cold manipulator. Mantel’s writing is elegant, vivid, and often poetic, making historical events and figures feel tangible and emotionally resonant. It won the Man Booker Prize in 2009 and was followed by Bring Up the Bodies (which also won the Booker Prize, a rare feat) and The Mirror and the Light, completing a critically acclaimed trilogy. The novel stands out because it reshapes how historical fiction can be written, offering a fresh perspective on familiar events while maintaining a gripping, literary quality.

The portrayal of Thomas Cromwell has evolved significantly over time, shifting from a villainous figure in early popular culture to a more complex and even sympathetic character in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall. These changes reflect broader shifts in historiography and popular storytelling.

A Literary Legacy of Thomas Cromwell: Academic & Literary Perspectives

Historians have debated Cromwell’s legacy for centuries: The traditional view of Thomas Cromwell, which dominated historical narratives from the 19th to the early 20th century, was largely shaped by Protestant perspectives. Many historians of this era regarded Cromwell as a champion of the English Reformation, a pragmatic administrator, and a modernizing force in government. His role in shaping England’s religious and political landscape was often framed in a positive light, emphasizing his contributions to the nation’s transformation.

By the mid-20th century, a revisionist perspective emerged, led by historians such as Geoffrey Elton. This interpretation positioned Cromwell as the principal architect of the modern English state, highlighting his efforts to centralize power and establish a more bureaucratic form of governance. Rather than focusing on questions of morality, revisionist historians underscored his administrative genius and the structural reforms he introduced, which laid the foundations for a more organized and efficient government.

More recently, a counter-revisionist approach has gained traction, offering a more critical assessment of Cromwell’s legacy. Historians like Diarmaid MacCulloch have depicted him as a ruthless political operator who played a key role in dismantling monastic institutions while consolidating power for the Tudor state. This perspective acknowledges his pragmatism and administrative skill but also emphasizes his capacity for cold calculation and political brutality, presenting a more complex and sometimes darker portrait of his influence.

Earlier Popular Culture Depictions: Before Hilary Mantel’s reinterpretation, Thomas Cromwell was typically cast as a villain or a secondary character, particularly in works that centered on Sir Thomas More. In Shakespeare’s Henry VIII (1613), Cromwell is largely absent, while More is depicted as a principled martyr, reinforcing the later perception of Cromwell as a sinister figure operating behind the scenes.

This portrayal became more pronounced in Robert Bolt’s A Man for All Seasons, first staged as a play in 1960 and later adapted into a film in 1966. Here, Cromwell takes on the role of the chief antagonist, a ruthless enforcer orchestrating More’s downfall. Cold, authoritarian, and politically calculating, this version of Cromwell shaped public perception for decades, presenting him as the embodiment of oppression in contrast to More’s noble defiance.

Throughout the 1970s and 1990s, television and film adaptations continued this trend. In productions such as The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970) and Henry VIII and His Six Wives (1972), Cromwell appears as a shadowy, scheming figure, dedicated to manipulating Henry and eliminating perceived threats like Anne Boleyn. These portrayals cemented his reputation as a behind-the-scenes power broker, a man driven by ambition and devoid of moral scruples.

Thomas Cromwell’s portrayal in contemporary fiction

Thomas Cromwell’s portrayal in contemporary fiction varies widely across genres, depending on the author’s perspective and the type of story being told. While Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall is the most famous modern interpretation, other authors—whether in historical fiction, romance, or even military fiction—have taken different approaches to his character.

Historical Fiction: This genre tends to explore Cromwell as a political operator, either sympathetically or as a calculating powerbroker.

C.J. Sansom – Revelation (2008) & Lamentation (2014) (Shardlake series): Sansom’s novels, set during Henry VIII’s reign, depict Cromwell as ruthless and feared, a man who wields power efficiently but without sentimentality. In earlier books in the series (Dissolution), he is seen as a reformer dismantling the monasteries, but later, as the series progresses, the tone shifts, portraying him as a man with a sharp legal mind who also understands the dangers of court politics.

Alison Weir – Anne Boleyn: A King’s Obsession: Cromwell is largely viewed from Anne’s perspective—a dangerous rival, not a sympathetic figure.

Romance and Courtly Drama: Romance novels set in the Tudor period often depict Cromwell through the lens of Henry VIII’s wives and mistresses, making him a secondary but influential figure.

Philippa Gregory – The Other Boleyn Girl (2001) & The Boleyn Inheritance (2006): Gregory’s books focus on court intrigue, and Cromwell appears as a calculating, ambitious figure who engineers Anne Boleyn’s downfall and later orchestrates the marriage of Anne of Cleves. Unlike Mantel’s Cromwell, who is deeply personal and nuanced, Gregory’s version is more pragmatic and power-hungry, viewed with suspicion by noble characters.

Jean Plaidy – Murder Most Royal (1949): Cromwell is a background character in Plaidy’s take on Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard’s fates, but he is shown as a driven and humorless man, working single-mindedly toward his objectives.

Military and Spy Fiction: Though not a traditional subject in military fiction, Cromwell appears in stories where espionage, war, and rebellion play a role in the Tudor era.

Rory Clements – Revenger (2009) & Martyr (2009) (John Shakespeare series): These novels follow John Shakespeare (brother of William Shakespeare) in Elizabethan England, dealing with spies and court politics. Cromwell appears in backstory as an early architect of England’s intelligence network, credited with laying the groundwork for Walsingham’s later spy network under Elizabeth I. Here, he is seen as an early master of espionage, ruthless but essential to national security.

S.J. Parris – Heresy (2010) (Giordano Bruno series, historical thriller/mystery): Cromwell is referenced as part of the broader reformation struggle. His legacy is viewed through a Protestant lens, positioning him as a dangerous but necessary reformer in a world of Catholic plots and Tudor paranoia.

Alternative and Speculative Fiction: Some contemporary fiction reimagines Cromwell in alternate history or speculative settings.

H.M. Castor – VIII (2011) (YA Historical Fiction, Henry VIII’s Perspective): Told from Henry’s viewpoint, Cromwell is an adviser and a shadowy presence, one who understands power better than Henry himself. Unlike Mantel’s deep internal portrait, this book keeps Cromwell distant and enigmatic—an operator rather than a protagonist.

Laura Andersen – The Boleyn Trilogy (2013) (Alternate history—Anne Boleyn’s son survives and rules England): Cromwell is a background figure in the first book, but his policies influence the alternate Tudor world. He is neither hero nor villain but instead a pragmatic statesman whose legacy shapes England’s survival.

Across different genres, Cromwell’s portrayal changes depending on whose story is being told. In Mantel’s Wolf Hall, he is a self-made man, complex and humane. In romantic or courtly fiction, he is often a schemer, feared but respected. In military and spy fiction, he is an early master of espionage and governance. In alternative fiction, his influence lingers but is often overshadowed by Henry VIII or Anne Boleyn.

This variation shows how adaptable Cromwell’s legacy is—he can be a visionary statesman, a ruthless enforcer, or a dangerous manipulator, depending on the narrative.

Fictionalized Politicians

Many real-world politicians have been fictionalized in literature, film, and television, often with varying degrees of accuracy. Like Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall, these figures have been reinterpreted based on the storyteller’s perspective, the historical context, and the genre. Here are some notable examples across different time periods and genres:

Niccolò Machiavelli (Fictionalized as a schemer, strategist, or reluctant idealist): Fiction: The Agony and the Ecstasy (Irving Stone, 1961) – Machiavelli appears as an astute political observer. TV/Film: The Prince of the Renaissance (1941) – A dramatized biopic focusing on his political theories. Reinterpretation: Often depicted as either a cold manipulator or a pragmatic realist who understands power better than others.

Richard III (From Shakespearean villain to misunderstood ruler): Fiction: The Daughter of Time (Josephine Tey, 1951) – Reimagines Richard III as a victim of Tudor propaganda. Shakespeare’s Richard III – A famously villainous depiction, where he is power-hungry and manipulative. Reinterpretation: Historians now argue he was likely not as evil as Shakespeare made him, but popular fiction still leans into the scheming villain persona.

Power Brokers 

Thomas Cromwell is thus part of a long global tradition of political operators, reformers, and kingmakers—figures who shaped history from behind the throne but often paid the price for their ambition.

Wei Zhongxian (1568–1627) – The Eunuch Powerbroker: Like Cromwell: Rose from an unprivileged background to become the most powerful figure in the court of the Tianqi Emperor. Impact: Controlled the imperial court through an extensive spy network and political maneuvering. Downfall: After the emperor’s death, he was declared a traitor and committed suicide.

Chanakya (c. 350–275 BCE) – The Mastermind Behind the Maurya Empire: Like Cromwell: A brilliant strategist who helped Chandragupta Maurya overthrow the Nanda dynasty and establish an empire. Impact: Wrote Arthashastra, a manual on statecraft, espionage, and realpolitik. Differences: Unlike Cromwell, he was not executed but voluntarily retired.

Malik Ambar (1548–1626) – The Ethiopian Strategist in India: Like Cromwell: A former slave who became the de facto ruler of the Deccan Sultanate through military and political genius. Impact: Led guerilla campaigns against the Mughal Empire, resisting their expansion. Differences: Unlike Cromwell, he was a warrior as well as an administrator and never fell from power.

Nizam al-Mulk (1018–1092) – The Seljuk Vizier: Like Cromwell: An administrative genius who ran the Seljuk Empire with efficiency and reforms. Impact: Created a centralized bureaucracy and established educational institutions (madrasas). Downfall: Assassinated by the Hashshashin (Assassins), possibly due to political rivalries.

Shajar al-Durr (d. 1257) – The Slave-Queen of Egypt: Like Cromwell: Rose from obscurity to become the de facto ruler of Egypt after the death of her husband, the Ayyubid Sultan. Impact: Managed Egypt during the Seventh Crusade, preventing its collapse. Downfall: Overthrown and assassinated when political factions turned against her.

Cromwell-type Characters in Fiction

Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell is a complex, pragmatic, and self-made figure—a man of sharp intellect, deep resilience, and moral ambiguity, navigating the treacherous world of politics with a mix of ruthlessness and compassion. Fictional characters with similar qualities appear across literature, often as advisors, survivors, or powerbrokers. Here are some comparisons from different genres:

Tyrion Lannister (A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin): Like Cromwell: A politically astute outsider who survives through intellect and adaptability. Similar Traits: Pragmatic, strategic, and often underestimated due to his background. Differences: Tyrion is more openly witty and indulgent, whereas Cromwell is more measured and calculating.

Iago (Othello by William Shakespeare): Like Cromwell: A keen manipulator who understands power and human psychology. Similar Traits: Skilled in deception, influencing others from behind the scenes. Differences: Iago lacks Cromwell’s vision for governance and is purely destructive rather than strategic.

The Mule (Foundation by Isaac Asimov): Like Cromwell: A disruptive force in an established system, able to outthink his rivals. Similar Traits: A self-made ruler who bends institutions to his will through strategy and force of personality. Differences: The Mule’s power is partially psychic, whereas Cromwell’s comes from intelligence and maneuvering.

Mantel’s Cromwell is a unique blend of survivor, strategist, and administrator—someone who lives in the shadows of kings but shapes the fate of a nation. His closest fictional counterparts are those who rise from obscurity, outmaneuver the elite, and balance morality with pragmatism. Whether in fantasy, historical fiction, or political thrillers, characters like Tyrion Lannister & Francis Urquhart reflect different shades of Cromwell’s genius and moral complexity.