The Wolf Hall Trilogy by Hilary Mantel stands as one of the greatest achievements in contemporary historical fiction. This meticulously researched, brilliantly written series brings Tudor England to vivid life through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell, one of history’s most controversial figures.
The trilogy, published between 2009 and 2020, chronicles Cromwell’s extraordinary rise from blacksmith’s son to become the most powerful man in Henry VIII’s court. With two Booker Prizes, bestseller status worldwide, and acclaimed adaptations for both stage and screen, the Wolf Hall Trilogy has captivated millions of readers and redefined what historical fiction can achieve.
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| Author | Hilary Mantel |
| Number of Books | 3 books (complete) |
| First Book | Wolf Hall (2009) |
| Latest Book | The Mirror and the Light (2020) |
| Setting | Tudor England, 1500-1540 |
| Genre | Literary Historical Fiction |
Wolf Hall Trilogy Books in Publication Order
Publication order is the only way to read the Wolf Hall Trilogy. These books form a continuous narrative that must be read sequentially. Each novel picks up exactly where the previous one ended, following Thomas Cromwell’s life chronologically from the 1520s through his execution in 1540.
1. Wolf Hall (2009)
Setting: England, 1500-1535
Summary: The trilogy opens with a brutal scene from Cromwell’s childhood in Putney, establishing the violence he escaped and the ruthlessness that will serve him well at court. The narrative then jumps to the 1520s, where Cromwell serves as Cardinal Wolsey’s secretary, the king’s chief minister. When Wolsey falls from power after failing to secure Henry VIII’s divorce from Katherine of Aragon, Cromwell must navigate the dangerous waters of court politics alone.
This first book chronicles Cromwell’s rise as he becomes indispensable to the king, helping engineer Henry’s break with Rome and his marriage to Anne Boleyn. Mantel portrays Cromwell not as the villain of traditional histories but as a brilliant, pragmatic man trying to survive and modernize England while serving an increasingly unstable monarch. The novel ends with the death of Thomas More and Cromwell’s ascendancy to the position of Master Secretary.
Winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize
2. Bring Up the Bodies (2012)
Setting: England, 1535-1536
Summary: This shorter, more focused novel covers just eighteen months but contains some of the trilogy’s most dramatic events. Bring Up the Bodies opens with Cromwell at the height of his power, but Anne Boleyn has failed to produce a male heir, and the king’s eye has turned to Jane Seymour.
The novel chronicles Anne’s spectacular fall from queen to condemned traitor in a matter of weeks. Mantel shows Cromwell orchestrating the evidence and testimonies that will bring down not just Anne but also five men accused of adultery with her, including her own brother. The title refers to the grim process of bringing prisoners from the Tower to trial. The book concludes with Anne’s execution and Henry’s immediate marriage to Jane Seymour, as Cromwell has eliminated his enemies and secured his position.
Winner of the 2012 Man Booker Prize (making Mantel the first woman to win twice and the first British author to win consecutive Bookers for a sequel)
3. The Mirror and the Light (2020)
Setting: England, 1536-1540
Summary: The final and longest book in the trilogy covers the last four years of Cromwell’s life. Opening on the morning of Anne Boleyn’s execution, the novel follows Cromwell as he consolidates his power, manages the dissolution of the monasteries, and tries to secure England’s future through alliances and reform.
But Cromwell’s enemies are gathering. The king’s marriage to Jane Seymour brings hope of an heir, but Jane dies after childbirth. Cromwell’s disastrous arrangement of Henry’s marriage to Anne of Cleves, combined with his reformist religious policies and the resentment of the old nobility, ultimately led to his downfall. The novel concludes with Cromwell’s arrest, imprisonment, and execution in July 1540, providing readers with the complete arc of this remarkable life.
Longlisted for the 2020 Man Booker Prize
About the Wolf Hall Trilogy
Series Overview
What makes the Wolf Hall Trilogy extraordinary is Hilary Mantel’s innovative narrative approach. She tells the story in the present tense and uses “he” to refer to Cromwell, creating an unusual immediacy that puts readers directly inside his perspective. This technique makes 16th-century political intrigue feel as urgent and relevant as contemporary events.
Mantel spent decades researching Tudor England, creating a card catalog system to track the whereabouts of every historical figure on every relevant date. This meticulous research enables her to seamlessly weave together historical facts with imagined dialogue and internal thoughts in a way that never contradicts the historical record. The result is fiction that feels more real than many history books, bringing to life not just events but the texture of daily life in Tudor England.
The trilogy’s central achievement is its rehabilitation of Thomas Cromwell’s reputation. For centuries, Cromwell was remembered primarily as a brutal enforcer who destroyed England’s monasteries and sent innocents like Thomas More to their deaths. Mantel presents a more nuanced Cromwell: a man of genuine ability who rose through intelligence rather than birth, who believed in reform and efficiency, and who sought to serve his king while protecting the vulnerable wherever possible.
What Makes the Wolf Hall Trilogy Special
Literary Excellence: Both Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies won the Booker Prize, an unprecedented achievement. Mantel’s prose is both lyrical and precise, capable of conveying complex political maneuvering while also capturing the smell of herbs in a Tudor kitchen or the quality of light through leaded glass.
Historical Accuracy: Although the dialogue and Cromwell’s thoughts are fictional, Mantel never contradicts established historical facts. She conducted extraordinary research, reading primary sources in multiple languages and visiting historical sites. Every detail, from what people ate to how they traveled, is grounded in historical reality.
Complex Characterization: Mantel’s characters feel fully human. Even figures like Henry VIII, who could easily be caricatures, are portrayed as complex individuals shaped by their circumstances. Anne Boleyn, Thomas More, Cardinal Wolsey, and dozens of others come to life as individuals rather than historical chessmen.
Political Relevance: Though set 500 years ago, the trilogy’s exploration of power, loyalty, propaganda, and survival feels urgently contemporary. Readers have found parallels to modern politics in Cromwell’s navigation of an authoritarian regime.
Immersive World-Building: From the stink of the Thames to the machinations of the Privy Council, Mantel creates a fully realized world. Her Tudor England is vivid, visceral, and utterly convincing.
Where to Start with the Wolf Hall Trilogy
New to the Series?
Start here: Wolf Hall
There is no alternative starting point. The trilogy must be read in order, beginning with Wolf Hall. This is a continuous narrative where each book builds on events and character development from the previous volumes. Starting anywhere else would be like watching the final season of a television series without seeing what came before.
Reading Commitment
Be prepared for a substantial investment in reading. The three books total approximately 2,000 pages:
- Wolf Hall: 650 pages
- Bring Up the Bodies: 432 pages
- The Mirror and the Light: 912 pages
However, Mantel’s prose is so engaging that most readers find the pages fly by. The present-tense narration and Cromwell’s dry wit keep the momentum even through detailed scenes of political negotiation.
Reading Tips
Don’t skip the cast of characters: Each book includes lists of historical figures. These are invaluable for keeping track of the large cast, especially in Wolf Hall, where readers are still learning to identify everyone.
Pay attention to Mantel’s use of “he”: When Mantel writes “he,” she almost always means Cromwell, even when other men are present in the scene. This takes some getting used to but creates a powerful sense of being inside Cromwell’s consciousness.
Take your time: These are not books to rush through. Mantel rewards careful reading, with subtle character moments and historical references that deepen on reflection.
About the Author: Hilary Mantel
Hilary Mantel (1952-2022) was one of the most acclaimed British writers of her generation. The Wolf Hall Trilogy represents the culmination of her career, although she published many other outstanding novels, including A Place of Greater Safety (a novel about the French Revolution) and Beyond Black (a dark contemporary novel about mediums).
Mantel came to the Tudor period through long fascination. She studied law at the London School of Economics and later lived in Botswana and Saudi Arabia with her geologist husband. These experiences abroad gave her a unique perspective on power structures and historical change, enriching her Tudor novels.
She spent five years researching and writing Wolf Hall, creating her famous card catalog system to track historical figures. The book’s success was both critical and commercial, but Mantel continued working at the same meticulous pace. Bring Up the Bodies took three years, while The Mirror and the Light required eight years of writing and research.
Mantel was the first woman to win the Booker Prize twice and the first British author to win consecutive Bookers. She received numerous other honors, including being made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Sadly, she died in September 2022, shortly after completing the trilogy, but while still actively writing and speaking about her work.
More by Hilary Mantel:
- A Place of Greater Safety (French Revolution)
- Beyond Black (Contemporary Gothic)
- Giving Up the Ghost (Memoir)
- Complete Hilary Mantel Bibliography
Historical Context: Tudor England
The Wolf Hall Trilogy covers one of the most turbulent periods in English history. When the series begins in the 1520s, England is a Catholic country under papal authority. By Cromwell’s death in 1540, Henry VIII had broken with Rome, declared himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England, dissolved the monasteries, and executed two of his wives, along with many former allies.
This period saw England transform from a medieval kingdom into an early modern state. Cromwell himself was a key architect of these changes, helping establish new administrative structures and the principle of royal supremacy. The dissolution of the monasteries redistributed vast wealth and land, changing England’s social structure forever.
The “King’s Great Matter,” Henry’s determination to divorce Katherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn, triggered these sweeping changes. When the Pope refused to annul Henry’s marriage, Cromwell and others engineered the break with Rome that would reshape English religion and politics for centuries.
Mantel shows how personal ambitions, religious convictions, political calculations, and simple survival instincts all intertwined during this period. Her portrayal of the Reformation as both idealistic and cynical, both necessary and tragic, captures the complexity of historical change.
Learn more: Best Tudor Historical Fiction
Adaptations
Television
Wolf Hall (2015)
The BBC and PBS produced a six-part television adaptation of the first two novels, simply titled Wolf Hall. This critically acclaimed series starred:
- Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell
- Damian Lewis as Henry VIII
- Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn
- Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Wolsey
Directed by Peter Kosminsky and adapted by Peter Straughan, the series was notable for its candlelit filming, which gave it an unusually dark, atmospheric look that divided viewers. Many scenes were genuinely filmed by candlelight, rather than using electric lighting designed to mimic candlelight.
The series won a Golden Globe for Best Miniseries and received eight Emmy nominations. Mark Rylance’s understated performance as Cromwell was widely praised, as was the production’s attention to historical detail.
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light (2024)
A second television series, adapting the final novel, premiered in November 2024, with Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, and many of the original cast members returning. Peter Kosminsky again directed, with Peter Straughan adapting the screenplay. This six-part series completed the television adaptation of the trilogy.
Stage
The Royal Shakespeare Company produced stage adaptations of the first two novels, adapted by Mike Poulton as Wolf Hall Parts One & Two. The production premiered at Stratford-upon-Avon in December 2013 before transferring to London’s West End in 2014 and Broadway in 2015.
Ben Miles starred as Thomas Cromwell, earning a Tony nomination for Best Actor. Nathaniel Parker played Henry VIII, winning the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor. The production was acclaimed for its intelligent adaptation of Mantel’s complex narrative and won multiple awards, including one for Christopher Oram’s costume design.
In 2021, a third play, The Mirror and the Light, premiered in the West End with Ben Miles and Nathaniel Parker reprising their roles. Mantel herself collaborated on this adaptation with Miles, making it her only direct adaptation of her novels for another medium.
Audiobooks
Ben Miles, who played Cromwell on stage, also narrated the unabridged audiobook of The Mirror and the Light, chosen personally by Mantel. His performance was particularly praised for bringing Cromwell’s dry wit and political cunning to life. Earlier audiobooks of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies featured different narrators, but newer editions use Miles for consistency.
Similar Series You’ll Love
If you’re enjoying the Wolf Hall Trilogy, these series offer similar appeal:
1. The Last Kingdom Series by Bernard Cornwell
While set in the Dark Ages rather than Tudor times, Cornwell’s Saxon Stories share the Wolf Hall Trilogy’s focus on a brilliant protagonist navigating a violent political landscape. Cornwell’s prose is more action-focused than Mantel’s, but both authors excel at making historical politics gripping and immediate.
2. The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett
Set in 16th-century Europe during roughly the same period as Wolf Hall, Dunnett’s six-novel series follows Francis Crawford of Lymond through the courts and battlefields of Renaissance Europe. Like Mantel, Dunnett combines meticulous historical research with complex characterization and brilliant prose.
3. Cicero Trilogy by Robert Harris
For readers who loved the political intrigue in Wolf Hall, Harris’s trilogy about the Roman statesman and orator Cicero offers similar pleasures. Told through the eyes of Cicero’s slave and secretary, these novels reveal how democracy in ancient Rome collapsed into dictatorship, with disturbing modern parallels.
4. A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel
Mantel’s earlier novel about the French Revolution shares many strengths with the Wolf Hall Trilogy: exhaustive research, complex characterization, and political insight. Following Danton, Robespierre, and Desmoulins through the Revolution’s early years, it shows Mantel’s ability to bring any historical period to vivid life.
More recommendations: Best Historical Fiction Series of All Time
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books are in the Wolf Hall Trilogy?
There are 3 books in the Wolf Hall Trilogy: Wolf Hall (2009), Bring Up the Bodies (2012), and The Mirror and the Light (2020). The series is now complete following Hilary Mantel’s death in 2022.
Do I need to read the Wolf Hall Trilogy in order?
Yes, absolutely. The trilogy tells a continuous story that must be read in the order of publication. Each book begins exactly where the previous one ended, and character relationships and political situations develop across all three volumes. You cannot understand Bring Up the Bodies without reading Wolf Hall first, and The Mirror and the Light requires knowledge of both earlier books.
What is the Wolf Hall Trilogy about?
The trilogy follows Thomas Cromwell, the son of a blacksmith, who rises to become the most powerful man in Henry VIII’s court. The books cover the period from the 1520s to Cromwell’s execution in 1540, including Henry’s break with the Roman Catholic Church, his marriages to Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour, the dissolution of the monasteries, and the political and religious upheaval of the English Reformation.
Is the Wolf Hall Trilogy historically accurate?
Yes, remarkably so. Hilary Mantel never contradicts known historical facts. While Cromwell’s thoughts and private conversations are imagined, every event that can be verified against the historical record is accurate. Mantel spent years researching primary sources and created a detailed card catalog system to ensure she never placed historical figures where they couldn’t have been.
How long does it take to read the Wolf Hall Trilogy?
The trilogy spans approximately 2,000 pages, so reading time varies depending on individual pace. Most readers report taking 2-3 months to read all three books at a comfortable pace, though some read faster. The Mirror and the Light alone is 912 pages and can take several weeks to read. The books reward slow, careful reading rather than rushing.
Is the Wolf Hall Trilogy appropriate for young adults?
The trilogy is best suited for mature readers. While there is no graphic sexual content, the books deal with adult themes, including execution, political manipulation, and religious persecution. The sophisticated prose style and complex political intrigue make them challenging for younger readers. The books are generally recommended for readers aged 16 and up, although many adult readers find them challenging.
Did Hilary Mantel finish the Wolf Hall Trilogy?
Yes. Mantel completed The Mirror and the Light in 2020, finishing the trilogy as planned. She died in September 2022, but the trilogy was complete at the time of her death.
Are the Wolf Hall books available on Kindle and audiobook?
Yes, all three books are available in print, ebook (Kindle), and audiobook formats. The audiobooks are particularly recommended, with Ben Miles (who played Cromwell on stage) narrating The Mirror and the Light at Mantel’s request. His performance captures Cromwell’s character beautifully.
Why is the first book called Wolf Hall?
Wolf Hall is the name of the Seymour family estate in Wiltshire. In the novel, it represents the place where Henry VIII first becomes seriously interested in Jane Seymour, setting in motion events that will lead to Anne Boleyn’s downfall. The title also evokes a sense of danger and predation, fitting for the Tudor court.
How does the Wolf Hall Trilogy end?
The trilogy ends with Thomas Cromwell’s execution in July 1540. Mantel takes readers through his final days, imprisonment, and death, completing the arc from his brutal childhood through his extraordinary rise and ultimate fall. While the ending is historically inevitable, Mantel makes it deeply moving.
Which book in the trilogy is best?
This is subjective, but many readers consider Wolf Hall the strongest for its scope and character introduction, while Bring Up the Bodies is praised for its tighter focus and mounting tension. The Mirror and the Light, though the longest, provides essential closure. Most fans recommend reading all three rather than picking one.
Is the BBC series as good as the books?
The BBC television adaptation is excellent and widely acclaimed, but it cannot capture all the nuance and internal thought that make Mantel’s prose so remarkable. The series works best as a companion to the books rather than a replacement. Mark Rylance’s performance as Cromwell is outstanding.
Do I need to know Tudor history before reading?
No. Mantel provides sufficient context for readers unfamiliar with the period, although some knowledge of Henry VIII’s six wives and the English Reformation is helpful. The books include lists of historical figures that are very helpful for keeping track of characters. Many readers report that the trilogy inspired them to learn more about Tudor history.
Conclusion: Your Wolf Hall Trilogy Reading Journey
The Wolf Hall Trilogy represents a pinnacle of contemporary historical fiction. Hilary Mantel’s achievement in these books goes beyond excellent storytelling to something rarer: she makes us see a familiar period of history in a completely fresh light. Her portrayal of Thomas Cromwell is one of the great characters in modern literature, a brilliant yet damaged man navigating impossible circumstances with intelligence, pragmatism, and surprising compassion.
Reading these three novels is a substantial commitment of time and attention. They are long, complex, and intellectually demanding. But they are also thrilling, moving, and often darkly funny. Mantel’s prose carries you along even through detailed political maneuvering, and her characters stay with you long after you finish reading.
The trilogy offers insights into power, loyalty, survival, and how ordinary people navigate extraordinary times. Though set 500 years ago, it feels urgently relevant to our own moment. In showing how religious and political upheaval reshaped England, Mantel illuminates timeless questions about authority, reform, and the cost of holding one’s convictions.
Ready to begin? Start with Wolf Hall and experience one of the great achievements in historical fiction. With approximately 2,000 pages of brilliant writing ahead, you’ll spend months in Tudor England seeing history through the eyes of its most fascinating figure.