Henry stirs into life. Do I retain you for what is easy? Jesus pity my simplicity, I have promoted you to a place in this kingdom that no one, no one of your breeding has ever held in the whole of the history of this realm.
In "Wolf Hall," the protagonist Henry reflects on his decisions regarding those around him, particularly noting the complexity of his relationships. He has elevated someone of lesser status to a significant position in his court, a choice that highlights both his ambition and the unusual nature of this promotion within the realm's traditional hierarchy. Henry is acutely aware of the rarity of his actions and grapples with the implications of such...