Super Short Summary

Wolf Hall, the first in Hilary Mantel’s historical trilogy, follows Thomas Cromwell's rise in King Henry VIII’s court during the 1520s, starting from his escape from an abusive father to becoming a key advisor to the king. The plot centers on Cromwell’s efforts to secure the king’s desired annulment from Katherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn, navigating complex political and religious landscapes, all while managing his personal losses and conflicts with significant figures like Thomas More and the Duke of Norfolk. Descriptions of domestic violence and the execution of individuals deemed traitors are present in the book.