Kings Fool: A Notorious King, His Six
Wives, and the One Man Who Knew
All Their Secrets by Margaret
Campbell Barnes
A+
A Remarkably Intimate Tale of the Intrigue, Ruthlessness, and Majesty of
Henry VIIIs Court
When country lad Will Somers lands himself the plum position of jester to
the mercurial King Henry VIII, he has no idea that hes just been handed a
front-row seat to history.
With a seat near the throne and an ear to the floor, Somers witnesses
firsthand the dizzying power struggles and sly scheming that marked the
reign of the fiery Tudor king. Somers watches the rise and fall of some of
the most enigmatic women in history, including the tragic Katherine of

Aragon, the doomed Anne Boleyn, and Mary Tudor, who confided in the
jester as she made the best of the fragile life of a princess whom everyone
wished was a prince.
Based on the life of the real Will Somers, Kings Fool is infused with
Margaret Campbell Barnes trademark rich detail and historical accuracy.
This intimate peek into the royal chambers gives readers a unique view on
one of the most tumultuous periods in English history.
First published in 1959 by world-renowned historical novelist Margaret
Campbell Barnes, Kings Fool is a remarkable insider tale of the intrigue,
ruthlessness, and majesty of the Tudor court. When country lad Will
Somers lands himself the plum position of jester to the mercurial King
Henry VIII, he has no idea that he;s just been handed a front-row seat to
history.
Includes a bonus reading group guide written by the authors great
granddaughter.
A moving and lifelike portrait... a thoroughly delightful novel.
New York Times
Immensely entertaining and absorbing.
Chicago Tribune
A dramatic story, full of color and good characters, great people made
more human.
Book of the Month Club
Memorable scenes... a real achievement.
Saturday Review All should be warned that, despite the title, they will not
encounter the traditional fool.
Chicago Tribune
Margaret Campbell Barnes has added brilliant hues to a picture which
never lacked in color.
Vancouver (BC) Daily Province
…Watch the kings cruel vanities through the eyes of a friend whose love
and sympathy never waver.
News Chronicle

(20090112)
Personal Review: Kings Fool: A Notorious King, His Six Wives,
and the One Man Who Knew All Their Secrets by Margaret
Campbell Barnes
I've wanted to learn more about Will Somers since reading Philippa
Gregory's books about the women in Henry VIII's life. How interesting it
would have been to be within Henry VIII's inner circle, but not to be
considered a threat by such a powerful man.
Will Somers was in just such a position. Born in Shropshire, England Will
Somers was the only son, only child actually, of a churchman father and a
Welsh mother, she died of the plague when Will was only four. Will had
pretty happy life until his beautiful singing voice broke at 14; his father
taught the choiristers and this seemed to be their big connection. Soon
after, Will moves in with his Uncle Tobias, a farmer. On his uncles farm is
where Will Somers meets Richard Fermor, a wool merchant. Meeting and
becoming part of the household of Master Fermor is only the first of some
very big events in the life of Will Somers.
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