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Description edit
Exciting and elegantly written, Dissolution is an utterly compelling first novel and a riveting portrayal of Tudor England. The year is 1537, and the country is divided between those faithful to the Catholic Church and those loyal to the king and the newly established Church of... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
Henry VIII has ordered the dissolution of the monasteries and England is full of informers. At the monastery of Scarnsea, events have spiralled out of control with the murder of Commissioner Robin Singleton. Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer, and his assistant are sent to investigate.
Characters edit
- Henry VIII: King of England.
- Thomas Cromwell: King Henry's Secretary, Commissioner General, Vice Regent and Vicar General.
- Robin Singleton: Lord Cromwell's initial commissioner to Scarnsea.
- Matthew Shardlake: A hunchback lawyer who works for Thomas Cromwell, investigating the Monestary .
- Mark Poer: Shardlake's 'side kick.'
- Justice Copynger: A strong reformer; the Justice of the village of Scarnsea.
- Abbot Fabian: Abbot of the monastery, elected for life by the brethren.
- Brother Mortimus: Prior, second in command to Abbot Fabian; responsible for the discipline and welfare of the monks. Also novice master.
- Brother Guy: Infirmarian. Responsible for the monks' health. Licensed to prescribe medicines. A Spanish Moor.
- Alice Fewterer: Lay assistant to Br. Guy, the Infirmarian.
- Brother Jude: Pittancer. Responsible for payment of monastery bills, wages to monks and servants, and distribution of the charitable doles.
- Brother Gabriel: Sacrist and precentor; responsible for the maintenance and decoration of the monastic church, and for its music.
- Brother Edwig: Bursar. Responsible for all aspects of monastery finance.
- Brother Athelstan: Assistant to the Bursar, Br, Edwig.
- Brother Hugh: Chamberlain. Responsible for household matters within the monastery.
- Brother Alexander: Add a description of this character.
- Master Bugge: Gate keeper for Scarnsea Monastery.
- Jerome Wentworth: A Carthusian monk attached to Scarnsea Monastery.
- Simon Whelplay: A Novice.
- Dr Lawrence Goodhaps: A canon lawyer; an old Cambridge reformer.
- Edwin
- Anne Boleyn: Henry VIII's second wife.
- Mark Smeaton: Alleged lover of Anne Boleyn
- Joan Woode: Matthew Shardlake's female assistant in London.
- Ralph
- John Smeaton: Mark Smeaton's father.
- Joseph
- Kate Wyndham
- Elizabeth
- Jane Seymour: Jerome's cousin, and someone who was beheaded.
- Peter
- Edward Wentworth
- Gilbert Copynger
- Brother Luke
- Orphan Stonegarden: A young servant girl who was harrassed by the monks. Apparently stole gold cups and ran away.
- Brother Paul
- Richard Rich
- Brother Francis
- Fletcher
- Brother Septimus
- William Poer: Mark Poer's father
- Brother Andrew
- William Glench
- Prior Mortimus: The Prior of the monk house in Scarnsea. A tough man, but who's heart is occasionally touched by strange things.
- Piers Stackville
- Master Hodges
- Brother Stephen
- Portinari
- Tabitha
- Cardinal Wolsey
- Grey
- Virgin Mary
- David
- Joan Stumpe: The friend of Orphan who loved her a lot, and feels that Orphan did not run away.
- Martin Luther: A big religious person who caused a lot of controversy in that time period.
- Oldknoll
- Blitheman
- C.J. Sansom: The author of the book.
First Sentence edit
I was down in Surrey, on business for Lord Cromwell's office, when the summons came.
Table of Contents edit
Thirty two untitled chapters and an epilogue.
Series & Lists edit
This is book 1 of 5 in Matthew Shardlake Mysteries. (standard series)
Followed by Dark Fire.
This is book 61 of 100 in Top 100 Books That Defined The Noughties (Telegraph). (authoritative list)
This book is in World Book Night Titles 2011. (authoritative list)
This book is in Guardian 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read. (authoritative list)
This is book 5 of 122 in Znanje - Knjiga dostupna svima. (community list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- C. J. Sansom (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Viking
Country: UK
Publication Date: April 2003
ISBN: 978-0670032037
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Viking
Country: UK
Publication Date: April 2003
ISBN: 978-0670032037
Page Count: 400
Awards edit
- Waverton Good Read Award (Finalist, 2003/4, Shortlist)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 823.92
Subjects edit
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