Professor Tracy Borman, the well known historian, broadcaster and writer, has been invited by the Historical Association, Isle of Wight Branch, to give a talk about Thomas Cromwell as you have never seen him before.
Thomas Cromwell’s life has made gripping reading for millions through bestselling novels, theatre and acclaimed television dramas, but who was the real Cromwell?
Leading historian and TV presenter Professor Borman examines his life, loves and the legacy of the butcher’s boy who rose up the ranks of sixteenth century society and changed the shape of England forever.
A best-selling author, historian and broadcaster
Professor Borman has written widely on this tumultuous period of history, with a shelf of books dedicated to the lives of the people who populated the royal courts, both in fiction and non-fiction.
A best-selling author, historian and broadcaster, she studied and taught history at the University of Hull and was awarded a PhD in 1997. She is an Honorary Fellow in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen Mary University of London; an Honorary Professor at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
Charity work
Her day jobs also include Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust, a charity that encourages children to visit and learn from historic properties, and Joint Chief Curator for Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that manages Hampton Court Palace, the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace, Hillsborough Castle and the Banqueting House, Whitehall.
Professor Borman has appeared regularly on television, including presenting The Private Lives of the Monarchs, Channel 5’s Inside the Tower of London, and regularly contributes to a wide range of national newspapers and history magazines.
Highly acclaimed author
Author of a number of highly acclaimed books including the Sunday Times Bestseller Thomas Cromwell: The Untold Story of Henry VIII’s Most Faithful Servant and Henry VIII and The Men Who Made Him, she has also turned her hand to fiction creating the trilogy about her invented heroine Frances Gorges who becomes trapped in a claustrophobic world of intrigue and betrayal in the court of King James of Scotland.
Her most recent title, Crown & Sceptre explores the history and evolution of the monarchy from 1066 to the present day, feeding the renewed interest not just in the modern royals but in the predecessors who helped shape the institution into what it is today.
Book in advance
The Real Wolf Hall, The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell by Historian Dr Tracy Borman takes place at Ryde School on Friday 6th May from 7.30pm.
Adult tickets are priced at £7.50 and free to Isle of Wight students and members of the Historical Association.
Tickets must be bought in advance. Book via the Website or call 01983 884198.
Article edit
12.40pm 4th May 2022 – More detail about TB’s background added
