Derek Wilson

A multi-faceted story of heroes and villains, mystics and sceptics, earnest seekers of truth and charlatans, a narrative that bristles with the names of remarkable scholars, many famous, some now obscure.

Derek Wilson looks at some of the key areas of women's involvement in the Reformation, considering their family roles, the influence of women who held power, and those who were able study in more depth; and the roles of women who were prophets, mystics, polemicists, philanthropists and martyrs.

Derek Wilson skilfully interweaves the personal histories of twenty or so figures - including Nicholas Bacon, the Statesman; Bess of Hardwick, the Landowner; Thomas Gresham, 'the Financier'; John Caius, 'the Doctor'; John Norreys, 'the Soldier'; and Nicholas Jennings, 'the Professional Criminal' - with the major themes of the period to create a vivid and compelling account of life in England in the late sixteenth century.

In ten lucid and entertaining chapters, Wilson identifies the very worst years of human history, from the destruction of the Roman Empire in 541 through the march on Leningrad in 1942 to the Vietnam War of 1968. Condensing two thousand years of war, plague, misrule and political villainy, he identifies the traitors, scumbags and villains, whose lust for power and sometimes, sheer incompetence brought such terror to their times. He delves into the natural forces beyond human control that have wiped out whole peoples. And, most of all, he shows how history has a horrible habit of repeating itself.

The Plantagenets: The Kings That Made Britain is a compelling, year-by-year chronology of a tumultuous and critical period in the development of the English nation. Each year is covered by a concise, informative and accessible narrative, amplified by extensive quotation from contemporary sources and accompanied by generously captioned and stunning images of the period - including illuminations, portraits, maps, royal seals, tapestries and other artefacts.

The finest scholars in England laboured for seven years to produce what we know as the King James or Authorised Version of the Bible. Yet its launch could scarcely have been less propitious. Despite its titles, the king did nothing to promote it and he certainly did not ‘authorise’ it. Its publisher went bankrupt and it was half a century before this Bible won the affection of the British people. So, how come this book became the biggest best-seller of all time and a vehicle of British culture right round the world?

This book offers insights into the world of Tudor England – revealing what it was really like to live in a period of great growth, and the difference between living in the city and the country.

Try 1349 (the black death), or 1536 (the year the king went mad...), or 1720 (when a biblical fog descended on England for months and literally laid waste to the nation). The fact is that rat for rat, recession for recession, gory death for gory death, the ten really rotten years featured in this book beat our current travails hands down.

(Co-author with Felipe Fernadez-Armesto)
This work presents an account of 500 years of controversy within the Christian Church.

The first biography of Holbein in 50 years, revealing his involvement with the great religious and political movements of the day.

A brilliant new history of the life of Henry VIII to celebrate the 500th anniversary of his accession

A study in three parts: Russian leaders in the 17th century, an air of greatness (the young tsar), and father of his country (Peter in his maturity)

In "Out of the Storm", Derek Wilson offers a fresh assessment of Luther and his place in history. In doing so he also reveals the man: ebulliant, depressive, good humoured, vituperative, stubborn and vulgar, a staunch friend, an implacable enemy.

A study of the Dudley family at the centre of court and council in the political ferment of the Tudor century.

This work examines a set of relationships that illustrate just how dangerous life was at the court of Henry VIII

The first half of the 17th century basically constituted the conflict between Charles Stuart and Oliver Cromwell. This is a study of the era and issues.

Through three main narrative threads, concentrating on the family’s brewing, banking and missionary interests, this book traces the history of the rise of the Guinness family.

Third revised edition of Wilson’s "TOWER: 1078-1978". All the latest information and anecdotes about those who have found themselves residing in the Tower.

A day-by-day account of Drake’s voyage in The Golden Hind.

First published in 1981 by Hamish Hamilton this biography of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester traces his life and achievements.