"For the first time, Professor Eamon Duffy publishes a book on the broad sweep of the English Reformation. Once again he emphasises the importance of a study of Late Medieval religion and society for an understanding of the Reformation, he rescues Mary Tudor and Cardinal Pole from their detractors but shows once again his brilliance at understanding the effect of the Reformation on the population at large and the common man. Duffy writes at all times with grace, elegance and wit as he sees through the prejudices and myths of other Reformation scholars and demonstrates that the truth is never pure nor simple. This is revisionist history at its very best." -- Publisher's description.