CFive hundred years ago, at the Tudor court, a look or a smile was enough to be considered a traitor and sentenced to death. Henry VIII has already gotten rid of Catherine of Aragonhis first wife, and to marry Anne Boleyn he decrees the reform of the Church and the schism from Rome. Jane Parker, Lady Rochford, she is George’s wife, brother of Anne Boleyn. She is the queen’s first lady-in-waiting, maneuvering in the shadows and becoming one of the most powerful women in the kingdom. When Anna and George have their heads cut off at the Tower of London, at the behest of an increasingly bloodthirsty king, Jane manages to survive thanks to the protection of Thomas Cromwell, the sovereign’s main advisor.
Was she the one who cheated on her husband and sister-in-law? This is what history has told us so far. But in “The traitor” Philippa GregoryBritish author of historical novels, translated all over the world, portrays a much more complex reality, in which plots and deceptions are necessary to avoid succumbing. And Jane survives five queens, until she allows herself, for a moment, to think about love. A fatal mistake. Between alternative truths, corruption and honored and revered tyrants, the English court of half a millennium ago sadly resembles the world of today.
Betrayal or survival? Philippa Gregory’s version
How important is historical truth to you and how do you mix it with fiction?
«If I talk about a documented historical fact I want to be sure to report it correctly and in the most accurate way possible. But history books don’t tell us many things. Here I intervene, shaping the characters with emotions, thoughts, character.”
In your previous novels you have already talked about Boleyn women. Why did you want to write Jane’s story, Lady Rochford?
«To rehabilitate her. In the past I admit that I was very critical of her because historians painted her as a treacherous, lustful, social climber. But today, with more sources available, we know that she almost certainly did not testify against her husband and Anne Boleyn. She is a very fine strategist.”
Cultural influences: Machiavelli at court
Could he have read Machiavelli?
«I’m almost certain of it. Her father, Lord Morley, translated part of the work of Machiavelli, at that time one of the most read Italian authors, and gave it to Thomas Cromwell, Jane’s protector.”
In an environment where lies and deceit are the norm, can one really be considered a traitor?
«Without revealing too much of the plot, I can say that Jane is only loyal to herself. She is a survivor, she serves five queens and in the end she understands who the real traitor is: King Henry VIII, who with his violent madness betrayed his people. Tyranny is not only political, but also emotional and domestic.”
Philippa Gregory is a British writer, famous for her historical novels. From many of these, the BBC has made highly successful television dramas. Photo: Chris Leah
Loyalty, lies and tyranny
Why are you interested in this topic?
«This is a novel about tyranny. I wanted to highlight that there is always a link between public and private violence. For example, terrorists are almost all known to law enforcement to have previously committed domestic abuse crimes. Every type of violence comes from a lack of conscience and empathy and from an attitude of superiority.”
The link between public and private violence
You talk about intrigues, false truths and cancel cultures, very current issues. Does the history of power always repeat itself?
«The parallel between the politics of five hundred years ago and today is extraordinary, isn’t it? We are accustomed to the idea that a powerful man is often strong but corrupt. Henry VIII was like a pop star at first. An idol. Then he became greedy, evil and vengeful. Sometimes we don’t notice the signs of evil because we are blinded by the glossy facade of the leader.”
Religion and reform: continuity and changes
The story is set during the reform of the Anglican church, promoted by Henry VIII against Pope Clement VII who had not wanted to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. A few weeks ago King Charles III prayed with a Catholic pontiff for the first time. What do you think?
«It was a great step forward in rapprochement, but I wonder why it took five hundred years. Henry VIII himself was buried with a Catholic rite, not a Protestant one, and even before his death he practiced Catholicism. If even he wasn’t convinced of the reform, why did he continue down this path? In the novel she argues that it was often women who promoted laws and changes. Did they have a more prominent role than we think? Certainly, as I tell you in my essay Normal women (Normal women, a great bestseller in the United Kingdom, ed.). Many women also worked on the reform, the religious issue was really important for them. In practical terms, the system could not exclude 50 percent of the population and therefore women had leading roles everywhere, but never honorary or highly visible positions.
In the end, does love matter more than power, as Jane seems to think?
«Maybe yes. After all, all tyrants die alone and without affection. But if you live in a dictatorship it is difficult to believe in love.”
Deborah Ameri © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED