The Mirror And The Light, By Hilary Mantel

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Beheading

20200316

Anton Lesser reads the eagerly-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Today: the beheading of Anne Boleyn raises difficult questions as to who will succeed Henry VIII.

Writer: Hilary Mantel is one of the UK's most distinguished writers. Her two previous Thomas Cromwell novels, Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies, both won the Booker Prize.

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Wedding Night

20200317

Anton Lesser reads the eagerly-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Today: on the day his first wife loses her head, Henry VIII marries his second wife, Jane Seymour. England needs a legitimate heir, so Cromwell is keen to hear how the wedding night went.

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Succession

20200318

Anton Lesser reads the eagerly-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Today: The king has been granted the right to choose his own heir, should Jane fail to give him a child. And Cromwell now wonders if Henry might favour his illegitimate son, Fitzroy, the Duke of Richmond...

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Reconciliation

20200319

Anton Lesser reads the eagerly-awaited final part of Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Today: Fearing that forces in Europe are gathering behind Henry's daughter Mary, Cromwell urges a reconciliation between Henry and his eldest daughter.

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Fighting Fires

20200320

Anton Lesser reads the eagerly-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

It is July 1536. Henry has been reunited with his eldest daughter Mary, and England still hopes for a legitimate heir from Henry's new wife Jane. But in the meantime, Cromwell must now concern himself with demands from Henry's illegitimate son and his Scottish niece, Margaret.

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser reads the finale of Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Rumours

20200323

Anton Lesser reads the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Summer 1536: Cromwell is fighting fires on all fronts - having just seen off the potentially disastrous betrothal of Henry's niece, Margaret Douglas, rumours are now circulating about his intentions towards Mary, the king's eldest daughter..

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Rejection

20200324

Anton Lesser reads the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Autumn 1536: Henry is still mourning the loss of his young son, and his Scottish niece Margaret is now in the Tower. During the summer Cromwell has been busy at work dissolving the smaller religious houses, but now he pays a visit to the convent where Cardinal Wolsey's illegitimate daughter lives.

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Rebellion

20200325

Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

The winter of 1536 has seen violent uprisings in the North with rebel forces protesting against Henry's break with Rome and Cromwell's ruthless dealings with the monasteries. The rebels are finally brought to heal, but at great financial cost to Henry, and to Cromwell's reputation.

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Bloody Chamber

20200326

Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited final book in Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell trilogy.

August 1537: England is still healing from the wounds of the northern rebellions, but the queen's pregnancy has held, so all hope is of an heir...

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Portrait

20200327

Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Autumn 1539. Henry finally has a legitimate heir, but has lost his beloved wife Jane. With England in need of allies, Cromwell's attentions are now turned to Germany to secure an alliance in the shape of a new wife for Henry. Anne of Cleves is a likely candidate.

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser reads the final book of Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Sacrifice

20200330

Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

After Henry's disastrous decision to surprise his new bride, Anne of Cleves, relations are delicate. Henry wants rid of Anne, but Cromwell fears this will mean the end of the alliance with Germany...

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Thomas Cromwell series

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Renaissance

20200331

Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

After Henry's disastrous decision to surprise his new bride, Anne of Cleves, in Kent relations are delicate. Henry wants rid of Anne, but Cromwell fears this will mean the end of the alliance with Germany...

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser continues the finale to Hilary Mantel's acclaimed Thomas Cromwell series.

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Downfall

20200401

Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

June 1540: Cromwell's close relationship with Henry has been under pressure as the king's dissatisfaction with his marriage grows. And still Henry's cousin Reginald Pole is at large in Europe, plotting against the king. Cromwell begins to fear for his future...

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser continues the final part of Hilary Mantel's acclaimed Thomas Cromwell series.

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Betrayal

20200402

Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

June 1540: Cromwell has been arrested and is in the Tower. Betrayed by most of his old colleagues, all he can do now is wait to hear who else has turned against him. Is there a way to regain Henry's favour?

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser continues the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Ghosts

20200403

Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Cromwell waits in the Bell Tower, convinced that there will be no reprieve, and concerned only about the future of his family and household. Sensing that he his end will come soon, he thinks back over his life, and the ghosts of his past

Writer: Hilary Mantel

Reader: Anton Lesser

Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Beheading	20200316	Anton Lesser reads the eagerly-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Today: the beheading of Anne Boleyn raises difficult questions as to who will succeed Henry VIII. Writer: Hilary Mantel is one of the UK's most distinguished writers. Her two previous Thomas Cromwell novels, Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies, both won the Booker Prize. Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
02	Wedding Night	20200317	Anton Lesser reads the eagerly-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Today: on the day his first wife loses her head, Henry VIII marries his second wife, Jane Seymour. England needs a legitimate heir, so Cromwell is keen to hear how the wedding night went. Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
03	Succession	20200318	Anton Lesser reads the eagerly-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Today: The king has been granted the right to choose his own heir, should Jane fail to give him a child. And Cromwell now wonders if Henry might favour his illegitimate son, Fitzroy, the Duke of Richmond... Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
04	Reconciliation	20200319	Anton Lesser reads the eagerly-awaited final part of Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Today: Fearing that forces in Europe are gathering behind Henry's daughter Mary, Cromwell urges a reconciliation between Henry and his eldest daughter. Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
05	Fighting Fires	20200320	Anton Lesser reads the eagerly-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. It is July 1536. Henry has been reunited with his eldest daughter Mary, and England still hopes for a legitimate heir from Henry's new wife Jane. But in the meantime, Cromwell must now concern himself with demands from Henry's illegitimate son and his Scottish niece, Margaret. Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser reads the finale of Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
06	Rumours	20200323	Anton Lesser reads the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Summer 1536: Cromwell is fighting fires on all fronts - having just seen off the potentially disastrous betrothal of Henry's niece, Margaret Douglas, rumours are now circulating about his intentions towards Mary, the king's eldest daughter.. Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
07	Rejection	20200324	Anton Lesser reads the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Autumn 1536: Henry is still mourning the loss of his young son, and his Scottish niece Margaret is now in the Tower. During the summer Cromwell has been busy at work dissolving the smaller religious houses, but now he pays a visit to the convent where Cardinal Wolsey's illegitimate daughter lives. Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
08	Rebellion	20200325	Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. The winter of 1536 has seen violent uprisings in the North with rebel forces protesting against Henry's break with Rome and Cromwell's ruthless dealings with the monasteries. The rebels are finally brought to heal, but at great financial cost to Henry, and to Cromwell's reputation. Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
09	Bloody Chamber	20200326	Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited final book in Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell trilogy. August 1537: England is still healing from the wounds of the northern rebellions, but the queen's pregnancy has held, so all hope is of an heir... Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
10	Portrait	20200327	Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Autumn 1539. Henry finally has a legitimate heir, but has lost his beloved wife Jane. With England in need of allies, Cromwell's attentions are now turned to Germany to secure an alliance in the shape of a new wife for Henry. Anne of Cleves is a likely candidate. Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser reads the final book of Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
11	Sacrifice	20200330	Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. After Henry's disastrous decision to surprise his new bride, Anne of Cleves, relations are delicate. Henry wants rid of Anne, but Cromwell fears this will mean the end of the alliance with Germany... Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Thomas Cromwell series Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
12	Renaissance	20200331	Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. After Henry's disastrous decision to surprise his new bride, Anne of Cleves, in Kent relations are delicate. Henry wants rid of Anne, but Cromwell fears this will mean the end of the alliance with Germany... Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser continues the finale to Hilary Mantel's acclaimed Thomas Cromwell series. Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
13	Downfall	20200401	Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. June 1540: Cromwell's close relationship with Henry has been under pressure as the king's dissatisfaction with his marriage grows. And still Henry's cousin Reginald Pole is at large in Europe, plotting against the king. Cromwell begins to fear for his future... Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser continues the final part of Hilary Mantel's acclaimed Thomas Cromwell series. Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
14	Betrayal	20200402	Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. June 1540: Cromwell has been arrested and is in the Tower. Betrayed by most of his old colleagues, all he can do now is wait to hear who else has turned against him. Is there a way to regain Henry's favour? Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser continues the finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.
15	Ghosts	20200403	Anton Lesser continues the long-awaited finale to Hilary Mantel's Booker-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Cromwell waits in the Bell Tower, convinced that there will be no reprieve, and concerned only about the future of his family and household. Sensing that he his end will come soon, he thinks back over his life, and the ghosts of his past Writer: Hilary Mantel Reader: Anton Lesser Anton Lesser reads the finale to Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series. Anton Lesser reads the final part of Hilary Mantel's award-winning Thomas Cromwell series.