Mystery novel series by C. J. Sansom
The Shardlake series is a series of historical mystery novels by C. J. Sansom, set in 16th century Tudor England. The series features barrister Matthew Shardlake, who, while navigating the religious reforms of Henry VIII, solves crime and tries to avoid getting caught up in political intrigue.
The first six books are set during the reign of Henry VIII, while the seventh, Tombland, takes place two years after the king's demise. Sansom said before his death that he planned to write further Shardlake novels taking the lawyer into the reign of Elizabeth I.
Description.
The series' protagonist is the hunchbacked lawyer Matthew Shardlake, who is assisted in his adventures by Mark Poer and then Jack Barak.
Shardlake works on commission, initially from Thomas Cromwell in "Dissolution" and "Dark Fire", then archbishop Thomas Cranmer in "Sovereign" and "Revelation", queen Catherine Parr in "Heartstone" and "Lamentation", and lately princess Elizabeth in "Tombland". The seventh book, "Tombland", was published in October 2018.
The books cover several historical events, such as the Dissolution of the monasteries (1536–1541), the Royal Progress to York (1541), the Battle of the Solent and the sinking of the Mary Rose (1545), the burning at the stake of Anne Askew (1546), the publication of "The Lamentation of a Sinner" (1547)"," Kett's Rebellion (1549), and the several marriages of king Henry VIII. 
Adaptations.
Radio.
BBC Radio 4 has adapted novels in the Shardlake series as part of its "15-Minute Drama" series. In 2012, "Dissolution" was adapted into a 10-part radio serial by Colin MacDonald, starring Jason Watkins as Shardlake and Mark Bonnar as Cromwell. BBC Radio 4 later broadcast "Dark Fire" in 2014, with Justin Salinger taking over the role of Shardlake and Bryan Dick playing Barak, "Sovereign" in 2015, "Revelation" in 2017, "Heartstone" in 2018, and "Lamentation" in 2021, all adapted by Colin MacDonald as 10-part serials.
Television.
In 2007, the BBC commissioned an adaptation of "Dissolution", with Kenneth Branagh set to star as Shardlake. Branagh chose instead to star as the eponymous protagonist in the BBC series "Wallander".
In 2023, Disney+ greenlit an adaptation of the Shardlake novels. Released in 2024, the series consists of four episodes, and is directed by Justin Chadwick. Arthur Hughes plays Shardlake.
Stage.
In 2023, Mike Kenny adapted "Sovereign" as a community theatre production for the York Theatre Royal. Fergus Rattigan played Shardlake.
References.
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