Notorious

How did a young housemaid manage to catapult herself into the centre of Henry VIII's divorce, going head-to-head with Anne Boleyn? And why was the sordid truth behind her story erased? Historian Hayley Nolan uncovers the secrets of the most astounding tale in Tudor history. She destroyed Anne Boleyn, conned Henry VIII, and changed the course of history forever. Meet the fearless young woman who is the missing piece in one of history's most infamous tales. Elizabeth Barton's remarkable rise from poverty to celebrity stunned the Tudor court. As the most notorious influencer of her day, she was adored by the public and had the most formidable Tudor power players under her spell - until she was silenced. But was the girl a deluded fantasist, a cold-hearted con artist, or was she the victim of her corrupt celebrity managers? Anne Boleyn certainly thought so, which is why she tried to save the girl who had set out to ruin her. Hayley Nolan breathes life into a story that has been relegated to the footnotes of history: the dramatic rise and fall of Elizabeth Barton. Her thrilling story is one of prophecy, fame, manipulation and deceit – and shows what's at stake when everything comes crashing down within the confines of the ruthless court of Henry VIII.