Brilliant historical story telling from Hilary Mantel as she completes her Thomas Cromwell trilogy with the Mirror and the Light

The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel

Published by Fourth Estate  Price - £25

Hilary Mantel has produced a brilliant book to complete her trilogy of works looking at the life of Thomas Cromwell and Tudor politics.

This book takes Cromwell from the height of his powers in 1536, being awarded the order of the garter by Henry VIII and extensive lands across the country, to the executioners block in the summer of 1540.

Mantel takes the reader through all the different twists and turns of being a major political manipulator at the heart of Tudor politics. Cromwell’s constant battle against the old order, the noble class, who view him as of low birth and never really one of them.

The belief amongst the likes of the Duke of Norfolk Thomas Howard, Bishop of Winchester Stephen Gardiner and others from the old Catholic families that Cromwell is working his way through them, seeking to replace the old order, with others from lower classes. It seems pretty likely that this was exactly what he was doing, though, whether the ermine clad minister was quite the rebel spirit that Mantel portrays is a matter for historical debate.

Whilst the intrigues unvail, at the centre of the action the whole time is the volatile nature of Henry. Everything in the end is reliant on keeping the King happy. Once the wind changes, death seems to beckon.

It is fascinating to get such a deep insight into what made the politics of the time tick, with a sometimes surprising class dimension.

The importance that the King produced an heir, then the clamour for a spare. The marriages made amongst royalty across Europe, predominantly for diplomatic reasons. Though, when the King does not like the match that can be curtains for the chief advisor, as Cromwell found.

Mantel is clearly a Cromwell fan, yet she does also reveal him as a not particularly likeable human being in many ways. He is a product of his life’s journey, which she regularly tells, with a series of flashbacks to his early years in Putney. The brutality of his father, Walter, who whilst despised by Cromwell has clearly bequeathed a strong genealogical inheritance. Walter features much in the tale as execution beckons.

Mantel goes into great detail in the book, some might say too much in places, as she painstakingly describes a piece of clothing, a plate or meal that is about to be consumed. But the book is a masterclass in historical story telling. It lays out the scene, blood and guts as well as the splendour of court life.

No doubt the work will transfer to stage and screen in a similarly successful way to the earlier novels Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies. There is certainly plenty of scope to draw out excellent screen and stage plays from the rich contents of this book. It is a book that draws the reader in to such a degree that there is real disappointment that it is over come the end. 

If the author is looking for a new project, then she could do worse that jump forward 100 years, when the King's power is finally stripped, with Charles I going to the block. The Mirror and the Light shows some of the fundamentals being put in place that did eventually lead to the later civil war and English Revolution.

Coming together

Good to hear the Queen hitting a consensual note in her broadcast last night. We need more of this approach, less frightening and threatening of the people.

The government needs to start fulfilling its part of the bargain, which is providing the protective equipment needed by the NHS and care workers and upping testing to German levels - it has singularly failed to deliver on these elements to date.

published - Independent - 6/4/2020

Response to Corona virus marks the first time people have been put ahead of profit

The outbreak of the Corona virus has and will raise fundamental questions over the way society is run and what really matters.

The disproportionate number of the elderly and vulnerable who have become the victims says something.

This group will always be the most vulnerable to illness and need most care but are they really valued? It is interesting that in Germany this group has not been so severely hit, so does that mean Germany values older and vulnerable people more? Does Germany just care more about people than profits?

For a long time in this country, there seems to have been a devaluation in the concept of the sanctity of life. Life has been increasingly evaluated according to how useful an individual is to the economic system. The less valuable elements of society in terms of their use to the economic wheel have been increasingly regarded as second-class citizens.

So the elderly have been penalised, with reduced pensions, the extension of retirement age and though not acknowledged officially, in some instances, second class health care.

This attitude has been fuelled over recent years with a narrative in the media that because the older generation have it all, younger generations are missing out. The construct is wholly untrue, as poverty knows no age boundaries.

What has been needed is intergenerational solidarity, the cuts imposed due to austerity have hit young and old alike. The two groups are reliant on each other. The elderly do a huge amount of unpaid childcare for their grandchildren. This service has been exposed during the Corona virus, with the two generations having to be kept apart.

The Corona virus has brought a real wake up call. Initially, it appeared some sort of weird eugenic inspired thinking was going on, that said let the virus run, with the weak and vulnerable going to the wall.

Fortunately, this was quickly rejected, with health and well-being given priority over all else. For the first time since the Second World War, the health and welfare of all people has been put ahead of economic consideration.

The massive response from the public coming out selflessly to support neighbours in this crisis has been something to behold. It has marked the triumph of community over individualism. This huge outpouring has helped push the humanitarian over economic based response.

When the crisis is over, we must not forget exactly what was done to confront it. The reconnection of community must not be lost. There will be a whole new canvass for dealing with other problems such as climate change, world poverty and inequality. There must be no return to the austerity based policies that reduced the resource of our public services at a critical time. The mobilisation for the Corona virus proves what can be done to deal with life threatening problems if the political will is there.

Corona virus outbreak bringing out the best and worst in people

The Corona virus has hit everyone’s lives over recent weeks, bringing a whole new reality for many of us.

It has brought out the best aspects of human nature and some of the worst.

On the plus side has been the fantastic way that people have come together in the community to support each other.

The setting up of Whatsapp groups, leaflet drops across the area so that everyone can remain connected. If one person gets in trouble the help is there from others in the community. The networks will prove invaluable as the pressures grow - connectivity is vital.

The heroic efforts of NHS staff, shop workers and people in the public services generally to rise to the challenge that this epidemic represents, deserve special mention. They are all going way beyond what can be reasonably expected and we all owe them a huge debt.

On the minus side has been the panic buying in the shops. People have been reassured that if we all stay calm, then the supermarkets will keep the supplies coming. But this does not seem to register with some people, who take a first come, first grab everything in sight approach. This is the exact opposite sentiment to those coming together in community to combat the Corona crisis.

Ilford North Labour MP Wes Streeting rightly called out some local shops who were reportedly buying up goods from the supermarkets, then putting them on sale in their own premises at double the price. He has rightly said he will name and shame such individuals if the practice continues. These practices can also be reported to the Competition and Markets Authority.

Redbridge Council has also instructed enforcement officers to look into these practices.

The media have much to answer for in helping to create the panic buying in the shops. The Corona virus story has been told as a doomsday tale to take up the whole of 24 hour news schedules. Despite the level of deaths due to the virus being relatively low in this country, reports tend to begin with the latest death toll. The number tested, the overwhelming number found to be negative receive less profile. And rarely do we hear of people recovering which the vast majority do. It represents a false picture, which may sell papers but is not to the common good.

We will all learn a lot about ourselves and each other during this crisis – some good, some bad. But hopefully, the positive things like looking out for our neighbours and coming together in community will stay with us. Not just a return to things as they were, treating it all as a long bad dream. There are lessons to be learned that can result in our becoming a more caring connected society, that values people over things, as a result of this crisis.

Walthamstow Wetlands - a place of tranquility

There are some fantastic wildlife areas around East London. We are lucky to have so many in Redbridge, including Wanstead, Valentines and South Parks, as well as Fairlop Waters and Hainault Forest. All offer fantastic opportunities to get out and experience nature at first hand.

I’ve visited all of these areas at various times, however, one of my favourite places to go is Walthamstow Wetlands. The development of the site has come about via collaboration between Thames Water, Waltham Forest Council and the London Wildlife Trust. It has been open to the public under its new guise since October 2017.

There are a number of ways to get over to the Wetlands including bus, train and car. But I usually go across by cycle, going through the Olympic Park, past the velodrome, along by Hackney Marshes and then through Walthamstow Marshes to the Wetlands.

The site is a real place of tranquillity, great for walking and observing bird life. There are often peregrines up on the pylons and a variety of ducks on the different reservoirs. Recent visitors have included goldeneye and goosander. Smaller birds like the black redstart, firecrest, bearded tit and reed bunting have all been recent visitors. Migrant birds passing through have become a regular feature.

The lakes are also home to many who like to fish, with platforms situated around some of the reservoirs.

The wildlife very much comes first in the Wetlands. The public are welcome but they must behave. No dogs, no feeding bread to the birds, no running or cycling on the banks. Different parts of the 10-lake site get restricted during the year to protect habitats.

There is less freedom than in somewhere like Wanstead Park, where the dogs roam but the plastic bottles and other human detritus that accompany that freedom are also absent.

The main centre is called the Engine House, where there is a shop selling a variety of wildlife related items. The book of bird spots is also available. Then there is the café, called the Larder, which offers a decent snack and accompanying drink.

For those who prefer the pub there is the excellent Ferryboat, on the opposite of the entrance to the Wetlands on the Forest Road.

The London Wildlife Trust also have a room, from where they run a whole variety of community events, involving volunteers.

I have been going to the Wetlands for a few years now, come sun, rain or cold conditions – it is always a great day out. There always seems to be something different going on, some new development being tried out. It is certainly a place I’d recommend for those who want to see the local wildlife or simply just get out there and enjoy nature.

Time to get back to reporting rather than predicting the news

There has been a fundamental change in news coverage over recent years going from reporting to predicting the news.

This phenonema was apparent in the recent election, as commentators vyed with each other to share their crystal balls with the electorate.

More recently there has been coverage of the Corona virus,pp which has become a projection game regarding cases in this country. 

Worryingly, there is tendency to grab for rhe worst prediction, then seek to normalise it.

This was seen early on when former health secretary Jeremy Hunt talked about 70% of the population being effected in a worse case scenario. This was seized upon by some and projected as the norm.

The language of much of the coverage repeatedly uses words and phrases like might happen, could do and is likely.

Ofcourse, there is every need to be ready and prepared for whatever maybe coming with the Corona virus but it is wrong to frighten and panic people with hysterical coverage that seeks to normalise worst case scenarios.

Dare i suggest that this type of sensationalism may help sell papers and attract viewers and readers to media outlets but it does not help deal with the problem of the Corona virus.

The government have been dealing with things in a measured and responsible way, with informed advise, particularly from the chief medical officer. 

Thankfully, the public have behaved remarkably calmly, following the precautions recommended like washing hands and avoiding contact. People have continued to go about their daily lives, refusing to be panicked. Long may it continue.

This predictive style of journalism really can be very damaging. It has been seen time and time again with terrorism - hyping atrocities and predicting armageddon. 

Surely, it is time to step back and consider what we are doing as journalists. The role is to report what is going on, unearth injustice and highlight positive happenings as well. Journalism is supposed to inform and educate, not frighten and depress people. Arguably, this predictive form of journalism is a close relation to fake news.

So let''s get back to proper journalism, unearthing the facts and getting the news out there - it's time to put away those crystal balls and do a bit of truth telling.

 

published - Wanstead & Woodford Guardian - 12/3/2020

Normalising disasters whilst criminalising protesters is no way to tackle climate crisis

The news of climate catastrophe seems to be coming fast and furious as the year progresses.

At the start of the year there were the fires spreading across Australia causing devastation.

There has been much other climate related devastation caused across the world.

In the UK, recently there have been the floods in various parts of the country, as well as the damage caused by high winds.

All of these events underline how brutally nature can turn – this should be obvious to anyone taking a look at these and other events. Nature will not wait until it is convenient to humanity to get its priorities sorted out, a time when the issue can be brought off the back burner because there is some money available to address the mounting problems.

The activities of the likes of Extinction Rebellion continue to raise the issues, in an often dramatic and inconvenient way for leaders across the world.

But those leaders continue to not prioritise action to address the crisis. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned 18 months ago that the world had 12 years to keep warming below 1.5 degrees. Failure to do so will have serious consequences. But what has been done, the world continues to hurtle toward 3 to 4 degrees warming. The actions are not being taken.

Worse still, there seems to be a pincer movement to normalise climate catastrophe, whilst at the same time criminalising those who call for action to address the crisis.

So, the TV screens and newspapers are full of pictures of devastation from the Australian fires or those flooded out in the north of England. How long before this is just taken as the norm, nothing to be done, nothing can be done about it. Catastrophe overload.

Then, there have been the reports of police classifying groups like Extinction Rebellion in the terror category.

This is not a sign of action but one of shooting the messenger. Stop those who seek to halt the very activities that are seeing the climate crisis career out of control. Put your heads in the sand and continue as though it is not happening.

If the world is to be saved from climate catastrophe, including biodiversity destruction, then serious actions need to be taken. It is no answer at all to target those who seek to raise these issues, whilst hoping that constant exposure to the devastation will eventually numb citizens into acceptance and silence regarding the devastation of the planet.