Wolf Hall

A Complete Guide to Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall

This guide was first published in 2024 as part of the 2024 Wolf Crawl slow read of Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy. Read more about that read along.

#1 Across the Narrow Sea / Paternity

Wolf Crawl #1: So now get up

• Readers’ posts:

  • Wandering around in wolf territory by Andrea

#2 At Austin Friars / Visitation

Wolf Crawl #2: A man beyond price

• Readers’ posts:

  • Have we refreshments for our visitors? by Andrea

  • Heavy the Head that Wears the Hat by Analise Brower

  • What I Didn’t Know About the Tudor Rose by PushPullProse

#3 An Occult History of Britain (Part 1)

Wolf Crawl #3: Butcher's dog

• Readers’ posts:

  • An uninvited guest at the table by Andrea

  • The House of Seven Gable (Hoods) by Analise Brower

• 2024 discussion

#4 An Occult History of Britain (Part 2)

Wolf Crawl #4: Drowned men

• Readers’ posts:

  • Good wine keeps the chills out? by Andrea

  • Dyed Hair and Cardinal’s Caps by Analise Brower

• 2024 discussion here

#5 Make or Mar / Three-Card Trick

Wolf Crawl #5: The ghosts are gathering

• Readers’ posts:

  • ‘A little less evident appetite’ by Andrea

  • Swiss Guards and Three Kings’ Crowns by Analise Brower

• 2024 discussion

#6 Entirely Beloved Cromwell (Part 1)

Wolf Crawl #6: They want you upstairs

• Readers’ posts:

  • The Scent of Roses from the Kitchen by Andrea

  • Chefs’ Toques, French Hoods, and Ivory Pins by Analise Brower

• 2024 discussion

#7 Entirely Beloved Cromwell (Part 2)

Wolf Crawl #7: The cardinal is alive

• Readers’ posts:

  • 'We had not even finished our dinner' by Andrea

  • King's Crowns and Jousting Helmets by Analise Brower

• 2024 discussion

#8 The Dead Complain of Their Burial / Arrange Your Face (Part 1)

Wolf Crawl #8: Pick your prince

• Readers’ posts:

  • Eat at your own risk by Andrea

  • Tiny tangents and research rabbitholes by Analise Brower

• 2024 discussion

#9 Arrange Your Face (Part 2)

Wolf Crawl #9: Bear keeper's a steady job

• Readers’ posts:

  • Hungry like the Wolf by Andrea

#10 ‘Alas, What Shall I Do For Love?’ (Part 1)

Wolf Crawl #10: The balance of power

• Readers’ posts:

  • Two Crows Inn by Andrea

  • Mercers and Silk by Analise Brower

#11 ‘Alas, What Shall I Do For Love?’ (Part 2) / Early Mass

Wolf Crawl #11: Gambling is not a vice

• Readers’ posts:

  • Miserable fire and nothing to drink by Andrea

  • A feather in your cap by Analise Brower

#12 Anna Regina (Part 1)

Wolf Crawl #12: The great persuader

Bonus: A great longing to eat apples by Andrea

#13 Anna Regina (Part 2)

Wolf Crawl #13: Tomorrow is another world

Bonus: Swans and Peacocks by Andrea
Bonus: The headwear of “Anna Regina” by Analise Brower

#14 Devil’s Spit / A Painter’s Eye

Wolf Crawl #14: A quaking world

Bonus: Come home with me to dinner by Andrea
Bonus: Even Mark Smeaton Gets a Feather in His Cap by Analise Brower

#15 Supremacy

Wolf Crawl #15: A buried empire

Bonus: Water of Life by Andrea
Bonus: Hooded Symbolism by Analise Brower

#16 The Map of Christendom (Part 1)

Wolf Crawl #16: Now he is a sorcerer

Bonus: These are carnivorous days by Andrea

#17 The Map of Christendom (Part 2) / To Wolf Hall

Wolf Crawl #17: Words, words, just words

Bonus: Farewell Party for Wolf Hall by Andrea
Bonus: Capping off Wolf Hall by Analise Brower