Set in the autumn of 1541 , the novel describes fictional events surrounding Henry VIII 's ' Progress ' to the North ( a state visit accompanied by the royal court and its attendants , the purpose of which was to formally accept surrender from those who had rebelled during the Pilgrimage of Grace ) . Most of the novel is set in York , though events in London and on the return journey via Hull are also depicted . Matthew Shardlake ( a London lawyer ) and his assistant Jack Barak arrive in York ahead of the Progress to fulfill an official role , but also with a secret mission from Thomas Cranmer , Archbishop of Canterbury . The official role is to deal with petitions to the King from the citizens of York ; the secret mission is to ensure the welfare of an important political prisoner , Sir Edward Broderick , so he can be brought to London for questioning in the Tower of London . However , events are quickly complicated when the murder of a York glazier leads Shardlake to the discovery of important documents that bring the King 's right to the throne into question
Pilgrimage of Grace
Pilgrimage of Grace
Sovereign (Sansom novel)