‘Bring Up The Bodies’ by Hilary Mantel, which I blogged about yesterday, has much to say about the nature of political manoeuvring and power games that seem as relevant now and as in the 16th century.

This quote, for example, could apply to any age:

 “What is the nature of the border between truth and lies? It is permeable and blurred because it is planted thick with rumour, confabulation, misunderstandings and twisted tales. Truth can break the gates down, truth can howl in the street; unless truth is pleasing, personable and easy to like, she is condemned to stay whimpering at the back door”.