Matthew Shardlake is a fictional character created by author C.J. Sansom. He is a hunchbacked lawyer in 16th-century England, known for his intelligence and keen sense of justice. Shardlake serves as a legal advisor to Thomas Cromwell, a prominent figure in the court of King Henry VIII. The character appears in a series of historical mystery novels, starting with "Dissolution." Shardlake navigates the complexities of the Tudor era, tackling legal cases while also confronting the political and religious upheavals of the time. His unique perspective and moral dilemmas make him a compelling protagonist in historical fiction.