Thomas Wolseys fall from power Essay example - 1416 Words

The most important reason for Wolsey’s fall from power was his failure to obtain a divorce. How far do you agree? Wolsey was a cardinal and statesman, Henry’s lord chancellor and most faithful servant, whom he was most reliant upon. From 1515 to 1529 Wolsey’s rule was undisputed. Henry VIII delegated more and more state business to him, including near complete control of England’s foreign policy. Wolsey’s finest hour was arranging the Field of Cloth of Gold. Wolsey used his wealth to indulge his passion for building, his grand style of living made him increasingly unpopular. Wolsey’s failure to arrange an annulment for Henry was quickly followed by his downfall. In this essay I will look how far this was the main reason for his collapse†¦show more content†¦Catherine was not willing to let go easily as this meant her child Mary could be made illegitimate, she was also a strong Catholic and believed that she was supposed to be Queen of England. She refused to go to a convent and refused to go to the hearing in London, which is why she appealed in Rome, this gave her a stronger chance to win her case. Another strong reason was the fact that Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor and Catharine’ s nephew was holding the Pope hostage and had him under house arrest. Charles V had invaded Italy and therefore the Pope was in no position to agree a divorce (considering the family connections). In normal circumstances he may have gotten the divorce. When the final failure of Wolsey’s efforts to secure the divorce became apparent the king turned on his once faithful and most trusted servant. Henry felt let down and Wolsey was no longer useful. In addition Wolsey was becoming less successful as on the political front Charles V had taken Italy while Francis I had grown tired of the war and sought peace. In this he abandoned Italy to Charles, and they agreed on a Treaty at Cambrai which Henry effectively ignored. As a result Wolsey`s grand plan for conservative reform and England holding the balance of power in Europe fell. Henry seized the initiative from an absent Wolsey and so the relationship between them worsened. He stopped listening to Wolsey and turned to other advisers and suggestions like of Crammer andShow MoreRelated Wolseys Responsibility For His Own Downfall Essay2581 Words   |  11 PagesWolseys Responsibility For His Own Downfall Thomas Wolsey can be easily viewed as being responsible for his own downfall. John Guy believes that Wolsey was â€Å"brilliant but flawed.† His rise was based on luck, charm, intelligence and opportunism. Wolsey had such high ambitions and gave Henry the idea he was capable of getting him anything, so when Wolsey failed to get Henry a divorce, it was seen as the final nail on the coffin to his downfall. His policies are alsoRead MoreThomas Cromwell : A Great Writer Essay731 Words   |  3 PagesThomas Cromwell Thomas Cromwell was a great English statesman and lawyer who lived in the late 1400s to early 1500s. He was born in 1485 in the district of Putney in London, England. Though he was born into a blacksmith and trade family, he wanted to be self-made and get into the government and politics of England. At a young age, Thomas Cromwell traveled through Europe, including Italy and France, picking up various trades such as military, banking and as a clerk but later ending up as a lawyerRead MoreThe Rule Of The Court Of Henry Viii And The Fall Of Thomas Cromwell2088 Words   |  9 PagesKing’s decision making process. When exploring the idea that Henry VIII was controlled by factions, there are three events during the King’s reign, which suggest that faction was highly influential and prominent: the fall of Cardinal Wolsey, the fall of Anne Boleyn and the fall of Thomas Cromwell. 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