We watched an interesting documentary on the rise and fall of Henry’s enforcer Thomas Cromwell. During his time, Cromwell helped lay the foundation of modern British Government. Cromwell was born in Putney, the son of a rough brewer. By 1502 he had had enough and left England, becoming a mercenary with the French Army and making friends with people in high places. On returning to England, Cromwell was proficient in languages and law. After negotiating a deal with the Vatican on behalf of the Guild Traders, he quickly came to the notice of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. Along the way he was elected a Member of Parliament and was co-opted to assist in the `Kings Great Matter’, the annulment of Henry’s 18-year marriage to Catherine of Aragon which produced one daughter, Mary, but not the longed-for son. Henry needed an annulment to marry Anne Boleyn. Cardinal Wolsey’s fall from power during this time also put Thomas Cromwell on shaky ground. Cromwell showed the King he could be valuable in his negotiations with the Papacy, who rejected Henry’s plea for annulment. Henry asked the people to reject the Papacy and in 1532 Parliament was given power to change the nature of the Constitution, creating the Empire of England, with King Henry becoming the supreme head of State. After Henry married Anne Boleyn, he began to eye the great wealth of the Monasteries and religious houses and the revenue that could be obtained from them. Thomas Cromwell oversaw the dissolution of over 800 monasteries and religious houses, an act of great destruction. While all this was taking place, Henry had Anne Boleyn beheaded for treason and adultery and set his sight on Jane Seymour. In a time of great change and uncertainty the Bible was translated into English, Henry approving every Parish to be given an English Bible.
Jane Seymour gave Henry his longed-for son, Edward, but died in the process. The arranged marriage to Ann of Cleaves was the undoing of Thomas Cromwell, whose enemies saw that he was sent off to the Tower and in 1540 was beheaded in front of a large crowd.
At our next Armchair History session, we will venture into the lives of Mary and Edward and eventually Mary Queen of Scots.
Terry Case