Henry VIII: Government - Ministers - Cromwell's Fall Flashcards

1
Q

List factors that contributed to Cromwell’s fall

A
  • Cromwell’s mistakes
  • Rival factions at court
  • Cromwell’s religious beliefs
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2
Q

Describe Cromwell’s position prior to the Anne of Cleves marriage

A
  • Cromwell was well in control after execution of Anne Boleyn and Henry’s marriage to Jane Seymour
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3
Q

What opportunities did Seymour’s death bring?

A
  • Jane Seymour died in October 1537 from complications after childbirth
  • Gave Cromwell and Protestant reformers a chance to encourage a foreign Protestant marriage
  • France and Spain signed a truce in 1538 bringing insecurity - Protestant alliance would provide stability
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4
Q

Who did Cromwell pair Henry with and what was the outcome?

A
  • Anne of Cleves
  • Cromwell misinformed about Anne of Cleves’ appearance
  • Henry disliked her when she came to England in 1539 and demanded marriage should be cancelled
  • Too late to be cancelled, but marriage was annulled in 1540
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5
Q

How did the Anne of Cleves fiasco affect relations between Cromwell and Henry?

A
  • Weakened them
  • Henry already becoming unhappy with Cromwell’s religious changes
  • However in early 1540, Cromwell was made Earl of Essex
  • Huge promotion for man with no connections to nobility
  • Cromwell still in favour
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6
Q

Describe the Duke of Norfolk’s relationship with Cromwell

A
  • Duke of Norfolk was Cromwell’s bitterest rival on the Privy Council
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7
Q

How did the Norfolk faction take advantage of the collapse of the Cleves marriage?

A
  • Henry’s dislike for Anne intensified as he increasingly desired Catherine Howard, Duke of Norfolk’s niece
  • Catherine instructed to spread rumour that Cromwell was not securing the divorce fast enough
  • Norfolk knew the king was hesitant to more Protestant reforms and suggested that Cromwell was protecting a group of Protestants in Calais
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8
Q

When was Cromwell executed?

A
  • 28 July 1540
  • Executed for trumped up charges relating to introducing further Protestant changes and failing to enforce Act of Six Articles
  • Proven by Act of Attainder
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9
Q

Why was Cromwell executed?

A
  • Cromwell’s power always depended on his absolute obedience to Henry
  • His political skills failed him during the Cleves marriage and tackling the rival factions
  • King was also embarrassed from failed marriage
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10
Q

What impact did Cromwell’s execution have?

A
  • Henry lost his best and most faithful servant
  • Factions at court became competitive in hopes of becoming Henry’s next key minister
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11
Q

What sort of person was Cromwell?

A
  • Brilliant public servant
  • Reformer of government
  • Strongly believed in rule of law
  • Supporter of Protestant reforms - even if it made Henry uneasy
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