CROMWELL'S RISE Flashcards
1
Q
WHY DID CROMWELL RISE?
A
- He was a FIGHTER from 1503-1512 for the French, so he had war-experience and could help in war-related matters
- Was a high profile LAWYER from 1520s as he needs a lawyer for his annulment, and to assist in running England
- He WORKED under Wolsey in his council in 1519, so can learn from his mistakes
- Speaks 4 LANGUAGES and lived in Florence and Belgium, so he could help in European matters
- HE’S NOT A CARDINAL, so he only operates in Henry’s interests, so can help Henry glorify himself, and applied to Royal Council in 1531
- He was a MERCHANT in Belgium for 3 years, so he understands how to make and raise money more than Wolsey (Amicable Grant failure)
- Rose through the ranks to become Henry’s closest advisor in 1529
- He DEFENDED WOLSEY in court, and oversaw his personal matters, giving Henry the sense of loyalty he had, and Henry respected it.
2
Q
CROMWELL AND THE ANNULMENT
A
- When Cromwell took over the case of the annulment in 1531, he understood that the Pope would never grant him an annulment.
- In 1529-31, the Duke of Suffolk and Norfolk tried but nothing happened
- However, he understood that the Parliament was supremely underused and that this power could be transferred to Henry
- So, on May 23, 1533, Henry got the annulment as he had his own Archbishop of Canterbury, which was Thomas Cranmer, so the annulment went through.
- THIS MADE HENRY TRUST CROMWELL AS HE GOT THE JOB, THAT WOLSEY COULDN’T DO, DONE
3
Q
HOW WAS CROMWELL TREATED?
A
- He wasn’t given as much freedom as Wolsey, as Henry took a more direct role in the government, so Henry wanted his tasks to be done more efficiently, quickly and to a higher extent
- He wasn’t as rivalrous and extravagant as Wolsey, so he had more support from the public for his actions.
- He wasn’t even titled as Lord Chancellor, as Henry wanted to give him less titles, and learn from his mistakes.
