Henry VIII: Government - Ministers - Cromwell's Fall

Question 1

List factors that contributed to Cromwell’s fall

Answer 1

• Cromwell’s mistakes
• Rival factions at court
• Cromwell’s religious beliefs

Question 2

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

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What opportunities did Seymour’s death bring?

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

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

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

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

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Describe the Duke of Norfolk’s relationship with Cromwell

Answer 6

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

Question 7

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

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

When was Cromwell executed?

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

Why was Cromwell executed?

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

What impact did Cromwell’s execution have?

Answer 10

• Henry lost his best and most faithful servant

- Factions at court became competitive in hopes of becoming Henry’s next key minister

Question 11

What sort of person was Cromwell?

Answer 11

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