Henry VIII - The Rise of Thomas Wolsey

Question 1

Of what birth was Thomas Wolsey?

Answer 1

The son of a butcher from Ipswitch?

Question 2

How did Thomas Wolsey’s birth effect his political life?

Answer 2

1. He was hated by the nobility for having more power than them.
2. He frequently attacked the power of the aristocracy.

Question 3

How did Wolsey’s personal attributes help him rise to power?

Answer 3

1. His education and intelligence helped him to charm and manipulate the King into letting him become the primary minister.
2. He was organised and immensley hard-working.

Question 4

How did the Church help Wolsey rise to power?

Answer 4

In 1507 Wolsey was made royal chaplain to Henry VII, which landed him in court. In 1514 he was Bishop of Lincoln, Archbishop of York in 1515 and then again in that year Cardinal.
In 1518 he became Papal Legate, outranking all of the clergy in England.

Question 5

How did Wolsey’s position as Royal Almoner (1509) help him?

Answer 5

He could have easier access to the King who had no interest in the day to day duties of running England.

Question 6

Who did Wolsey gain patronage under?

Answer 6

Bishop Richard Fox.

Question 7

How did Wolsey charm his way into high office?

Answer 7

• Henry VIII hated his father’s overly-cautious advisors.
• Wolsey adopted a pro-war stance, abandoning his faith, in order to please Henry VIII
• Henry VIII allowed him to organise the very successful, first invasion of France in 1513.
• Wolsey was then propelled into high office.