What are the factors in Wolsey’s fall from power
- Foreign and Domestic policy failures
- Failure to achieve annulment
- Opposition from the nobility (Aragonese faction) and the Reformation Parliament
Foreign and domestic policy failures
No success since 1520
Diplomatic revolution of 1525-1527 was a failure, the alliance with France put England on the losing side of the Hapsburg-Valois struggle
Isolated by the Peace of Cambrai
Amicable grant 1525 was a failure and damaged the reputation of Wolsey severely
1523 subsidy made the nobility despise Wolsey as it targeted the nobility
Failure to achieve the King’s annulment
Wolsey’s hold on power relied solely on him serving the King and achieving his needs, when he could no longer do this - his downfall was inevitable
Wolsey’s scriptural arguments were undermined by the Deuteronomy
The court of Blackfriars failed when Catherine referred the case to Rome
Role of the nobility
The Boleyn faction served an important part in the downfall of Wolsey
The duke of norfolk opposed Wolsey’s lowly origins and his influence over the King
Anne Boleyn opposed Wolsey because he had prevented her earlier betrothal to Henry Percy
Thomas Boleyn used the opportunity to increase his influence
Wolsey had no other supporters among factions within court
The aragonese faction opposed the annulment
Role of the reformation parliament
Called in 1529 by Henry
3 anti-clerical laws to stop pluralism
- get rid of wolsey
- show the pope that parliament was behind him
- declare that parliament invalidated his marriage to catherine`
When was Wolsey’s last success regarding foreign policy
1520 - Field of the Cloth of Gold
What did the alliance with France in 1527 cause
England to be on the losing side of the Hapsburg-Valois struggle
What was England isolated from in 1529
The Peace of Cambrai
Who was the Treaty of Cambrai signed by
France, HRE and the Pope. Left england isolated
What did Wolsey’s hold on power rely on
His ability to satisfy the king, when this could no longer be achieved his downfall was inevitable
What undermined Wolsey’s scriptural arguments
Deuteronomy
What failed when Catherine referred the case to rome
The court of Blackfriars
What faction can be attributed to Wolsey’s downfall
The Boleyn faction
Who opposed Wolsey’s lowly origins and influence over the king
The Duke of Norfolk (Thomas Howard)
Why did Anne Boleyn oppose Wolsey
Because he had prevented her betrothal to Henry Percy
What was the reformation called to do
Stop pluralism
- Get rid of Wolsey
- Show that parliament was behind him
- Show parliament had sanctioned the invalidation of the marriage with Catherine
