Fall of Wosley

When was Wolsey a ‘spent political force’

August 1529

When was Wolsey removed as Lord Chancellor

October 1529, much of wealth also taken e.g Hampton Court

When was Thomas Cranmer summoned to study the scriptures

1529

When is Wolsey arrested

November 1530

When does Wolsey die

29th November, 1530 during the journey

When is his marriage annulled and who by

May 1533, Thomas Cranmer

What is Wolsey charged with in October 1529

Praemunire

When does henry marry Anne

January 1533

What factors contribute to Wolsey’s downfall

Disappoints Henry, alienates himself and makes enemies, the Boleyn faction

How did Wolsey disappoint Henry

• 1523 subsidy failed to finance French war

• 1525 Amicable grant caused revolt (put down by Duke of Norfolk, Anne’s uncle, he gained credibility whilst Wolsey Declined)

• failed to secure annulment

• anti Habsburg alliance left England isolated by 1529

• Wolsey had successes but his failures were more important. Henry desperate for divorce, Wolsey must succeed

How did Wolsey alienate himself and make enemies

• Spent time abroad, e.g 1527 left for foreign negotiations and went on progress, unable to influence events in court

• Time away from Henry meant he was influenced by other people, loses favour

• Made many enemies, his contemporaries resented him - alter rex, lavish lifestyle, low beginnings, went above them

• Eltham ordinances 1526, tries to reduce influence of other people

What was the Boleyn faction

• Wolsey had enemies on the Council, faction grew up against him in the Council and Privy Chamber

• Members included Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Howard (uncle), Dukes of Suffolk, Lord Rochford (Anne’s dad)

How did Anne play a part

• Rival of Wolsey, he felt she poisoned the King’s mind

• Anne hated him, accused him of slowing down annulment

• Anne didn’t like church reform so had little in common with Wolsey

Why did it matter that Wolsey spent time away from court

• Boleyn faction had his ear, Henry was easily manipulated and his opinions could be changed by others

• they made him questions Wolsey

• Henry was infatuated with Anne and would remove any barrier form annulment proceedings

• Henry increasingly turned to/consulted Anne’s followers

What happened in July/August 1529

Councillors that were part of Boleyn faction/followers of Anne began to line up against Wolsey