The Fall of Cardinal Wolsey
Failure to Resolve Henry VIII's Great Matter
At the beginning of the 1520s the prospect of the English church breaking from the Papal see of Rome seemed very remote, even absurd. The King had gained the power of appointment before the reign of Henry VIII, even the stronger Norman kings had held that power. The English considered their church to be less corrupt than its contemporary Dutch, French, German and Scots counterparts were. The King's chief minister was indeed Cardinal Wolsey, who had dominated the administration since financing the wars against France during the 1510s. Henry had even made Wolsey the bishop of Tournai after its capture in 1513, although a French rival to the see prevented him adding its revenues to those of his already impressive English stipends.
Unpopular Cardinal
Wolsey, in many ways personified the abuses within the English church at that time, always having at least two stipends and not being in attendance in any of them until after his fall from political power. Wolsey was however, the main exception. None of his fellow bishops held more than one Episcopal sees at a time even if they held more minor offices. Wolsey was also the only one amongst them known to have children. The moral state of the English church could have been favourably compared to those on the continent or Ireland where breaches in clerical morality, discipline or nepotism were more common place. In the Irish church for example, a large number of clergy passed on appointments to their sons.
Cardinal Wolsey's arrogance and the confidence of the King made him many enemies amongst the nobility and in Parliament, he was not the most popular amongst his fellow senior clerics and bishops. Wolsey enjoyed showing off his wealth and power by building his palace at Hampton Court. He had also closed down twenty-nine religious houses to found colleges at Oxford and Ipswich. However, these assets were seized by the crown after his fall, Cardinal's college was refounded and renamed Christ college. Wolsey had been aided by Henry's lack of interest in everyday administrative chores, which potential harmful effects were overcome by an effective bureaucracy and some highly capable ministers. Being a royal minister certainly brought rewards and riches, but as will be shown, could be a dangerous if not fatal position to be in. Wolsey lamented that his fortunes would have been better if he had served God as much or as well as he had served Henry VIII. Any who surveyed the plush surroundings of Hampton Court must have felt that he had spent too much time serving himself.
Fall From Power
Henry VIII had also fallen in love with Anne Boleyn, although he had previously had mistresses, he needed to marry Anne to ensure that any children were legitimate and secure the dynastic succession. Anne was determined to be the next queen rather than just a mistress and was supportive of religious reform, as she believed it would enhance her chances of marrying Henry. Henry therefore, decided to ask the Pope for an annulment. Clement VII may normally have been accommodating, but he was a virtual prisoner of the Imperial armies of the Charles V. The mainly Lutheran Imperial army had sacked Rome. Clement who neither wanted to upset Henry or Charles (who was Catherine's nephew) delayed making any decision, but set up an inquiry over the marriage. Wolsey was sent by Henry to get an annulment, but had failed to make any progress by 1529. Henry had grown impatient and influenced by members of the nobility led by the Duke of Norfolk, decided to remove Wolsey from office.
Bibliography
Fernandez-Arnesto, F & Wilson, D. Reformation - Christianity and the World 1500-2000 (1996). Bantam Press, London
Plowden, A. Tudor Women, Queens and Commoners (2002) 2nd Edition Sutton Publishing Limited, Stroud.
Scarisbrick, J The Reformation and the English People (1984)
MacCulloch D, Reformation – Europe’s House Divided (2004) Penguin Books, London
Vale B, A History of the Church of England (2006)
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