Assess the Reasons Cardinal Thomas Wolsey Fell from Power

Once regarded as the most important figure in England during the reign of Henry VIII, Wolsey revelled in personal wealth and status that would ultimately lead to his downfall. Fundamentally, his fall from power was the result of varying factors, those that had built over the years and those that finally prompted the downward spiral that would ensure his exile. Wolsey’s failure to obtain an annulment for Henry VIII and his wife, Catherine of Aragon, was the most important reason, yet lies amongst a culmination of underlying forces that too played a role in knocking him from power.

It could be suggested that the most important trigger that led to Wolsey’s downfall was his inability to secure the King of England’s annulment. For a lack of a male heir and concerns over his wife’s fertility, Henry VIII became determined to annul his marriage since domestic security was a necessary aim in his kingship. Moreover, he had grown infatuated with Anne Boleyn and wished for her hand in marriage instead. Of course at this point in Henry’s reign, it was Thomas Wolsey, his right hand man, who was ordered to secure said annulment. Yet, by Catholic rule, this was a near impossible job and Wolsey in turn faced many problems in his biggest, and most important, duty yet. Since the head of the Church, Pope Clement, was essentially a prisoner of the devoted Catholic Charles V, there came to be difficulties in acquiring his permission for the annulment. Issues arose once again as the Pope faced issues in following Wolsey’s orders, having found a significantly contradictory text against the divorce which confirmed that Henry was related to Anne Boleyn in exactly the same way as he was to Catherine. This fundamentally undermined the idea of a moral annulment. Moreover, Catherine of Aragon herself was quite against any attempt for her husband to set her aside and, by being seen as the victim of her husband’s lust, gained the sympathy of many. Faltering progress made with Cardinal Campeggio caused Henry VIII to become furious and, in October 1529 Wolsey was charged with praemunire. His inability to obtain his king’s much desired annulment led to his dismissal and, later, his exile to York. It is clear, then, that Wolsey’s downfall was stimulated and caused by failed attempts at securing the divorce since, had he been able to follow through with his king’s orders, he would never have lost his position.

Perhaps a fundamental reason for falling from power was Thomas Wolsey’s upbringing which, in fact, served to bring much hatred from the nobility. The son of a farmer, his rise to pre-eminence was unlikely and it was Wolsey’s abilities and loyalty to the king that abled a lowly born man to rise to such great power; an unsettling occurrence for the upper class. As Henry VIII’s right hand man, it was Wolsey’s habit to demonstrate his extravagant lifestyle. He made it his habit to go in daily procession to Westminster Hall clad in satin robes, accompanied by an entourage of gentlemen and nobles, leading to accusations that he saw himself as an ‘alter rex’. To add weight to this, it is estimated that, at the height of his powers, Wolsey was probably the times richer than his nearest rival, something which was much resented by the rest of the nobility. This hatred towards him tore away his long-earned respect over the years and caused his position to grow unstable.

Factional division amongst the nobility during the time of the annulment resulted in a great loss of Wolsey’s stability. Despised by Anne Boleyn, it became extremely difficult for Wolsey to keep his position by Henry VIII’s side secure since her faction had a growing influence over the king. Therein lays the problems Wolsey faced since, between him and this beautiful young woman, it was no question to which Henry would choose to keep. There was also a faction for Queen Catherine, including