The Rise and Fall of Thomas Wolsey
Russel Tarr considers key issues from the life of the famous Cardinal.
Thomas Wolsey (1473-1530) remains one of the most intriguing, charismatic figures of the entire Tudor period. In an age where the 'Great Chain of Being' encouraged people to believe that every man had his place and should not depart from it, Wolsey showed that it was possible for a butcher's son from Ipswich to become the key figure in both Church (as a Cardinal and Archbishop of York) and State (as Lord Chancellor) under King Henry VIII. He built palaces - such as Hampton Court and York Palace (now the Palace of Westminster, home of Parliament) - and became more wealthy and entertained more lavishly than the King himself. Such was his pre-eminence that many suspected that he aimed to become an Alter Rex (or second King). As the court poet, John Skelton, infamously wrote:
Why come ye not to court?
To which court?
To the King's court, or Hampton Court?
For Hampton Court is the finer…
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
