Fall Of Cromwell Flashcards
A new wife
Cromwell started to look for a new wife for Henry virtually as soon as Jane died and it felt that one son was not enough for Henry to secure the Tudor dynasty.
Support for the match
Cleves actually wanted Anne to marry Henry.
He had received some rejections about other royal families because of how Henry treated his wives.
Choosing a Protestant wife
Cleves had broken away from the popes authority but had not become fully Protestant.
Cromwell saw this as a chance to make more Protestant reforms.
Also shows that Henry was not going to return to the Catholic Church.
Choosing a foreign wife
A foreign wife would be less likely to challenge Cromwells position as she wouldn’t have relatives wanting to take his place.
Mistaking Anne of Cleves
Henry saw a painting of Anne in 1539 and liked what he saw.
He ordered Cromwell to organise the marriage and the treaty confirming it was signed in October 1539.
Unfortunately when Henry saw what I look like in real life he took an instant dislike to her.
He had to marry her anyway but the marriage was never consummated.
Annulling marriage to Anne of Cleves
The alliance between France and Charles quickly broke down so by spring Henry no longer needed the Cleves alliance.
He also fell in love with Catherine Howard.
Henry ignored his marriage to Anne on the grounds of non-consummation.
Henry married Catherine on the 28th of July.
Losing Henry’s favour
Henry blame Cromwell for the failure of the Cleves marriage I wanted to punish him.
Cromwell had also been introducing more Protestant reforms but Henry was still basically a catholic he didn’t approve of Cromwells actions.
The role of the Duke of Norfolk
Norfolk was catholic and hated Cromwell’s Protestant reforms.
Norfolk believed that the son of a blacksmith should not be advising the King.
Cromwell had closed down the Thetford Priory which was the family burial place for Northfolk.
Norfork had to re-bury his relatives bones somewhere else this was took as a personal attack.
Norfolk’s scheming
Norfolk took advantage of Henry’s anger over the Cleves marriage and also used his influence over the king as Catherine Howard’s uncle.
He and Catherine spread rumours that Cromwell erasing trying hard enough to secure the annulment from Anne of Cleves and he was trying to turn England fully Protestant.
Cromwell’s downfall
Cromwell was arrested and charged with hersey and treason taken to the Tower of London.
All possessions were taken from him and Parliament condemned him to death without a trial.
He was executed on the 28th of July despite writing a pleading letter to Henry protesting his innocence.
Henry married Catherine Howard on the same day.
Henry never appointed a chief minister again.
