Opposition and the fall of Cromwell Flashcards
Reasons why Cromwell was he architect of the Reformation
- Use of injunctions meant he could give instructions without Henry’s approval.
- Henry too distracted to read the Bishops Book and Cromwell was banking on this.
- 1537 , every parish church had an English Bible.
- 1538, his second set of injunctions included detailed instructions to Bishops on what policies they should implement in their diocese - no relics, discourage pilgrimage.
Reasons why Cromwell wasn’t the architect of the Reformation
- His religious beliefs came secondary to Henry’s wishes and he would’ve followed whatever Henry told them to.
- Before his execution, there was a drift away Catholicism - unlikey he could’ve manipulated Henry into open Lutheranism.
- Cromwell had a short-term impact on the Reformation and without him it stopped.
Who was responsible for bringing Cromwell down in court?
Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, leader of the conservative faction.
What were the reasons for Cromwell’s fall from power?
The Cleves marriage
Henry VIII
Factionalism
Class hatred
Religious changes
Cromwell himself.
Why did the Cleves marriage play into Cromwell’s downfall?
-Cromwell arranged the marriage between Henry and Anne of Cleves, brother of the German Duke of Cleves.
-The marriage was intended to gain a Protestant ally against France and the Habsburgs, who made peace and could’ve invaded England.
The marriage was a disaster as Henry found Anne unattractive so had the marriage cancelled.
The marriage was pointless as the Habsburgs and France were soon at war again.
Fiasco ruined Henry and Cromwell’s relationship - BUT 3 months before Cromwell’s execution Henry made Cromwell the Earl of Sussex - still close.
How did Henry VIII himself play a role into Cromwell’s death?
-Henry had been publicly embarrassed by Cromwell with the marriage fiasco - Norfolk used this.
-Henry became infatuated with Catherine Howard.
-Henry would remove anyone who didn’t act in his favour - disagreed with some of Cromwell’s religious reforms.
How did Factionalism play a role in Cromwell’s execution?
Catholic faction, led by Duke of Norfolk, enticed Henry with Catherine Howard.
- Catherine ordered to spread rumours that Cromwell was working in his own interests when he arranged the Cleves marriage.
- Howard spread rumours that Cromwell wasn’t acting fast enough to end the Cleves marriage. Also suggested to Henry that Cromwell was protecting a group of Protestant heretics in Calais - Norfolk found “fabricated” letters.
-Cromwell was executed on the same day as Henry’s marriage to Catherine Howard.
How did Class hatred cause Cromwell’s execution?
- When Cromwell was made Earl of Sussex in 1540, it added to the already existing resentment from the nobility as Cromwell wasn’t from a noble family.
- Cromwell was especially hated because he was a self-made man in a world of hierarchy, where almost everyone believed that God put people in their places - seen as defying God’s will.
HOWEVER:
- Protestant reformers saw him as an ally.
- Many nobles did well out of the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
How did Religious changes play a part in the execution of Cromwell?
- His Protestant beliefs were used by the Catholic faction to bring him down = accused of heresy.
- When he was made Vice Vicar in 1535, he was given the power to make reforms in Henry’s name - made Protestant changes that were too radical for Henry and also went against the Divine Right of Kings.
- Six Articles Act in 1939 reversed Cromwell’s changes and restored the essential Catholic changes.
How did Cromwell himself play a role in his execution?
- Henry was embarrassed and angered by the marriage fiasco and so felt the need to punish Cromwell.
- The Protestant alliance, his own religious beliefs and the Cleves marriage made Henry suspicious that Cromwell was pursuing his own interests, rather than his kings.
