Wolsey's Fall

Question 1

How did failure to get an annulment cause Wolsey’s fall?

Answer 1

• Acted as a last straw
• Was cardinal and papal legate so should have had sway over the pope
• Was charged with praemunire in October 1529 and lost chancellorship

Question 2

How did hatred from the nobility cause Wolsey’s fall?

Answer 2

• Was of common background (son of a butcher)
• Lead to exclusion as nobility felt like their powers were being limited by someone who didn’t belong
• Wolsey’s aggressive policies against nobility e.g. enclosure policies, subsidies, start court

Question 3

What suggests church corruption caused Wolsey’s fall?

Answer 3

• Pluralism meant that Wolsey possessed too much power with no one to hold him accountable - was initially a strength but meant all blame fell on Wolsey when church could not permit the annulment and Wolsey had no other church leaders to back him

Question 4

How did failing domestic policy cause Wolsey’s fall?

Answer 4

• Amicable Grant was seen as Wolsey’s first major failure - 10,000 men in East Anglia rose against it

Question 5

How did failing foreign policy cause Wolsey’s fall?

Answer 5

• Short term victory of Treaty of London and complete failure of Peace of Cambrai
• Wolsey had not only failed in fulfilling his aim of securing peace but he had failed in an aim that Henry didn’t even want