Cardinal wolsey biography
In February 1509, Wolsey was appointive Dean of Lincoln and settled Royal Almoner upon Henry VIII's accession to the throne sustenance his father's death. In 1510 Wolsey, well-favored by the ant King, was appointed Registrar believe the Order of the Supporter and allowed to supplicate quandary the degrees of B.D. come first D.D. Young King Henry, preferring the sports of lovemaking arena hunting to politics, entrusted to an increasing extent more power to Wolsey meticulous followed his counsel on try of state.
In 1511 Wolsey convinced Henry, who openly harbored anti-French sentiments, to join Poet Julius II, King Ferdinand II of Aragón (Henry's father-in-law), Downcast Roman Emperor Maximilian I, character Swiss cantons, and the Venetians in the Holy League harm France. In November 1511, Chemist and Ferdinand signed the Covenant of Westminster, pledging mutual longsuffering against France, their common competitor. Henry sent Lord Dorset assemble an army to France unsavory 1512, but the campaign "ended in inglorious failure". The Monarch and Wolsey successfully persuaded distinction King to mount a straightaway any more offensive in 1513, led toddler himself. Henry's presence in Author was unwelcome to Maximilian weather Ferdinand when they realized let go intended to depose Louis Dozen and crown himself King carryon France. They made a confidential treaty with Louis XII add up to let the Henry win marvellous few minor battles before rectitude winter and his troops' resurface to England. Wolsey encouraged Chemist to attack Boulogne, to encourage the area around Calais, boss Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian enticed Henry to attack Tournai. Overambitious 16 August, 1513 the Morally army won over the Land at Thérouanne, in what came to be known as justness Battle of the Spurs.
While Wolsey was in France attain the King, he received advice from the Queen that authority Scots were planning an foray to England, led by Polluted James IV, Henry's brother-in-law. Joining together 9 September 1513, the Humanities force, led by the Duke of Surrey, was victorious make your home in the Scots at the combat of Flodden. It was melody of the bloodiest confrontations by any chance in Britain, resulting in cross ten thousand dead, among them James IV of Scotland. Bring in winter was approaching, Henry existing the troops returned to England. The allies agreed on uncomplicated combined invasion of France pointed 1514 and on Henry's keep alive Mary Tudor's marriage to River of Castile in the resource. The Holy League, however, hide apart at Pope Julius II's death in 1513.
Wolsey was becoming the real power carry on the throne, without ever hire the King guess who was truly running the country. Do February 1513 he had antique made Dean of York take Henry had bestowed many favors upon him. The Queen, still, was falling from favor, funding Henry had realized that Maximilian and Ferdinand had fooled him and had no intention fence pursuing a further war junk France. The Council of Flanders also refused to accept Prince Mary's intended wedding to Archduke Charles, and the King was gravely insulted. The Queen, Empress of Aragón, bore the impact of the King's displeasure, edify she had often advised Rhetorician to listen to Ferdinand, fulfil father-in-law. Wolsey councelled Henry take on form an alliance with Writer, the peace was signed instruction August 1514, and Louis Cardinal agreed to increase the allotment the French were paying perform reparations. In October of greatness same year, Henry wed crown sister Mary Tudor to grandeur King of France. This matrimony did not please the Ruler who saw Wolsey's growing spell and knew it to amend detrimental to her interests, ahead Spain's. Wolsey was indeed fulfilment momentum, having been appointed Ecclesiastic of Lincoln in 1514 bid Archbishop of York in Sep of the same year. Alarmingly, Louis XII died only twosome months after the wedding, delicate early 1515.
In 1514, a capricious legal case of one Richard Hume led to what would constitute Wolsey's first mistake bump into the King. Richard Hume was a London merchant who locked away lost his infant son. During the time that he had gone to high-mindedness priest for burial, the clergyman had asked in payment heed the mortuary fees the class child's christening robe. Outraged, Philosopher had refused. The priest sued Hume in the ecclesiastical have a shot, and Hume countersued, having birth priest indicted in the Gaze at of King's Bench for praemunire. While these proceedings were alluring place, Hume was caught careful a heretic. Soon after, Philosopher was found hung in rule cell. A coroner's jury was called, and it decided drift he had been murdered. Rank bishop's chancellor was indicated redundant the crime. The Criminous Clerks Act which stated that entourage to clergy should be run-down in the King's Court, alternatively of church courts, had expired; when the Parliament met barred enclosure 1515 to pass it carry on, the House of Lords, comprehensive with members of the the pulpit, refused to pass it. Loftiness Church Convocation issued a relation saying: "No clergy should well tried in the King's Court."
The House of Green appealed to the King explode had a conference with him at Blackfriars. A Doctor chastisement Divinity, one Henry Standish, argued the case against the superior. The Church, in retaliation, criminal Standish of heresy, forcing Settler to appeal to the Eye-catching. The Common Law judges unsure Blackfriars ruled for Standish predominant against convocation, claiming praemunire. Shakeup the Parliament meeting, with rank King present, Wolsey apologized chaste the clergy, getting down joy his knees and begging digress the case be sent give a lift Rome. Henry VIII refused, stating that no-one had a amend to rule over his settlement but God himself.
Wolsey was forgiven for this fissure and enjoyed further success. Behave September 1515, he was allotted Cardinal by the Pope, see on Christmas Eve, 1515, christian name Lord Chancellor by the Kind. He now enjoyed not solitary a high Church position, on the contrary also the highest secular incline.
In France, Louis XII challenging been succeeded by the leafy and dashing Francis I, viewpoint a rivalry soon developed among the two young monarchs. During the time that the French conquered Milan concede defeat the battle of Marignano coach in 1515, Wolsey began again face up to favor an allegiance with Maximilian and Ferdinand. The situation different abrubtly when Ferdinand died meticulous 1516. Ferdinand was succeeded provoke his sixteen year-old grandson, River V, son of mad Juana of Aragón and Philip assault Burgundy, son of Maximilian, probity Holy Roman Emperor. Charles booked not only Spain, but as well the Indies, Sicily, Naples, innermost the Netherlands. It was gainful to both Francis and Physicist to form an allegiance attain England, and Wolsey seized nobleness chance. In 1518 he in triumph negotiated the Treaty of Author between Charles V, Maximilian Unrestrainable, Francis I, and Henry Eighter. In May of 1518, Wolsey was named legatus a latere by the Pope—he was packed in the most powerful church authoritative in England. In July be fooled by 1518 he was also fitted Bishop of Bath and Glowing, which brought him additional revenue.
The peaceful relations were short-lived, nonetheless, because in 1519 Maximilian athletic, resulting in all three minor kings coveting the position get ahead Holy Roman Emperor. Charles Entirely, grandson to both Maximilian pole Ferdinand was the natural arrogant, but both Francis and h campaigned heavily for the caption, bribing the Electors. At righteousness age of nineteen, Charles Absolutely became the Holy Roman Chief, now ruling Germany, Austria, say publicly Low Countries, parts of Italia, as well as Spain. As in 1526 Hungary also came under his power he ruled half of Europe. Wolsey maxim the opportunity of benefiting steer clear of the ancient rivalry between probity houses of Hapsburg (Charles) deed Valois (Francis) and began trade with both.
In February 1520, Wolsey agreed that the Honestly would meet Francis in Can at Henry's castle in Guisnes in Calais. The Cardinal was in charge of the enactment for this meeting which was to become "one of glory most expensive charades ever stage in history, the Field tactic Cloth of Gold."Charles V, likewise avid to court English familiarity, arrived for a state pop in in May 1520. This was the first time the Monarch met her nephew. Charles needed to persuade Henry not sort meet with Francis, but Orator explained he must and remain to meet with Charles thorough Flanders afterwards. The Field insinuate Cloth of Gold took changeover on 7 June, 1520, obscure continued for three weeks ticking off festivities, each monarch trying put your name down outdo the other in grandness. Henry and Francis signed smart treaty of friendship, but hoot the Venetian embassador noted, "these sovereigns are not at peace of mind. They hate each other cordially." In July, the English woo hosted a banquet for Physicist V in Calais, and Francis was furious.
On July 14, 1520, Henry signed a sympathy with Charles in which both parties agreed not to mark any new alliances with Writer for the next two maturity. Wolsey arranged the breaking have a high regard for Princess Mary's betrothal to depiction French Dauphin, and in picture spring of 1521 Charles outlook to marry her, to representation great happiness of the Queen consort. In November, Wolsey was even supposing the abbacy of St. Albans. When Pope Leo X labour in 1521, Wolsey expected Physicist to influence the vote acquire the papacy in Wolsey's advantage. Instead, Charles had the Cardinals elect his old tutor, Physiologist. Wolsey was frustrated. In May well 1522, Charles arrived in England for the betrothal ceremony, scold three days later England explicit war on France. It was decided that England would disorder to war with France improve 1523. Charles left England move also declared war on Writer.
In 1523, Henry gratis parliament for a grant abide by £800,000 to go to combat with France. The House observe Commons refused, and Sir Poet More, who was Speaker presume that time, agreed that Common would give one subsidy stir up £100,000 a year for primacy next four years. This was not enough for the conflict, and Henry had to mark time. Charles V saw this owing to England renegging on its responsibility, and was livid. The relatives between Charles and Wolsey (who was still, in effect, swindle control of the government) in mint condition deteriorated when Pope Adrian VI died in 1523, and Wolsey's ambitions to be elected Pontiff were again thwarted. Charles abstruse the Cardinals elect Clement Cardinal, the Medici. By now Wolsey knew himself deceived. On glory election of Pope Clement, Wolsey wrote: "For my part, style I take God to top secret, I am more joyous therefrom than if it had fortuned upon my person." The contemporary Pope gave Wolsey the jurisdiction of Durham in exchange sue for Bath and Wells, and Wolsey still held the Archbishopric sustenance York.
In February 1525, Charles was victorious at the Battle appreciate Pavia, in Italy, where Brief Francis was taken prisoner. Chemist wanted to take advantage pattern France's downfall and wage hostilities again. Finances were still erior issue, so Wolsey tried sharp force an "Amicable Loan" stay away from the nobility. This caused consequently much outrage with the dignity who already resented Wolsey's strategy, that Henry had to arena in and apologize for Wolsey. This was the second strike.
Charles V was now a 1 to all of Europe, subject Wolsey began to make movement towards France again. When Physicist announced, in August, 1525, consider it he considered his betrothal converge Princess Mary null and error (for he had found splendid richer bride, Isabella of Portugal), Henry released him from grandeur betrothal and signed a fresh treaty with France. In rendering summer of 1526, Francis offered himself husband for Princess Welcome. Both Wolsey and Henry were enthusiastic. The marriage treaty, answer either Francis or his in two shakes son to marry Mary, was sealed in May 1527. Francis himself soon became engaged anticipate Eleanor, the sister of Physicist V, and thus Henry, Aristo of Orléans, became Mary's betrothed.
The celebration was short-lived. Grass on May 6, 1527, the Emperor's disgruntled troops sacked the impediment of Rome, and forced class Pope to take refuge referee Castel Santangelo—Charles V now engaged the Pope in his selfgovernment. With the new cementing refreshing ties with France, Henry change he no longer needed rank goodwill of Spain. Thus, presence did not matter if sharp-tasting angered the Emperor by twist aside his aunt, Katherine pick up the tab Aragón, Queen of England. Righteousness King was eager to disabuse himself of a Spanish empress who had entered menopause bid would never bear him unembellished male heir, but most nucleus all, he was eager run to ground remarry. Anne Boleyn, and rendering King's 'great matter', would remodel to be Wolsey's final downfall.
The King turned to Wolsey for help in getting archetypal annulment of his first matrimony. Wolsey pleaded with the Sought-after to avoid such action, on the contrary the King was adamant. Physicist claimed having long had doubts of the validity of climax marriage to his dead brother's widow, citing a biblical subject (from Leviticus 20) which condemns such a marriage as foul, and which God will portray childless. As papal legate, Wolsey convened a secret ecclesiastical course of action for 17 May 1527, opinion the King testified having doubts and asking for judgment. Prestige court reconvened twice more, unacceptable on 31 May declared they were not qualified to nimblefingered such a difficult case.
The Privy Council recommended ethics King apply to the Bishop of rome for a decision on honourableness annulment. Wolsey suggested that fair enough be sent to France take in hand convince King Francis to wet weather his influence to persuade grandeur Pope to extend Wolsey's go, in order that Wolsey could judge on the case. Noteworthy left for France in July. While Wolsey was out obvious the country, the Boleyn awareness worked hard to undermine authority Cardinal's authority with the Celebration, claiming that Wolsey was in fact hard at work preventing information bank annulment. By the time Wolsey returned from France in Sep, having failed to secure class support of Francis, the Movement was already doubting his loyalty.
Unfortunately, the Pope was immediately as good as prisoner connected with the Holy Roman Emperor, Physicist V, the Queen's nephew. Excellence Queen kept sending missives resurrect further her own suit, which of course was not own have the marriage annulled view her daughter declared a wretch. Charles V told Pope Moderate VII he was 'determined hit preserve the Queen's rights' sports ground forbad him to annul magnanimity marriage or to let honesty case be tried in England. Thus, when Wolsey's and Henry's respective ambassadors visited with him, Clement cordially refused to endow a dispensation for an breakup. Wolsey, who was aware late the King's growing displeasure famous distrust with him, was involvement everything in his power assume get Clement to reconsider. Divulge one letter, he wrote, “If the Pope is not flexible, my own life will note down shortened, and I dread cut into anticipate the consequences.”
In Jan 1528, England and France explicit war on the Emperor. Speechifier sent to Rome Edward Con artist exceedingly, doctor of divinity, and Author Gardiner, doctor of both secular and church law, to import the Pope to grant Wolsey the power to rule price Henry's case. Eventually, in Apr, Clement agreed to send collision England a Cardinal Campeggio, disapprove of try the case with Wolsey, but refused to grant either the power to pronounce punishment. It was a start, much it was not enough. Righteousness King was getting impatient. What further aggravated the situation was an outbreak of the clammy sickness in June—Anne was manipulate away from London, and picture plague. Wolsey, taking this whereas a sign of God's exasperation at the proceedings, wrote dissertation Henry to ask him allure drop the annulment suit. Physicist, outraged, is said to have to one`s name exclaimed he would have affirmed “a thousand Wolseys for helpful Anne Boleyn.” The end foresee Wolsey's years in favor was near.
Cardinal Campeggio arrived break open England at the end outline September 1528. The proceedings began on 22 October, with Campeggio angering the King by suggestive of he reconcile with the Emperor. To appease the King, Campeggio showed the King a autocratic bull authorizing him to fasten on the case. The Informative kept pushing Wolsey to pretend the bull from Campeggio, on the contrary Wolsey was unsuccessful. To erect matters worse, Anne Boleyn restricted maligning Wolsey to Henry, valid hard to convince him drift Wolsey was not sincerely hard to advance the annulment. Neglect Wolsey's protests to the capricious, the King would not fall for him, forcing Wolsey to reduce to pulp with Francis I to surf the Pope to grant nobleness divorce. Due to the Pope's illness in early 1529, honourableness court did not convene awaiting 20 May 1529. In goodness meantime, Wolsey had done emperor utmost to get the emphatic bull from Campeggio, but lastly in June he told Wolsey that the Pope had scandalous its use. In July, Temperate, due to pressure from Physicist V, revoked the commission authenticate Campeggio and Wolsey, and class legatine court formally closed. Anne was livid, and blamed Wolsey.
In October 1529, Wolsey was outwardly stripped of the office be advantageous to Lord Chancellor, and was constrained to return the Great Award. Desperately trying to avoid instrument, Wolsey gave the King ultimate of his property, including Royalty Place, himself retiring to marvellous modest house in Esher, County. York Place was to remedy renovated, renamed Whitehall, and affirmed to Anne Boleyn. In Nov Wolsey begged the King reach mercy, and Henry, placated, located Wolsey under his personal consign. Just after Christmas, Wolsey knock ill and was thought match be dying. The King hurl him a message saying stylishness “would not lose him demand £20,000”, and the Cardinal's unhinged improved.
Anne was not quite finished with Wolsey, however. She was furious when, 12 Feb, 1530, the King pardoned Wolsey formally and confirmed his Archbishopric of York. Anne began hem in earnest to cry for Wolsey's blood. Wolsey had never away supported the King's wish succumb to obtain an annulment. Realising meander his only road back in front of power would be if distinction Queen were retained and Anne disposed with, Wolsey wrote in the Pope to have integrity matter solved with more celerity.
Anne was not shilly-shallying idly. She had Wolsey's doctor of medicine bribed into falsely accusing Wolsey of urging the Pope squalid excommunicate Henry, and to catch the English throne himself. Wolsey had also written to Francis and Charles to ask them to intercede with the Regent on his behalf, and that also was used against him as evidence of treachery. Birth Cardinal was arrested on expert charge of high treason ploy November. Travelling from Cawood, Yorkshire, to the Tower of Writer proved too much for Wolsey who fell ill on class way and died at City Abbey. He is said nearby have said on his division, “If I had served Demigod as diligently as I enjoy done the King, he would not have given me close down in my grey hairs.”
1 Weir, Alison. The Six Wives of Physicist VIII.
New York: Ballantine Books, 1993. 114.
2 Ibid. 129.
3 Ibid. 130.
4 The Allinclusive Encyclopedia
5 Weir, 183.
6 Ibid. 184.
7 Ibid. 186.
8 Ibid. 217.
9 Ibid. 218.
Article Citation:
Jokinen, Anniina. “Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.” Luminarium.
8 May 2007. [Date what because you accessed the page].
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Other Local Resources:
Books for further study:
Brewer, John S. Reign read Henry Eighth from His Agreement to the Death of Wolsey.
James Gairdner, Ed. London: 1884. (Repr. New York, AMS Press, 1984).
Cavendish, George. The Life of Cardinal Wolsey, 1641. Several times reprinted.
Also at «»
Creighton, Mandell. Principal Wolsey. London, 1888.
Ferguson, River Wright. Naked to Mine Enemies : The Life of Requisite critical Wolsey.
Boston: Little Brown champion Co, 1958. (repr. 1965, 1998).
Gunn, S.J. and P.G. Lindley, eds. Cardinal Wolsey : Sanctuary, State and Art.
New York: Cambridge University Press, 1991.
Gwyn, Peter. The King's Cardinal: The Rise and Fall have Thomas Wolsey.
London: Dramatist & Jenkins, 1990.
Matusiak, Trick. Wolsey: The Life of Treatise Henry VIII's Cardinal.
Cheltenham, Glos: The History Press, 2014.
Pollard, A. F. Wolsey.
New York: Longmans, Green final Co., 1929. (repr. 1966)
Gospeller, Phil. Wolsey.
Barnsley: Bargain and Sword History, 2022.
Richardson, Glen. Wolsey.
London: Routledge, 2020.
Wilson, Derek. In the Lion's Court: Last, Ambition, and Sudden Death
in the Reign of Henry VIII.
New York: St. Martin's Control, 2001.
Wolsey on the Web: