Cardinal Wolsey

Phil Roberts offers a fresh perspective on Thomas Wolsey's life, detailing his rise from humble beginnings to becoming Lord Chancellor and his eventual fall from grace, culminating in his death in 1530.

In Cardinal Wolsey, Phil Roberts offers a fresh perspective on the life of Thomas Wolsey, a prominent figure in Tudor England. The narrative begins by tracing the roots of the Wolsey family back to Anglo-Saxon times in Suffolk, with Thomas's father, Robert, being a successful businessman in Ipswich. Thomas was likely born in 1471 and baptized at St Mary at the Elms church. His early education led him to university, where he laid the groundwork for his remarkable rise to power.

Wolsey's ascent began when he joined the Royal Household as a chaplain to King Henry VII. With the accession of Henry VIII, Wolsey's influence grew significantly; he became the king's Almoner, which allowed him access to the King's Council. His administrative skills and dedication earned him several key clerical positions, culminating in his appointment as Lord Chancellor of England in 1515. One of his notable achievements was brokering the peace treaty between Henry VIII and Francis I of France at the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520, highlighting his diplomatic prowess.

However, Wolsey's fortunes changed with the king's desire for a divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in hopes of securing a male heir with Anne Boleyn. Despite his efforts, the Pope's delays led to Wolsey's downfall. Once favored by the king, he faced charges of treason and was escorted to the Tower of London. His health deteriorated, and he passed away on November 29, 1530, at Leicester Abbey, marking the end of a remarkable yet tumultuous career.