The Life of King Henry VIII's Cardinal: Thomas Wolsey

Thomas Wolsey was born in 1473 in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. The son of a butcher, he was ordained a priest in 1498 and quickly rose through the ranks of the Church. By 1509, he had become Bishop of Lincoln, and in 1514, he was made Archbishop of York.

Wolsey: The Life of King Henry VIII's Cardinal

by John Matusiak

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In 1515, King Henry VIII appointed Wolsey as Lord Chancellor, making him the most powerful man in England after the King. Wolsey was a skilled diplomat and politician, and he played a key role in shaping England's foreign and domestic policies. He was also a patron of the arts and learning, and he founded Cardinal College, which later became Christ Church, Oxford.

Wolsey's downfall began in 1527, when he failed to secure the annulment of Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Henry was determined to divorce Catherine so that he could marry Anne Boleyn, and he was furious when Wolsey was unable to obtain the necessary papal dispensation. Wolsey was stripped of his offices and banished from court.

Wolsey spent the last years of his life in York, where he devoted himself to religious and charitable works. He died in 1530, at the age of 58. He is buried in York Minster.

Wolsey's Legacy

Thomas Wolsey was a complex and controversial figure. He was a man of great ambition and ability, but he was also ruthless and self-serving. He played a key role in shaping the course of English history, and his legacy is still debated today.

Some historians see Wolsey as a villain, a man who abused his power and betrayed his king. Others see him as a victim of circumstance, a man who was caught between the conflicting demands of Henry VIII and the Pope. Ultimately, Wolsey's legacy is a mixed one. He was a man of both great talent and great flaws, and his life is a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition.

Further Reading

• Thomas Wolsey, Britannica.com
• Thomas Wolsey, History.com
• Thomas Wolsey, Luminarium.org

Wolsey: The Life of King Henry VIII's Cardinal

by John Matusiak

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4429 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	426 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE