Why did Cromwell fall from power?

Why did Cromwell fall from power?

1. Factional rivalries

   • Cromwell's enemies at court made use of the failed Cleves marriage
   • The Duke of Norfolk used his niece, Catherine Howard, to gain influence with Henry again
     • Catherine was encouraged to spread rumours about Cromwell at court
   • Norfolk accused Cromwell of protecting a group of extreme Protestants in Calais - to drive a wedge between Cromwell and Henry
   • Norfolk conversed with the King of France in 1540
     • They discussed the fall of Cromwell and a restart of war between France and the Holy Roman Empire
       • This improved Norfolk's relationship with Henry

2. Religious policies

   • Cromwell could make religious decisionson behalf of the King because of his appointment as vicegerent in spirituals in 1535
   • Cromwell's Protestant ideas were too radical for Henry
   • Henry was influenced by religious conservatives eg Steven Gardiner
   • Lambert's death was followed by a royal proclamation against heretics and showed Henry's more conservative views on religion
   • This was further confirmed by the Act of Six Articles which reinforced Catholic ideas eg transubstantiation

3. Royal marriages

   • Cromwell arranged the Anne of Cleves marriage. Henry thought Cleves ugly and blamed Cromwell for the marriage's failure
     • This weakened Henry's relationship with Cromwell
       • Henry also disliked Cromwell's extreme reformist policies
   • Hapsburg-Valois conflict ended the need for a Protestant alliance
   • Numerous marriages displeased the Pope
     • Pope excommunicated Henry in 1538