Zusammenfassung der Ressource
The fall of Thomas Cromwell in 1540
- He was the key figure in the establishment of the Royal
Supremacy
- He was instrumental in moving the country towards Protestantism in the 1530s
- This meant that he had created a lot of enemies at court - they were waiting the moment that Cromwell was vulnerable
- In many ways it was a surprise that Cromwell lasted as long as he did
- He was under constant threat after the fall of Anne Boleyn in 1536
- He had survived through his political skill and his utter ruthlessness - he had forseen the fall of Boleyn and had distanced himself from her
- Foreign Policy proved to be
critical in bringing Cromwell down
- France and the HRE's persecution of Protestants left England isolated
- Alliance with German Princes was seen as the way to end the isolation
- The disaster of the marriage to Anne of Cleves
- His 'Flanders Mare'
- Franco-Spanish alliance had broken down - but alliance with German Princes meant England couldn't take advantage of this
- When he was vulnerable, Cromwell's enemies at court attacked
- Cromwell had to annul the marriage to Anne of Cleves - this put the Howard faction in a strong position
- Despite being elevated to the Earl of Essex, he was arrested and executed in July 1540