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Explain why Wolsey fell from power in 1529

In 1529, Wolsey was stripped of his government posts and properties and later accused of

treason. The causes of the fall of Wolsey can be explained as ‘all his own fault’, or as the result

of an ungrateful king turning against him, or as bad luck and old age.

Factors indicating that Wolsey was responsible for his own downfall might include:

the run of bad decisions since the Amicable Grant in 1525

the idea that Wolsey had become too arrogant about his own indispensability

perhaps above all, Wolsey’s failure to negotiate a successful solution to Henry VIII’s

burning desire to dump Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn

the support of Henry VIII had always been the basis of Wolsey’s power. He was never

popular with the nobility or with Parliament, so once he lost the favour of the King he was

badly exposed

Anne Boleyn is believed to have played a key role in undermining Henry’s faith in

Wolsey as the negotiations for the divorce went sour and the ‘Boleyn faction’ got

stronger politically.

** Note that the focus of answers should be on Wolsey’s fall in 1529. Description of the

Amicable Grant, for example, would have only limited value unless it was linked to 1529.

To reach the higher levels, answers should make links and provide differentiation or depth of

comment. Such answers might argue, for example, that, by 1529, Wolsey was nearly 60 and

had been at the apex of power for seventeen years – he could not have stayed in power

forever. He was given an impossible task in securing an annulment of the royal marriage. It

could be argued that his time and luck ran out and that there was no way round the problems he faced just before his fall.

L3: Answers will demonstrate good understanding of the demands of the question providing

relevant explanations backed by appropriately selected information, although this may

not be full or comprehensive. Answers will, for the most part, be clearly expressed and

show some organisation in the presentation of material. 7-9 L4: Answers will be well-focused, identifying a range of specific explanations, backed by

precise evidence and demonstrating good understanding of the connections and links

between events/issues. Answers will, for the most part, be well-written and organised.

10-12

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