Cromwell

• was good at keeping emotions hidden
• was willing to make difficult decisions to please Henry
• not showy, wore plain clothes

Father was blacksmith. 1503 left London and joined army at a young age-->travelled through France, Papal States and through Holy Roman Empire (for 10 years). This meant he could speak multiple languages: French, German, Spanish and Italian

Leaves army and becomes merchant - then becomes lawyer (self-made man)

1519 - became most trusted advisor for Wolsey - joins Star Chamer & becomes Wolsey's messenger - after Wolsey died - sorted out Henry's houses and possessions and servants - Henry impressed with organisation skills

In 1530 he became Member of the Royal Council--> was small council of king's trusted advisers - gave him opportunity to influence King's most important decisions

In 1532 he became Lordship of Romney in Newport, Wales--> reward from king to Cromwell - gave social and political status - another source of income

In 1532 he became Master of King's Jewel House-->Crown jewels symbols of King's power & authority - trusting them to Cromwell shows faith in him - gave him annual payment

In 1532 he (also) became Clerk of the Hanaper--> was paid fees for sealing - using Great Seal (seals all documents king approves of) - royal documents

In 1533 he became Chancellor of the Exchequer--> was now in charge of collecting royal revenue and in charge of country's money - position of highest responsibility - 

In 1534 he became Principle Secretary--> this confirmed his position as Henry's Chief Minister

Cromwell's solution

1. Power to annul the marriage should be removed from pope and given to Henry instead

2. Parliament could be used as legal basis to transfer power to henry

3. Was important as Cromwell was directly challenging the pope and expanding role of parliament

January 1533 (while Henry's still married to Catherine) Henry gets Anne Boleyn pregnant - at end of January Archbishop of Canterbury secretly marries them

In March 1533 Act of Restraint of Appeals is passed--> states England is an 'empire' and cannot be ruled from abroad - King is Supreme Leader of everything in England (including church-means pope power is reduced in England) - so he is head of church of England and can annul marriages - all MPs had to vote whether or not law should be passed in front of Henry and law passed through parliament

In May 1533 Henry annuls own marriage - says dispensation was invalid - and that he and Catherine of Aragon should never have been married

Why he needed to get rid of her:

• Anne, like Catherine, failed to provide Henry with an male heir-first child a girl (Elizabeth)-->thought he was going to die soon-fall off horse/old-security of kingdom in danger-Pope issued papal bull-stating anyone can take over England-France&Spain threat
• she was annoying/irritating
• fell in love with Jane Seymour
• rumours of adultery with 5 men - inc. her own brother

How was Cromwell responsible for her execution?

he played significant role as:

• looked into whether Anne's former relationship with Percy could be used as evidence - secretly engaged before marriage to king
• built adultery case against Anne - personally interrogated Mark Smeaton
• investigated other suspects&collected evidence- based on rumours in court
• made sure ladies-in-waiting repeated everything she'd said

Jane Seymour was shy and quiet - motto--> "Bound to obey and serve"

She was born to Margery Wentworth & Sir John Seymour, who'd served both Henry VII & Henry VIII-->she was a descendant of King Edward III of England and was Henry VIII's fifth cousin

She was from a politically established family- when she became Queen- she enhanced status & influence - provided Henry with male heir (Edward VI) - Henry ensured Seymour family remained members of court for the rest of Henry's reign

Her eldest brother - Edward Seymour was most successful - made Earl of Hertford, 1st Duke of Somerset - became leading adviser to Henry - when Edward VI becomes king at young age (9) - Edward Seymour is lord protector

Other brother - Thomas Seymour - part of Henry's court - married Henry's sixth wife, Catherine Parr, after he dies - got executed for attempting to kill Edward - found inside Edward's house with pistol

Jane Seymour gave birth to Henry's son (Edward) on 12th October 1537