Rise and fall of Cardinal Wolsey

Wolsey born in early 1470s - 'common stock', father = butcher

Rose through Church, Ispwitch school, then Uni of Oxford, ordained as a Priest

1502 - Chaplain to ABC 1507 started working for HVII - Royal Chaplain

W given seat on PC under HVIII

W = only councillor allowing H to go to war, much more likely to be promoted, gave speeches in pc

1515 - W lord chancellor, replaces ABC, follows H's wishes

FP CONTEXT:

  -Europe - England = insignificant, dynasty still weak, Auld-alliance threat for English Kings, threat of invasion from both fronts

  -Europe- Habsburgs - HRE, Spain & Netherlands, amalgamated under CV (K of Spain & HRE)

  -Europe - French on rise - Italy - Wars - Cambrai & Cognac 

  -Europe - Ottoman empire ongoing concern of Pope

  -Everyone 'ganging up' on French apart from Scottish

English under HVIII invade Aquitane 

1513 - W takes over expedition to France; Battle of Spurs - Therouanne & Tournai, 30,000 English troops vs 7,000 French troops - not that significan but filleed H's ego, good for Wolsey

1514- Anglo-French treaty signed - English & French from BoS- Princess Mary marry LXII, Tournai remained English, French paid English, worked up by Wolsey-success

1518- Wolsey Papal Legate - Summit all largest powers of Europe - 20 reps - Treaty of London (e.g. HRE, French, Spain, Papal states etc.), anti-war coalition, promised non-agression, fight against Ottomans, achievement

1520 - Field of Cloth of Gold…