Fall of Wolsey

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Fall of Wolsey

Wolsey's downfall was driven by the failure of the Amicable Grant and his failure to solve the Great Matter.

Wolsey's downfall

Wolsey’s failure to get the annulment by 1529 led to Henry exiling him to York, removing all of his powers and possessions.
In November 1530, Wolsey was summoned to stand trial in London for praemunire (treason by the clergy for being loyal to the Pope, not the king) but he died on the journey south.

Key reasons for Wolsey's downfall

His failure to gain the annulment.
His failure with the Amicable Grant.
His failure in foreign policy against Charles V.
The influence of the Boleyn family.

Influence of the Boleyn family

The Boleyn family (Anne, her father Thomas and brother George) claimed that Wolsey was deliberately sabotaging the annulment proceedings as he secretly favoured Catherine.
Other nobles who felt Wolsey had treated them unfairly, for example in the Eltham Ordinances, sided with the Boleyns to persuade Henry to remove Wolsey from power.

1Henry VIII & Wolsey, 1509-1529

1.1Henry VIII & Wolsey, 1509-1529

1.1.1Henry VIII, Renaissance Prince

1.1.2The Rise of Wolsey

1.1.3Wolsey's Domestic Reforms

1.1.4Wolsey's Foreign Policy

1.1.5Evaluating Wolsey's Foreign Policy

1.1.6The Succession & Annulment

1.1.7Fall of Wolsey

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Wolsey

1.1.9End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Wolsey 2

2Henry VIII & Cromwell, 1529-1540

2.1Henry VIII & Cromwell, 1529-1540

2.1.1The Rise of Cromwell

2.1.2The King's Annulment

2.1.3Cromwell & the King's Marriages

2.1.4Cromwell & Government

2.1.5Cromwell & Parliament

2.1.6Fall of Cromwell

2.1.7End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Cromewell

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Cromwell 2

3The Reformation & its Impact, 1529-1540

3.1The Reformation & its Impact, 1529-1540

3.1.1The Break with Rome

3.1.2Opposition to the Reformation

3.1.3Impact of the Reformation

3.1.4Role of Religious Houses

3.1.5Dissolution of the Monasteries

3.1.6Impact of Dissolution

3.1.7The Pilgrimage of Grace

3.1.8Evaluating the Pilgrimage of Grace

3.1.9End of Topic Test - The Reformation

3.1.10End of Topic Test - The Reformation 2

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