Thomas Cromwell: The Rise And Fall Of Henry VIII's Most Notorious Minister by Robert Hutchinson Page A
Authors: Robert Hutchinson
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actions were directed at safeguarding the Tudor dynasty. He would have heard his brutish father talk of the mayhem of the Wars of the Roses more than five decades before. Cromwell was determined that his England would never be torn apart by internecine rivalry between aristocratic power bases; he thus ensured that the nobility’s loyalty was purchased by the redistribution of monastic property. The proceeds of that privatisation also spread to a new class of emerging gentry, who became stakeholders in the peace and tranquillity of a prosperous England.
Cromwell may appear authoritarian, cruel and malevolent to our modern eyes, with a cynical contempt for Parliament and justice, but his actions were always motivated by what he perceived to be the best interests of his royal master and his realm. Naturally, Cromwell’s own best interests also lay in keeping the despotic Henry happy, with thebenefits of ever-increasing power and the opportunity for enrichment. He was single-minded in pursuit of his policy objectives and there was no room in his heart for compassion or the quiet, still voice of conscience. No doubt Thomas Cromwell would have felt comfortable in the government of a twentieth-century totalitarian state. Many who governed those states could plead similar motivations to Cromwell’s in seeking to justify their actions. In his case, he could not have sought to hide behind appeals that he was ‘only following orders’. Within the limits on his authority always imposed by Henry, he was the one issuing the orders.
He enjoyed (almost) absolute power, and in fulfilment of the old dictum, he was certainly corrupt. His apologists point to the widespread practice of bribery in Tudor times, but Cromwell went far beyond that. His greed and avarice knew few bounds, except stealing from his King. His wealth and property at the end of his life surpassed that of all except the King himself and the ‘old money’ of the Duke of Norfolk. That eventually spelt his ruin and he became a victim of those nobles consumed with envy and hatred for a self-made man doing far better than them.
Surprisingly, Cromwell’s downfall did not damage his family, perhaps in return for his meek acceptance of his guilt or even some faint, lingering gratitude deep in the King’s black heart for a loyal servant’s services through thick and thin.
Five months after his father’s death, Gregory was ennobled himself, becoming Baron Cromwell on 18 December 1540, and in the following year was granted the house and site of the abbey at Launde in Leicestershire, together with some of his father’s lands. There were other grants of property before Henry died in January 1547 and at the coronation of his son, Edward VI, Gregory was one of the forty who were knighted in celebration of the event.
Gregory’s wife Elizabeth wrote obsequiously to Henry thanking him for his ‘pity and gracious goodness’ after the execution of her father-in-law as a traitor.
Whereas it has pleased [your majesty] of your mercy and infinite goodness, notwithstanding the heinous trespasses and most grievous offences of myfather-in-law, yet graciously to extend your benign pity towards my poor husband and me, as the extreme indigence and poverty wherewith my father-in-law’s most detestable offences had oppressed us, is thereby much helped and relieved.
I have of long time been right desirous … to render most humble thanks, as also to desire continuance of … your highness’ most benign goodness.
Most humbly beseeching your majesty, mercifully to accept this my most obedient suit and to extend your accustomed pity and gracious goodness towards my poor husband and me who never have, nor God willing never shall, offend your majesty, but continually pray for the prosperous estate of the same long time to remain and continue.
YOUR MOST BOND WOMAN
ELIZABETH CROMWELL
Gregory was a Member of Parliament for the last decade of his life with an undistinguished performance. He
Cromwell may appear authoritarian, cruel and malevolent to our modern eyes, with a cynical contempt for Parliament and justice, but his actions were always motivated by what he perceived to be the best interests of his royal master and his realm. Naturally, Cromwell’s own best interests also lay in keeping the despotic Henry happy, with thebenefits of ever-increasing power and the opportunity for enrichment. He was single-minded in pursuit of his policy objectives and there was no room in his heart for compassion or the quiet, still voice of conscience. No doubt Thomas Cromwell would have felt comfortable in the government of a twentieth-century totalitarian state. Many who governed those states could plead similar motivations to Cromwell’s in seeking to justify their actions. In his case, he could not have sought to hide behind appeals that he was ‘only following orders’. Within the limits on his authority always imposed by Henry, he was the one issuing the orders.
He enjoyed (almost) absolute power, and in fulfilment of the old dictum, he was certainly corrupt. His apologists point to the widespread practice of bribery in Tudor times, but Cromwell went far beyond that. His greed and avarice knew few bounds, except stealing from his King. His wealth and property at the end of his life surpassed that of all except the King himself and the ‘old money’ of the Duke of Norfolk. That eventually spelt his ruin and he became a victim of those nobles consumed with envy and hatred for a self-made man doing far better than them.
Surprisingly, Cromwell’s downfall did not damage his family, perhaps in return for his meek acceptance of his guilt or even some faint, lingering gratitude deep in the King’s black heart for a loyal servant’s services through thick and thin.
Five months after his father’s death, Gregory was ennobled himself, becoming Baron Cromwell on 18 December 1540, and in the following year was granted the house and site of the abbey at Launde in Leicestershire, together with some of his father’s lands. There were other grants of property before Henry died in January 1547 and at the coronation of his son, Edward VI, Gregory was one of the forty who were knighted in celebration of the event.
Gregory’s wife Elizabeth wrote obsequiously to Henry thanking him for his ‘pity and gracious goodness’ after the execution of her father-in-law as a traitor.
Whereas it has pleased [your majesty] of your mercy and infinite goodness, notwithstanding the heinous trespasses and most grievous offences of myfather-in-law, yet graciously to extend your benign pity towards my poor husband and me, as the extreme indigence and poverty wherewith my father-in-law’s most detestable offences had oppressed us, is thereby much helped and relieved.
I have of long time been right desirous … to render most humble thanks, as also to desire continuance of … your highness’ most benign goodness.
Most humbly beseeching your majesty, mercifully to accept this my most obedient suit and to extend your accustomed pity and gracious goodness towards my poor husband and me who never have, nor God willing never shall, offend your majesty, but continually pray for the prosperous estate of the same long time to remain and continue.
YOUR MOST BOND WOMAN
ELIZABETH CROMWELL
Gregory was a Member of Parliament for the last decade of his life with an undistinguished performance. He
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