Thomas Cromwell

Thomas Cromwell was born in Putney, Surrey, around 1485. He was the son of a blacksmith, cloth merchant and brewer. He had a humble and troubled childhood, marked by his father's frequent fines for watering down the beer he sold. He left England around 1503 and travelled extensively in Europe, serving as a mercenary, a merchant, a banker and a lawyer. He learned several languages and gained valuable experience in diplomacy and administration. He returned to England in 1514 and entered the service of Cardinal Wolsey, the Lord Chancellor and the most powerful man in the kingdom after the king. He rose rapidly in Wolsey's household, becoming his secretary, solicitor and master of the jewels. He also became a member of parliament and a justice of the peace. He was loyal to Wolsey even after his fall from grace in 1529, when he failed to secure an annulment of King Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Cromwell then transferred his allegiance to the king and became his chief minister. He was instrumental in breaking the ties between England and Rome, making Henry the supreme head of the Church of England. He also initiated a series of reforms that aimed to modernize the church, the government and the legal system. He promoted religious tolerance, humanist education, printing and translation of the Bible. He also supervised the dissolution of the monasteries, confiscating their lands and wealth for the crown. Cromwell was rewarded with titles and honors, becoming Baron Cromwell of Okeham in 1536 and Earl of Essex in 1540. He was also appointed Lord Privy Seal, Lord Great Chamberlain, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Master of the Rolls and Vicegerent in Spirituals. He was one of the richest and most influential men in England. However, he also made many enemies with his radical policies and his lowly origins. He was especially hated by the conservative nobility and clergy, who resented his power and reforms. He also fell out of favor with the king when he arranged his marriage to Anne of Cleves, a German princess who proved to be unattractive and incompatible with Henry. The marriage was annulled after six months. Cromwell's rivals seized this opportunity to accuse him of treason and heresy. He was arrested on 10 June 1540 and imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was condemned by an act of attainder without a trial and executed by beheading on 28 July 1540. His head was displayed on a spike on London Bridge. Cromwell's legacy is controversial and debated. He has been praised as a visionary reformer, a champion of religious freedom and a founder of modern England. He has also been vilified as a ruthless tyrant, a corrupt politician and a destroyer of culture and tradition.