Thomas Wolsey

English political figure, archbishop of York and cardinal-priest of Santa Cecilia (1473-1530)

Thomas Wolsey (born between 1471 and 1476 at Ipswich, Suffolk; died 29 November 1530) was an English statesman and archbishop. He was made a cardinal in 1515. Of humble origin, Thomas Wolsey became the principal figure in affairs of state for many years during the reign of King Henry VIII of England before falling into disgrace.


Thomas Wolsey
Portrait of Cardinal Wolsey at Trinity College, University of Cambridge (c. 1585–1596)
Lord High Chancellor of England
In office
1515–1529
Preceded byWilliam Warham
Succeeded bySir Thomas More
Cardinal, Archbishop of York,
Primate of England
Appointed15 September 1514
Term ended29 November 1530
PredecessorChristopher Bainbridge
SuccessorEdward Lee
Other postsCardinal-Priest of S. Cecilia (1515–1530)
Orders
Ordination10 March 1498
by Augustine Church, Titular Bishop of Lydda
Consecration26 March 1514
by William Warham
Created cardinal10 September 1515
by Leo X
Personal details
BornMarch 1473
Ipswich, Suffolk, England
Died(1530-11-29)29 November 1530 (aged 57)
Leicester, Leicestershire, England
BuriedLeicester Abbey
NationalityEnglish
DenominationRoman Catholicism
ParentsRobert Wolsey (father) and Joan Daundy (mother)
Previous post
Alma materMagdalen College, Oxford
Coat of armsThomas Wolsey's coat of arms
Arms of Thomas Wolsey

Cardinal Wolsey chiefly developed his talents in managing the foreign policy of the kingdom on behalf of Henry VIII. In spite of the many enemies who envied his ambition, he was able to acquire the confidence of the king until the latter decided to have his marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled in order to marry Anne Boleyn.

Chronology

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  • Between 1471 and 1476: born at Ipswich.
  • 10 March 1498: ordained priest.
  • 1509: Dean of Lincoln; made royal almoner and member of the Council.
  • 1514: Took Thomas More into his service to look after his revenue.
  • 1515: Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor of England.
  • 1516: Obtained from Leo X the title of cardinal-legate. He proceeded to take the possessions of thirty monasteries and put himself forward as a candidate to become Pope.
  • 1518: Bishop of Bath and Wells (while still Archbishop of York)
  • 1522: Resigned Bishopric of Bath and Wells
  • 1525: Founded Cardinal College at Oxford (afterwards Christ Church), one of the largest and richest colleges of the University of Oxford.
  • 1529: The varying attitudes of Wolsey, wishing to keep the Pope happy, had the effect of destroying his credit with the king. In the autumn, impelled by Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII brought charges against Thomas Wolsey. He was dismissed from his office of Lord Chancellor and deprived of his properties, including the palace of Whitehall, where Henry decided go and live, instead of Westminster Palace.
  • 29 November 1530: He died of exhaustion at Leicester while being transferred to the Tower of London.

References

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  1. Peter Gwyn, The King's Cardinal, p. 33

Other websites

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