Phil Roberts - Cardinal Wolsey: For King and Country

Cardinal Wolsey

Cardinal Wolsey

For King and Country

Phil Roberts

First published in Great Britain in 2022 by

Pen & Sword History

An imprint of

Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Yorkshire Philadelphia

Copyright Phil Roberts 2022

ISBN 978 1 39908 902 9

ePUB ISBN 9 781 399 089 036

MOBI ISBN 9 781 399 089 036

The right of Phil Roberts to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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In writing this book, I have depended much on the expertise and generosity of others, especially of the broad topics covering Thomas Wolseys life and experiences featured in this book. It has been a hard journey of six years in researching Thomas Wolsey particularly during the Covid pandemic which has been very restrictive. I earnestly would like to thank: Dr Glenn Richardson, Professor of Early Modern History at St Marys University in Twickenham, London; Rev. Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch; Dr Nicholas Amor, ex-chairman of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History; Dr David Starkey; Dr Catherine Fletcher; Dr Jonathan Foyle; Dr Kent Rawlinson, Curator of Historic Buildings at Hampton Court Palace; Dr Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces at Hampton Court Palace; many staff members at Hampton Court Palace, Hever Castle and Ipswich Museums whose names I did not get the chance to learn, but who have helped me enormously. Thank you to you all. Celia Bush, Member of the Guild of Our Lady of Grace Ipswich, and visitor of Nettuno, Italy; Father John Thackray, Parish Priest at St Mary at the Elms, Ipswich; Sarah Morris, Owner of The Tudor Travel Guide; Claire Ridgway, The Anne Boleyn Files; and Borin van Loon, Ipswich-Lettering website. There are countless of online facilities which have been very useful such as British History Online, The National Archives, the Rolls at the British Parliament, Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History, Suffolk Archives, a large number of Tudor themed social media groups, various e-books and audible books.

I have also relied on the scholarship of numerous other Tudor historians, too many to name (although I have recommended a good number in the list in my Bibliography. I also would like to acknowledge my debt to the authors of the guidebooks and booklets of historic sites and organisations mentioned (even if one or two proved occasionally erroneous!). This book is intended for academics and non-specialists alike. Those familiar with the field will spot my influences. Any errors are mine alone.

I am grateful too, for the support of my alumni friends at Southampton University for their input, wisdom and forbearance. Thank you also to my colleagues at the Mary Rose Trust for sharing your knowledge.

I would also like to thank Claire Hopkins, Commissioning Editor (History) at Pen and Sword Books Ltd, editors and everyone at Pen and Sword Books for all their hard work. I am also immensely grateful to Sarah-Beth Watkins for putting me in touch with Pen and Sword Books in the first place.

Finally, and above all, my very great thanks go to my parents, to my partner, Hind, my children, Joseph (who helped me to gain more knowledge and tips on the use of my computer) and Susanna, my future stepsons, Yousif and Melad, and not forgetting the congregation of St Mary at the Elms for their continuing and wonderful support. Thank you to you all.

Phil Roberts

Ipswich, August 2021

Catherine of Aragon Married King Henry VIII in 1509. Divorced in 1533 mainly due to conceiving no male heir.

Charles V of Spain, Holy Roman Emperor 15191556.

Elizabeth Woodville Wife and queen to King Edward IV. Her father, Richard Woodville was beheaded on 12 August 1469 at Pontefract Castle during the Wars of the Roses.

Ferdinand of Aragon Father of Catherine of Aragon.

Isabella of Castille Mother of Catherine of Aragon.

King Francis I of France King of France. At Field of Cloth of Gold and enemy of Henry VIII.

King Henry VII Father to Prince Arthur, Henry VIII, Mary and Margaret.

King Henry VIII Tyrannical king of England 15091548. Also married Catherine of Aragon.

King James IV Scottish king who lost to English army at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513.

King Louis XII of France Married Mary Tudor, Henry VIIIs sister.

Louise de Savoi Mother of King Francis I.

Margaret Beaufort Mother of King Henry VII, Henry Tudor.

Margaret of Austria was a possible suitor arranged by Henry VII.

Maximilian I of Spain Holy Roman Emperor 15081519.

Prince Arthur Heir to the English crown but died in 1502. Married Catherine of Aragon.

Sultan Mehmed II Conqueror of Constantinople.

Sultan Selim I Leader of the Ottoman Empire who threatened Christian Spain.

* * *

Doctor Agostino Agostini Physician to Cardinal Wolsey and King Henry VIII.

Thomas Aldred Thomas Rushs stepson and servant/friend of Wolsey.

John Allen Cromwells colleague under Wolsey.

Cardinal Georges Amboise French cardinal who had an illegitimate child.

William Barton Augustinian Abbot of Osney who lost his job to John Burton.

Cardinal Christopher Bainbridge Wolseys predecessor as Archbishop of York who lived, and was murdered in Rome.

Cardinal David Beaton Scottish cardinal who had eight illegitimate children.

Thomas Becket, Saint Archbishop of Canterbury, murdered in 1170.

Cardinal Henry Beaufort fathered an illegitimate child.

Jean du Bellay a French diplomat and cardinal.

Prgent de Bidoux French admiral involved in battle with English near Brest, 1513.

Thomas Bilney An English Lutheran.

Thomas Boleyn Viscount Rochford, father of Henry VIIIs second wife, Anne Boleyn.

Anne Boleyn Daughter of Thomas Boleyn and second wife to King Henry VIII.

Mary Boleyn Mistress to King Henry VIII. Wife of William Carey.