HEY, BIG PAPA! MY BOY, HENRY SAYS HE WANTS TO DIVORCE HIS WIFE. ANY CHANCE?
—Thomas Wolsey, Henry VIII (episode)
Thomas Wolsey was an English archbishop, statesman and a cardinal of the Catholic Church. When Henry VIII became King of England in 1509, Wolsey became the King's almoner.
Biography
King Henry VIII didn‘t have permission to invade France by the council so Wolsey came and created bills that denied council‘s permission, so Henry was in power.
After this, Wolsey got promoted a ton by Henry and became his new right-hand man, letting him frolic and play while he did the business. Later, when Henry wasn‘t able to get a male heir or complete the war in France, Wolsey decided that he should make an alliance with France. This somewhat cheered him up.
Eventually, when Henry wanted to divorce his first wife, Wolsey was tasked to „quietly“ ask the Pope for Henry’s divorce. However, he sent the message directly to the Papal States and since the Papal States were under Emperor Charles V control, the scandal eventually spread across Europe. Wolsey‘s decision was a grave mistake, especially since it was his job to keep Henry happy, and at the moment he was anything but happy. Later, at the divorce trial, Wolsey was present. He, however, failed to make any changes. So, Henry removed him from the court, a decision that was likely influenced by Henry‘s second wife, Anne Boleyn.
After his downfall and with charges of treason over his head, Wolsey died in 1530.
Appearances
Trivia
TBA