rise and fall of Cromwell

• Cromwell promised to make Henry 'the richest man in Christendom' but only materialised in dissolution of monastries 1539
• Cromwell had risen from a humble background; he secured the royal supremacy and dissolution of the monasteries
• Geoffrey Elton said in the 1930s witnessed a 'Tudor revolution in government'
• One of the charges against Cromwell was Heresy: he was plotting to introduce a fully protestant church to England. Which would have worried Henry.
• France and the Habsburg had made peace excluding England, fears of catholic crusade after Henry excommunicated in 1538. Cromwell persuaded Henry to make ally with German princess.
• The German princess being Anne of Cleves: marriage disaster and Henry found her unattractive. Marriage unnecessary as France and Habsburg soon at war.
• Marriage did not ruin Cromwell as given title Earl of Essex
• Catholic faction, led by Stephen Gardiner and Duke of Norfolk enticed Henry to marry Catherine Howard. Attractive and innocent 19 year old. Catholic faction able to persuade Henry to executed Cromwell. Henry soon realised he had been tricked and ruled by himself.