The fall of Thomas Cromwell

• Cromwell's influence was declining

  1540
• Henry's third wife, Jane Seymour, had died, after giving birth to the long awaited male heir, Prince Edward


  1537
• Cromwell's actions in 1540

  1. Tried to reconcile Henry with the League of Schmalkalden

  2. Arranged a marriage with a German protestant princess, Anne of Cleves
• Marriage with Anne of Cleves


  Was quickly annulled, destroying what remained of Cromwell's credibility with the king
• Cromwell's declining credibility


  Gave his enemies, led by the Duke of Norfolk, the chance to bring about his downfall
• Cromwell was accused of treason and heresy at a Council meeting and was executed


  28 July 1540
• Remarriage


  Henry and the Duke of Norfolk's niece Catholic Catherine Howard married on the same day (28 July 1540)