The most important reason for Wolseys fall from power was his failure to obtain a divorce for Henry VIII- How far do you agree with this statement?

reason for his downfall. Wolsey himself could easily influence Henry to get rid of his enemies in addition to acquiring more power, therefore the fact that the King was easily influenced also suggests a reason as to why Wolsey fell from power. In addition to this, Henry had a constant ambition to being a popular figure, which Wolsey may have damaged. This is evident within the English public too, who often had problems with Wolsey because of matters like the unpopular subsidies or his abuse of position in the church. Henry’s constant need to be popular meant that Wolsey had to be careful e.g. when Henry had to step in and remove the subsidies because they was widespread discontent. So because Wolsey showed lack of care for Henry’s popularity, Henry may have removed Wolsey for issues regarding popularity. Wealth could have also played into this because of the fact that both men were hungry for expense. Wolsey’s wealth and ostentatious being could have contributed because he was resented because of his greed and made him unpopular. All of this proved that Wolsey was severely unpopular, and in ways affected Henry. However, despite all these things Wolsey remained in power which suggests that these were not concluding factors. Wolsey was able to continue his role as Cardinal because of the successes he brought to Henry VIII. Wolsey’s foreign successes such as the Field of the Cloth of Gold (1520) and the Treaty of London (1518), in addition to the many wars with France and Scotland helped him remain in power as it brought the King what he had wanted. Wolsey’s naturally intelligent nature supplied him with the managing of getting Henry popularity from abroad as the Field of the Cloth of Gold and Treaty of London both show. The Field of the Cloth of Gold gave Henry the chance to show his wealth whereas Wolsey’s decisive thinking in the treaty of London gave Henry international popularity; it was even described as a ’glittering success’ by Susan Doran. The wars helped Henry establish England as a worthy foreign power which again was one of his aims. Due to these many successes, Henry believed he could entrust Wolsey, which is the reason as to why he did not listen to enemies of  the Cardinal, in addition to the fact that Wolsey, on the whole, was delivering to Henry what he wanted. However, during the later years of the Cardinal’s position, Wolsey had more trouble in meeting the King’s ever expanding requirements. This included the Amicable Grant of 1525. The Amicable Grant was an attempt by Wolsey to pose a new property tax to fund Henry’s expedition to France but it was highly unpopular. Once again this affected Henry, who wanted to remain popular among the public as well as gain money for war. Due to Wolsey’s failed plan, Henry could not acquire either. The Amicable Grant managed to prove that Wolsey could not always keep with Henry’s demands and when he didn’t his role began to be questioned. In this period of time (Wolsey’s later years) the King became intrigued by Anne Boleyn and started to distrust Wolsey. This was because the King wanted to divorce the current queen at the time - Catherine of Aragon - and marry Anne Boleyn. The King’s divorce was dealt with by Wolsey, yet because he could not grant this he was almost immediately removed from power. As Wolsey was unable to grant a divorce, he was not only depriving the King of a new wife whom he held feelings for, but also of a possible male heir which was one of the King’s main priorities during his reign.  Therefore, this impacted Henry because he wanted a male heir and as we see throughout his existence, he will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Henry also deeply believed that God wanted him to bear a male heir, as Kings were thought to be descendents of Gods. So by Wolsey not being able to get his divorce, Henry believed that Wolsey was disobeying God, reeking Wolsey’s religious prospects into question for Henry; a deeply religious King. In addition to the marriage, factions at court related to this. Due to the Boleyn faction at court, Wolsey had major opposition, and because of Henry’s infatuation with Anne Boleyn, the faction (including Duke of Norfolk) had the upper hand over Wolsey, thus providing a contributing reason for his downfall.To conclude, Ultimately the King’s great matter of 1527 onwards was the most important reason for Wolsey’s downfall because it was the most important matter that related to the King regarding his personal needs; a wife and a male heir he so desperately desired. Despite this being the main reason, it is true that his unpopularity was a factor that contributed. His many enemies at court provided reasons for Henry to remove him but he didn’t because Wolsey was able to do what Henry asked. However, when he failed, Henry took into consideration these enemies, especially the Duke of Norfolk because of his family ties with Anne Boleyn.  Therefore Wolsey’s ultimate downfall was the failure of the divorce but his unpopularity and minor failures such as the subsidies were contributing factors.