Do you agree with the view that the main reason for Wolseys fall from power was his failure to secure an annulment of the Kings marriage to Catherine of Aragon?
by
robgal14 (student)
Do you agree with the view that the main reason for Wolsey’s fall from power was his failure to secure an annulment of the King’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon?
After taking up many positions and working endless hours Wolsey made himself a very recognisable character in the monarchy. He was Henry’s servant and his aim above anything else was to fulfil his wishes. For the most part Wolsey managed to achieve this but came to some difficultly when Henry wanted an annulment so he could marry Anne Boleyn. Predictably he tried to the best of his efforts to do this but ended unsuccessful. Loades believes this is the reason he fell from power while other historians such as Lotherington believe other factors were to blame such as factional intrigues and the Amicable Grant.
Loades tells us that even though the King’s confidence in Wolsey became increasingly uncertain “he fell from power because of his failure to secure an annulment”. After Catherine had failed to produce a son Henry believed that the solution was a new wife, Anne Boleyn. However the only way he could marry her was if permission was granted from the Pope. This became Wolsey’s top priority but after years of effort the Pope did not allow the annulment. This angered Henry and Wolsey seemed like a perfect scapegoat despite the fault being Henry’s as it was very unrealistic to think an annulment would happen. Loades also states “Amicable Grant… weakened the King’s trust in him”. This is evidence of how Wolsey failed in other things; the grant was a tax invented by Wolsey which simply caused more problems than it solved. As Henry began to lose faith in Wolsey his failure to solve the Great Matter may have been the final straw and so caused his fall. Alternatively the annulment may have been a test by Henry to see if Wolsey had in fact lost his touch. In either case it is made clear that other factors were to blame and it was not the annulment alone. Nevertheless Loades still backs up his few by making it clear the annulment, among other factors, was the main reason Wolsey fell from power. In this case Henry acted atypical in that before he would agree with Wolsey no matter how irrational his aims seemed, whereas when his marriage was involved he took charge. This can be linked back to the fact Henry was beginning to lose faith in Wolsey and he no longer needed him. Overall the source is reliable as it uses historical facts and evidence to reach a conclusion. However the providence, written half a century after the events took place, means that it is not useful alone in portraying the view that the main reason Wolsey fell from power was his failure to annul Henry’ marriage.
