How far do the sources agree Wolsey was disliked because he acted like an Alter Rex

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Sources 1 & 2 agree to a certain extent that Wolsey was disliked because he acted like an Alter Rex yet Source 2 agrees with Source 3 in illustrating Wolsey as a well-loved figure in the community. Each source contradicts one another but Wolsey was certainly disliked to a certain extent yet Source 3 would disagree.

Source 1, by Polydore Virgil, states that Wolsey was disliked and ‘detested’ by everyone in the country during his time. From this it is easy to gather an image of the extent of the hatred focused towards Wolsey. The source then goes on to say ‘his arrogance and ambition aroused against himself the hatred of the whole country’. Firstly this shows that Wolsey intended to propel himself into the highest and most powerful positions in the country, this is an attribute of a monarch demonstrating Alter Rex like qualities. Secondly this shows that his ambition brought about the countries hatred for himself as his power increased so too did his arrogance. ‘Indeed detested by everyone because he assumed that he could undertake nearly all office if state by himself’ this line sums up the answer to the question. It’s shown that he is trying to assume every role effectively making him King acting completely like an Alter Rex. However Polydore Vergil had a heavy grudge against Wolsey so the sources reliability is limited. However the source agrees with Source 2, by Edward Hall where he says ‘to be installed or enthroned at York... & caused a throne to be erected in Cathedral Church of such height and design as was never seen before...’ This shows that not only was he being an Alter Rex in the sense that he’s erecting a throne but it undermines the Kings power showing a desire to rise in power to be level or above that of Henry VIII . This displeased Henry ‘he sent letters...to arrest the cardinal.’ This shows even the King disapproves of his Alter Rex like qualities. This source was written by the contemporary Edward Hall making it safe to assume it’s a reliable source and thus can be used to prove Source 1 has some truth despite the bias of Polydore Vergil and both sources strongly agree that Wolsey was disliked not just by the people but by the king for his Alter Rex like actions however source 1 must be taken with a grain of salt due to the grudge Polydore Vergil held against Wolsey who had him imprisoned leading to Vergil having a deep seated hatred for Wolsey leading him to be prone to exaggeration.

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However Souce 3 is written by George Cavendish in which he claims that Wolsey was only acting like an Alter Rex to ‘disburden the king’. This is contradictory to Source 1 where his Alter Rex like actions were done out of ‘ambition’ but instead states that Wolsey was held and only held the kings best interests at heart. It also shows he wouldn’t have been seen as an Alter Rex as he had ‘The King’ authority and commandment’ showing he was not abusing his power but in fact sanctioned by the King himself. To follow the source goes on to ...

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