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Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
| See also: The Tudors Cast | The Tudors Episode Guide | |
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Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex as played by James Frain
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| Born c. 1485 - Executed July 28, 1540 by Order of King Henry VIII Character's Backstory: Born in Putney, London in 1485, the son of a brewer/blacksmith who was known for illegal and drunken behavior. Over the course of several years, Thomas was a soldier in the French army in Italy, a clerk in the Netherlands, and a lawyer in London. On his return to England he worked as a lawyer before joining the service of Thomas Wolsey. In 1523, Cromwell was elected to the House of Commons; two years later he helped Wolsey dissolve some small monasteries. When Wolsey fell from grace in 1529, Cromwell was hurriedly elected burgess for Taunton so he could remain in government service. There were striking similarities between the two men - both managed to remain favorites of the mercurial Henry VIII for years; both were despised by the older nobility who coveted their influence with the king; both sought to reform the creaky medieval bureaucracy of Tudor government; both were highly intelligent and well-versed in international affairs. And both, ultimately, fell from Henry's favor with spectacular speed. In the end, the king preferred to listen to the old nobility. But Cromwell and Wolsey were also markedly different in many ways. Cromwell was the architect of the Henrician Reformation, while Wolsey fell because he served two masters--the king of England and the Pope. After the death of Jane Seymour, Cromwell arranged for Henry's marriage to Anne of Cleves, a move that joined England with the German Protestant states. The marriage was a failure, and Cromwell's enemies used Henry's displeasure with Cromwell to their advantage. Thomas Cromwell was eventually beheaded for heresy on the day that Henry married Katherine Howard. Gentility: Born a 'commoner.' Evidently a self-made lawyer. Position: Member of English Parliament, Henry VIII's chief minister, Master of the Jewel House, Earl of Essex. His career progressed as follows: 1531 - Member of the Privy Council 1532 - Master of Court of Wards and Master of Jewel House 1533 - Chancellor of the Exchequer 1534 - King's Secretary and Master of the Rolls 1535 - Vicar-General 1536 - Lord Privy Seal and Baron Cromwell of Oakham 1537 - Knight of the Garter and Dean of Wells 1539 - Lord Great Chamberlain 1540 - Created Earl of Essex (and many more titles too numerous to name) Personality Type: Ruthless and ambitious. Methodical, detached and calculating. Henry VIII called him a "good household manager" and his "most faithful servant." He was an opportunist who disliked papal authority. Signature Look: Dour and clerical. Endearing Traits: Effective and efficient in government. He was a kind master, and a staunch friend; and he possessed all the outward graces of the Renaissance period. He was not vindictive, and his atrocious acts were done in no private quarrel, but in what he conceived to be the interests of his master and the state. Where those interests were concerned he had no heart, no conscience and no religious faith; no man was more completely blighted by the 16th century worship of the state. Annoying Traits: Motivated by financial gain. Does whatever will get him ahead, no matter who he has to pull down or kill to get there.
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"Cromwell is constantly rising in power, so much that he has now more influence with his master than Cardinal [Wolsey] ever had. Nowadays, everything is done at his bidding" - Ambassador Chapuys to Charles V 1535 "Most gracious prince I cry for Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" ~ Cromwell to Henry from the Tower of London
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CHARACTER CONNECTIONSFamily Members: Father: Walter Cromwell Mother: (?) Glossop or Clossop Marriage: Elizabeth Wyckes (1489–1527) May have died from sweating sickness. Children: Gregory Cromwell, 1st Baron Cromwell. Was married to Elizabeth Seymour (Jane Seymour's sister). Elizabeth Seymour Cromwell served as a maid of honor to Anne Boleyn., then became Chief Lady in Waiting to her own sister Jane. Elizabeth Cromwell also later served as a Lady in Waiting to Katherine Parr, who married Elizabeth's brother Thomas Seymour after Henry VIII's death. Anne Cromwell. Died young, possibly from sweating sickness. Grace Cromwell: Died young, possibly from sweating sickness. HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS The Lord Protector of England, Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), was descended from Thomas Cromwell's sister, Catherine Cromwell. Making Thomas Cromwell, Oliver Cromwell's great-great uncle. | Friends: Thomas Wolsey, who (in a way) helped him gain his position as chief adviser to Henry VIII. Thomas Cranmer Thomas Wyatt Richard Rich (in the series but not in real life) Enemies: Bishop Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester William Brereton Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. Sir Thomas More Reginald Pole The Catholic Faction After his Betrayal, The Boleyns Francis Bryan Edward Seymour |
UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTER QUOTES
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DEFINING EPISODES | MEMORABLE SCENES
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PHOTOS
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 |  Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex Portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger |
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| See also: The Tudors Cast | The Tudors Episode Guide | |
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Latest page update: made by KingHenryVIII
, Feb 27 2010, 5:57 PM EST
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| Maggie-AnneB. | Cromwell's Body Dug Up And Desecrated Or Buried In A Secret Location? (page: 1 2) | 21 | Feb 2 2010, 4:17 PM EST by MsSquirrly | ||
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Thread started: Jan 30 2010, 5:51 PM EST
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"What is also interesting to note is that during that period, heads that were spiked on London Bridge were usually left there until a family member paid the crown to buy it back and lay the body to rest properly. It has been suggested that Cromwell's body was laid to rest in the Tower's chapel and discovered two years later, when it was exhumed, tied to a horse and cart, and dragged through the streets. Only history knows how true this story really is, as it has also been said that Henry VIII secured a secret spot for Cromwell's burial in the chapel--a burial site that has yet to be discovered."
-From the Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex page http://tudorswiki.sho.com/page/Thomas+Cromwell,+Earl+of+Essex There is no source for this, but I still find it really interesting and I want to know more. Has anyone read anything concerning this subject? Please do share! |
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| Reggie19 | Bank Holidays? (page: 1 2 3) | 53 | Jun 2 2009, 9:57 AM EDT by Maggie-AnneB. | ||
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Thread started: Jun 1 2009, 3:07 PM EDT
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Is this true, or did the series just inject this into Season 2, did Cromwell really try to ban Bank Holidays?
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| Maggie-AnneB. | Cromwell Signature | 2 | May 6 2009, 8:01 PM EDT by Maggie-AnneB. | ||
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Thread started: May 6 2009, 7:55 PM EDT
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I've looked for a picture of Cromwell's signature, but I can' find it anywhere. Does anyone have a picture of it? I'm just curious as to what his handwriting looked like...
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