Discussion: Question on Wolsey

"His failure to obtain the divorce in the spring of 1529 just made Henry frustrated and displeased with him . However, it wasn't until late august with the Cardinal's mishandling of the Treaty of Cambrai that he became completely deprived of the King's favour making him "naked to his enemies". This meant that those who were anti-Wolsey and there were many, people like Lord Darcy, the Duke of Norfolk, Brandon, Bryan and more importantly the Boleyns could move against him. Anne Boleyn was a vital factor in his downfall and one that he miscalculated. So I believe it was factional maneuvering combined with his failures in the great matter and diplomacy that were ultimately responsible.

This would be the same thing that brought down Anne herself, her failure to produce an heir and Henry tiring of her combined with the Catholic faction and Cromwell switching factions to bring a case against her. It would also be what caused Cromwell's fall but this time it was the same Catholic faction he had joined to bring down Anne that moved against him. The political dynamics of Henry VIII's court were constantly in flux depending on both the King's mood and the power struggle of the factions. The collateral damage were the people who lost their heads during these times."