Thomas Cromwell Biography and Timeline

Birth of Thomas Cromwell

Birth of Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex

Birth of Thomas Cromwell

Thomas Cromwell is born at Putney and later directs major administrative and religious changes as Henry VIII's principal minister.

Battle of Garigliano

A mercenary who marches with the French army to Italy, where he fights in the Battle of Garigliano

Role range: 1482-1503

Marriage

Thomas Cromwell marries Elizabeth Wyckes

Household of Wolsey

From 1516 to 1530, Cromwell is a member of the household of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey

Cromwell leads an embassy to Rome to obtain from Pope Leo X

Cromwell leads an embassy to Rome to obtain from Pope Leo X a Papal Bull of Indulgence for the town of Boston in Lincolnshire

Papal Bull

Cromwell leads an embassy to Rome to obtain from Pope Leo X a Papal Bull of Indulgence for the town of Boston in Lincolnshire

Household of Wolsey

Member of Council of the household of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey

Member of Parliament

Obtains a seat in the House of Commons

Member of Parliament

Elected Member of Parliament for Grays Inn

Member of Parliament

Elected Member of Parliament for Taunton

Secretary of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey

Appointed Secretary for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey

Privy Council

Appointed Member of Privy Council by Henry VIII

Kings Council

By the autumn of 1531, Cromwell had taken control of the supervision of the King's legal and Parliamentary affairs, working closely with Thomas Audley and had joined the inner circle of the Council

Trial

Revives the Commons anticlerical grievance procedures of 1529

Kings Council

By the autumn of 1531, Cromwell had taken control of the supervision of the King's legal and Parliamentary affairs, working closely with Thomas Audley and had joined the inner circle of the Council. Appointed Member of King's Council

Reformation Parliament

Cromwell favours the assertion of royal supremacy and manipulates the Commons by resurrecting anti-clerical grievances

Reformation Parliament

The Reformation Parliament opens

Reformation, The

Cromwell favours the assertion of royal supremacy and manipulates the Commons by resurrecting anti-clerical grievances

Reformation, The

The Reformation Parliament opens

Reformation Parliament

The Commons delivers a supplication to the King denouncing clerical abuses and the power of the ecclesiastical courts and describing Henry as "the only head, sovereign lord, protector and defender" of the Church

Reformation, The

The Commons delivers a supplication to the King denouncing clerical abuses and the power of the ecclesiastical courts and describing Henry as "the only head, sovereign lord, protector and defender" of the Church

Reform of Church Governance

Prevents the Convocation of the Clergy without the permission of the King

Reformation Parliament

Sir Thomas More resigns as Lord Chancellor, realizing that the battle to save the King's marriage to Katherine of Aragon is lost, Mores resignation from the Council represents a triumph for Cromwell and the pro-Reformation faction at court

Reformation, The

Sir Thomas More resigns as Lord Chancellor, realizing that the battle to save the King's marriage to Katherine of Aragon is lost, Mores resignation from the Council represents a triumph for Cromwell and the pro-Reformation faction at court

Chief Minister

Cromwell becomes Henry VIIIs Chief Minister in 1532, not via any formal appointment to office but by gaining the King's confidence

Constitution of England

The Act of Appeals is passed, the King is to exercise authority through Parliament

Legislation

The Act of Appeals is passed, the King must exercise authority through Parliament

Legislation

The Act of Appeals is passed, the King must exercise authority through Parliament. The Act of Appeals is passed, the King is to exercise authority through Parliament. Passes legislation which enables the break with papal authority

Reform of Parliament

The Act of Appeals is passed, the King must exercise authority through Parliament

Reformation, The

Cromwell brings before Parliament the Supplication Against the Ordinaries, which listed nine grievances against the Church, including abuses of power and Convocations independent legislative power

Role range: 1509-1547

Supplication Against the Ordinaries

Cromwell brings before Parliament the Supplication Against the Ordinaries, which listed nine grievances against the Church, including abuses of power and Convocations independent legislative power

Role range: 1509-1547

Reform of Church-State Relations

Passes legislation which enables the break with papal authority. Enables the dissolution of the monasteries & Henrys divorce from Catherine of Aragon. Enables Henry VII to proclaim himself head of the Church of England

Reformation Parliament

The Parliamentary session begins & Cromwell introduces a new bill restricting the right to make appeals to Rome

Reformation, The

The Parliamentary session begins & Cromwell introduces a new bill restricting the right to make appeals to Rome

Archbishop of Canterbury

Cranmer is consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and Convocation immediately declares the King's marriage to Katherine unlawful

Reformation Parliament

Cranmer is consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and Convocation immediately declares the King's marriage to Katherine unlawful

Reformation, The

Cranmer is consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and Convocation immediately declares the King's marriage to Katherine unlawful

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer

Act in Restraint of Appeals

Parliament passes the Act in Restraint of Appeals, ensuring that any verdict concerning the King's marriage could not be challenged in Rome