Follow Thomas Cromwell through 175 dated historical records for England.
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
When Parliament reconvenes Cromwell introduces the most significant revision of the treason laws since 1352, making it treasonous to speak rebellious words against the Royal Family, to deny their titles or to call the King a heretic, tyrant, infidel or usurper. The Act of Supremacy clarifies the King's position as head of the Church and the Act for Payment of First Fruits and Tenths substantially increases clerical taxes
Cromwell initiated a Visitation of the Monasteries ostensibly to examine their character, but in fact, to value their assets with a view to expropriation. The Crown was undergoing financial difficulties, and the wealth of the church, in contrast to its political weakness, made appropriation of church property both tempting and feasible
Cromwell initiated a Visitation of the Monasteries ostensibly to examine their character, but in fact, to value their assets with a view to expropriation. The Crown was undergoing financial difficulties, and the wealth of the church, in contrast to its political weakness, made appropriation of church property both tempting and feasible
Cromwell directs a nationwide valuation of ecclesiastical wealth that supplies the Crown with detailed information about clerical and monastic revenues.
Role range: 1535-1540
The Treason Act comes into force
The Treason Act comes into force
The Treason Act comes into force
Orders the imprisonment of the Clergy preaching Papal supremacy
Cromwell had undertaken an inventory of the assets and income of the entire ecclesiastical estate of England and Wales through local commissioners who reported in May 1535
Role range: 1509-1547
Royal visitors begin inspecting monasteries, gathering evidence about finances, discipline and religious life before parliamentary dissolution measures.
Role range: 1535-1540
The King appoints Cromwell Royal Vicegerent and Vicar General, and commissions him to organize visitations of all the countrys churches, monasteries and clergy
The King appoints Cromwell Royal Vicegerent and Vicar General, and commissions him to organize visitations of all the countrys churches, monasteries and clergy
The King appoints Cromwell Royal Vicegerent and Vicar General, and commissions him to organize visitations of all the countrys churches, monasteries and clergy
The King appoints Cromwell Royal Vicegerent and Vicar General, and commissions him to organize visitations of all the countrys churches, monasteries and clergy
Cromwell conducts a census in 1535 to enable the Government to tax church property more effectively
The King appoints Cromwell Royal Vicegerent and Vicar General, and commissions him to organize visitations of all the countrys churches, monasteries and clergy
Organizes a census to assess the wealth of the Church for dissolution & taxation
Organizes a census to assess the wealth of the Church for dissolution & taxation
The valor ecclesiasticus book is drawn up by Cromwell containing wealth of the Church
Writes to JPs, bishops & nobility to imprison clergy who preach papal authority
Cranmer had difficult encounters with several bishops including John Stokesley, John Longland, and Stephen Gardiner who object to Cranmers power and title and argue that the Act of Supremacy did not define his role thus prompting Thomas Cromwell,
Cromwell creates another set of institutions that gives a clear structure to the royal supremacy, the Archbishop of Canterbury is eclipsed by Vice Regent Cromwell in regards to the King's spiritual jurisdiction.
the King's Chief Minister, to activate and to take the office of the Vice Regent, the deputy supreme head of ecclesiastical affair
Cromwell creates another set of institutions that gives a clear structure to the royal supremacy, the Archbishop of Canterbury is eclipsed by Vice Regent Cromwell in regards to the King's spiritual jurisdiction
Cromwell's commissioners question monks and nuns about observance, property and conduct, increasing direct Crown supervision of religious houses.
Role range: 1535-1540
Opening of the final session of the Reformation Parliament
Opening of the final session of the Reformation Parliament
The Act for the Suppression of the Lesser Monasteries, those with a gross income of less than 200 pounds per annum, had passed both houses. This caused a clash with Anne Boleyn, formerly one of Cromwell's strongest allies, who wanted the proceeds of the dissolution used for educational and charitable purposes, not paid into the King's coffers
The Act for the Suppression of the Lesser Monasteries, those with a gross income of less than 200 pounds per annum, had passed both houses. This caused a clash with Anne Boleyn, formerly one of Cromwell's strongest allies, who wanted the proceeds of the dissolution used for educational and charitable purposes, not paid into the King's coffers
The Act for the Suppression of the Lesser Monasteries, those with a gross income of less than 200 pounds per annum, had passed both houses. This caused a clash with Anne Boleyn, formerly one of Cromwell's strongest allies, who wanted the proceeds of the dissolution used for educational and charitable purposes, not paid into the King's coffers
The Act for the Suppression of the Lesser Monasteries, those with a gross income of less than pounds 200 per annum, passes both houses. This caused a clash with Anne Boleyn, formerly one of Cromwell's strongest allies, who wanted the proceeds of the dissolution used for educational and charitable purposes, not paid into the King's coffers
The Act for the Suppression of the Lesser Monasteries, those with a gross income of less than 200 pounds per annum, had passed both houses. This caused a clash with Anne Boleyn, formerly one of Cromwell's strongest allies, who wanted the proceeds of the dissolution used for educational and charitable purposes, not paid into the King's coffers
Accused by Cromwell of adultery with 5 lovers including her brother Lord Rochford
Accused by Cromwell of adultery with 5 lovers including her brother Lord Rochford
A new Parliament passed the second Act of Succession, securing the rights of Queen Janes heirs to the throne
A new Parliament passed the second Act of Succession, securing the rights of Queen Janes heirs to the throne
A new Parliament passed the second Act of Succession, securing the rights of Queen Janes heirs to the throne
Appointed Lord Privy Seal
Role range: 1536-1540
Cromwells position is now stronger than ever, succeeds Anne Boleyns father, Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, as Lord Privy Seal
Raised to the peerage as Baron Cromwell of Wimbledon
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.