Monarchy and the government 1509-88
How accurate is it to say that Thomas Cromwell was the most influential minister in the period
1529-88?
To a large extent it is accurate to say that Thomas Cromwell was the most influential minister in the
periods 1529-88. This is due to the fact that he influenced religion, foreign policy and government.
Despite Cecil influencing religion significantly under the reign of Elizabeth I and Wolsey making
remarkable changes to foreign affairs, they both did not notably impact all three factors and
therefore it is clear that Cromwell is the most influential minister of the period.
Religion
Cromwell:
➔ Changed the religious landscapes in England by laying the foundations of the CofE
➔ Given chief responsibility in solving the ‘Great Matter’
➔ Devised the act of supremacy in 1534
➔ Dissolution of the monasteries in 1536
➔ TURNING POINT (for religious change) Made kings vicegerent and with Crammer
enforced that every parish should have a bible written in english (previously Henry
had executed the man who suggested this) - shows his influence/close relationship
with the King
Cecil: (Elizabeth’s secretary of state)
- Made Lord Burghley in 1571
- Restored the Act of Supremacy in 1558
- Supported protestant causes in Europe (helps foreign policy)
- Without Cromwell’s breakthrough Burghley would not have made such a notable impact
Foreign policy
Cecil:
➔ Executor of foreign affairs from 1558-72
➔ England supported the dutch in their revolt against RC Spain by importing troops and
supplies
➔ Treaty of Nonsuch - pledged financial and military support for the Dutch rebels
against Philip II
Wolsey: (lord chancellor 1515-30)
➔ The Field of Cloth and Gold when Henry and Francis I met in Calais in 1520 to
confirm their allyship
➔ 1518 Treaty of London, allyship between the major European nations
➔ England and France went to war in 1520
Cromwell:
➔ Aimed to make England an independent nation state, to do this it was necessary that
Henry did not pursue any invasion
➔ Kept Henry out of war
Government:
How accurate is it to say that Thomas Cromwell was the most influential minister in the period
1529-88?
To a large extent it is accurate to say that Thomas Cromwell was the most influential minister in the
periods 1529-88. This is due to the fact that he influenced religion, foreign policy and government.
Despite Cecil influencing religion significantly under the reign of Elizabeth I and Wolsey making
remarkable changes to foreign affairs, they both did not notably impact all three factors and
therefore it is clear that Cromwell is the most influential minister of the period.
Religion
Cromwell:
➔ Changed the religious landscapes in England by laying the foundations of the CofE
➔ Given chief responsibility in solving the ‘Great Matter’
➔ Devised the act of supremacy in 1534
➔ Dissolution of the monasteries in 1536
➔ TURNING POINT (for religious change) Made kings vicegerent and with Crammer
enforced that every parish should have a bible written in english (previously Henry
had executed the man who suggested this) - shows his influence/close relationship
with the King
Cecil: (Elizabeth’s secretary of state)
- Made Lord Burghley in 1571
- Restored the Act of Supremacy in 1558
- Supported protestant causes in Europe (helps foreign policy)
- Without Cromwell’s breakthrough Burghley would not have made such a notable impact
Foreign policy
Cecil:
➔ Executor of foreign affairs from 1558-72
➔ England supported the dutch in their revolt against RC Spain by importing troops and
supplies
➔ Treaty of Nonsuch - pledged financial and military support for the Dutch rebels
against Philip II
Wolsey: (lord chancellor 1515-30)
➔ The Field of Cloth and Gold when Henry and Francis I met in Calais in 1520 to
confirm their allyship
➔ 1518 Treaty of London, allyship between the major European nations
➔ England and France went to war in 1520
Cromwell:
➔ Aimed to make England an independent nation state, to do this it was necessary that
Henry did not pursue any invasion
➔ Kept Henry out of war
Government:
