In Memory of Thomas Cromwell

'Good people, I come here to die
and not to purge myself as some
may think I should. I am by
law condemned to die and I thank
my Lord God that has granted
me this death for my offense, for
since I came of age I have lived
as a sinner, and offended my Lord
God for which I ask Him
heartily for forgiveness. I have also
offended my prince, for which I ask
him hearty amnesty. I heartily
desire you to pray for the King's
Grace, and that he may long live
with you in health and prosperity,
and that after him his son Prince Edward may long reign over you.

Gentlemen, you should all take warning from me, who was as you know from a poor man made by the Prince into a great gentleman, and that I, not contented with that, not with having the kingdom at my orders, presumed to a still higher state.

My pride has brought its punishment.'

James Frain as Thomas Cromwell, The Tudors, Season 3, Episode 8.

The Evolution of the Earl of Essex

1523. We meet Cardinal Wolsey's clerk, one Master Thomas Cromwell, who Wolsey has already noted for his diligence despite his low birth.	The mysterious Cromwell attends a secretive late-night Lutheran meeting.
He pays a visit to Anne Boleyn...	...he has brought her The Obediance of the Christian Man, a book that is widely considered to be heretical.
King Henry entrusts Cromwell with his first mission.	A final, desperate plea from his mentor Wolsey, but Cromwell tears up the letter.
12 April, 1533. Cromwell is appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer.	At Queen Anne's coronation banquet, he assures Henry that the absent Thomas More was indeed invited.
He watches in silence as More is interrogated by the Council.	Cromwell visits Bishop Fisher in the Tower of London, in an attempt to persuade him to sign the Oath of Supremacy.
Cromwell is pleased when Thomas Wyatt compliments him on his pamphleteering skills.	Henry instructs Cromwell to bring his wife and son to court.
Cromwell shares a smile with his wife, Elizabeth.	Queen Anne confronts Cromwell about her suspicions of his new alliance with the Seymours.
Cromwell interrogates Sir William Brereton.	He visits Wyatt in the Tower of London, to inform him that Anne has been sentenced to death and that Wyatt himself is to be released... 'Eventually...'
Frustrated that the executioner of Calais has been delayed, Henry turns on Cromwell for the first time.	The morning of Anne Boleyn's execution, Cromwell rushes to the chapel and attempts to pray...
May 30, 1536. Cromwell confides his fears to Sir Richard Rich that Henry's new queen, Jane Seymour, may be too Catholic in leaning.	He is created a Knight of the Garter and Lord Privy Seal by Henry.
But Henry's pleasure with his favourites is changeable. He blames Cromwell for not anticipating the discontent with the Reformation in the North of England.	Cromwell speaks with Lord Darcy in the Tower of London.
The rebellion successfully put down, Cromwell writes to Thomas Wyatt in Spain with the news.	With the bereaved King in seclusion, Cromwell calls an emergency meeting of the Council to address the breakdown in law and order at court, but the lords walk out on him in contempt.
At long last, he is summoned to a private audience with Henry...by the Court Fool.	The Six Articles of Faith are read, and Cromwell begins to suspect a roll-back of the Reformation.
He tells Rich of his growing doubts about the King.	He attempts to advise Henry of the benefits of an alliance with Cleves, but the King remains unimpressed.
Henry questions Cromwell about his relationship with John Lambert.	He tries to persuade Lambert to save himself, but to no avail.
He watches the execution of his old friend, Lambert.	In a final attempt at convincing Henry on the Cleves alliance, he sends Hans Holbein to paint Anne.
But Henry likes Anne not, and blames Cromwell for the match.	Lonely and close to despair, he instructs a young page on the ideals of the Reformation.
As Henry marries Anne of Cleves, Cromwell watches his fate being sealed.	Increasingly desperate, he visits Anne and advises her not to anger the King, both for her sake, and for Cromwell's own.
Late at night, Cromwell is visited by his son, Gregory.	Despite his determination to have his marriage to Anne annulled, Henry reassures Cromwell that he is still his first minister.
Gregory brings Cromwell news that he is now a grandfather.	But Cromwell's happiness cannot last. At a meeting of the Privy Council, he is arrested for treason.
From his cell at the Tower of London, Cromwell watches as his possessions are reclaimed by the Crown.	He is visited by Brandon, who instructs him to write a letter providing evidence of the non-consummation of Henry and Anne's marriage.
Cromwell writes his final letter to his King.	At the foot of the scaffold, he has one last moment with his son.
He begins his speech bravely...	...but grief overwhelms him.
He addresses his final prayer to the crowds.	He prepares himself for the end.

In Memory of Thomas Cromwell

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