The Thomas Cromwell Historical Quotes Page

'I among others have endured a parliament which continued by the space of seventeen whole weeks, where we commoned of war, peace, strife, contention, debate, murmur, grudge, riches, poverty, perjury, truth, falsehood, justice, equity, deceit, oppression, magnanimity, activity, force, attemprance, treason, murder, felony, conciliation, and also how a commonwealth might be edified and also contained within our realm. Howbeit, in conclusion we have done as our predecessors have been wont to do, that is to say as well as we might, and left where we began.'

(Thomas Cromwell, in a letter to his friend John Creke, after the dissolution of the unproductive Parliament of 1523)

'My prayer is that God give me no longer life than I shall be glad to use mine office in edification, and not in destruction.'

(Thomas Cromwell, letter of March 1538)

'I have had many a talk with Cromwell, of God, of nature & of other politic & wordly things, from which I have gathered more fruit of truth then I have done of any other man living since I came here to my country.'

(Thomas Starkey, on Cromwell)

'Who seeth not that he that is an evil counsellor to a prince is an evil counsellor to a realm? If it be sin to be an evil counsellor to one man, what abomination, what devilish and horrible sin is it to be a flatterer or an evil counsellor to a prince?'

(Thomas Cromwell, in a letter to Stephen Vaughan)

'God is God and knoweth both [my faithfulness] towards your Majesty and your realm … how dear your person was, is, and ever hath [been] …therefore, most gracious Prince, I humbly submit me to your [Grace] and ask of God mercy for my sins, and of your Highness mercy and pardon for mine offences as to your high wisdom shall seem most convenient. And, Sir, that ever I have deceived you in any of your treasure, surely I have [not], and that God Almighty best knoweth…Sir, upon [my kne]es I most humbly beseech your most gracious Majesty [to be goo]d and gracious lord to my poor son, the good and virtu[ous lady his] wife, and their poor children...'

(Extract from Thomas Cromwell's letter to Henry VIII from the Tower of London, June 1540)