Thomas Cromwell: Revolution In The Government
Historians regard Thomas Cromwell as one of the most significant figures in the english history. It is said that he ‚achieved a „revolution in the government“ in the 1530s‘. His most prominent work was the Act in Restraint of Appeals, which announced England an empire ruled by a king who has spiritual and temporal power. G.R. Elton said ‘wherever one touches Thomas Cromwell, one finds originality and the unconventional’. This position, however, has been challenged by John Guy who draws one’s attention to reservouirs Cromwell could have tapped, such as those of St. Germain.
It is said that the Break with Rome was a result of Cromwell’s anti-clerical agenda, and Cromwell himself „was the main driving force“ behind it. C. Russel, however, …show more content…
This draws one’s attention to the „revolution in the government“. It is argued that Cromwell had intentionally increased Parliament’s power and reduced the role of the royal household. One of his early letters suggests that he was frustrated over the Parliament’s powerlessness. „we have done as our predecessors have, that is to say, as well as we might and left where we began.“ The letter also implies that previous Parliaments were no different to the one attended by Cromwell. In 1529 John Fisher said that the Parliament was „so parcially chosen, that the king had his will almost in all things that himself listed“. Fisher’s stance could be partial since he was devoted to the Pope and the Parliament of 1529 was satured with anti-papal attitudes. The said Parliament, however, was summoned in order to resolve the King’s Matter. It is, thus probable that Henry manipulated elections, what was not an uncommon practise. In 1536 elections in Canterbury were rescinded and the Crown appointed two men instead. It is noteworthy that Cromwell was the one who rescinded the elections. His letter from 1535 reveales that his position on Parliament evolved, he wrote to the Duke of Norfolk „proclamacyons and polyces so deuysyd by the King & his cownsayll for any such purpose shoulde be of as good effect as any law made by
It is said that the Break with Rome was a result of Cromwell’s anti-clerical agenda, and Cromwell himself „was the main driving force“ behind it. C. Russel, however, …show more content…
This draws one’s attention to the „revolution in the government“. It is argued that Cromwell had intentionally increased Parliament’s power and reduced the role of the royal household. One of his early letters suggests that he was frustrated over the Parliament’s powerlessness. „we have done as our predecessors have, that is to say, as well as we might and left where we began.“ The letter also implies that previous Parliaments were no different to the one attended by Cromwell. In 1529 John Fisher said that the Parliament was „so parcially chosen, that the king had his will almost in all things that himself listed“. Fisher’s stance could be partial since he was devoted to the Pope and the Parliament of 1529 was satured with anti-papal attitudes. The said Parliament, however, was summoned in order to resolve the King’s Matter. It is, thus probable that Henry manipulated elections, what was not an uncommon practise. In 1536 elections in Canterbury were rescinded and the Crown appointed two men instead. It is noteworthy that Cromwell was the one who rescinded the elections. His letter from 1535 reveales that his position on Parliament evolved, he wrote to the Duke of Norfolk „proclamacyons and polyces so deuysyd by the King & his cownsayll for any such purpose shoulde be of as good effect as any law made by