Was Cromwell A Hero Or A Villain

From the devastating fall of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, to the rise of his successor, the relentless Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell, throughout the course of English history has continually been portrayed as the main villain during Henry VIII’s reign, aside from Henry himself of course. A man, who thought nothing of betraying friends or allies in his conquest to secure the most notorious career in history. Since Henry VIII sent his chief minister and close advisor to the scaffold five centuries ago on 28 July 1540, historians have debated on the characterisation of Cromwell. Was he a manipulative death merchant who, throughout his political career killed and victimised thousands of innocent people for obeying their religious beliefs. Or was Cromwell simply a man of modest decent, risen from the ashes of his poor upbringing, due to his impeccable intelligence and determination?
Henry’s political champion that would make both men vastly wealthy during their time of absolute power? Although these interpretations contain elements of truth, either way it would ultimately lead to his demise. Historians have had a continuous battle to determine the character of the multifaceted political animal that is Thomas Cromwell. The impact Cromwell had on English society made for the greatest political changes in the sixteenth century. He was one of Henry VIII’s most cherished advisors, however, to what extent did Cromwell’s own political and religious beliefs impact Henry and the course of