Thomas Cromwell was beheaded on the same day that Henry VIII married which of his wives?

Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex KG PC (1485 – 28 July 1540) was an English lawyer and statesman who served as chief minister to King Henry VIII of England from 1532 to 1540.

Cromwell was arrested at a Council meeting on 10 June 1540, accused of a list of charges. He was imprisoned in the Tower. His enemies took every opportunity to humiliate him: they even tore off his Order of the Garter, remarking that "A traitor must not wear it." His initial reaction was defiance: "This then is my reward for faithful service!" he cried out, and angrily defied his fellow Councillors to call him a traitor. A Bill of Attainder containing a long list of indictments, including supporting Anabaptists, corrupt practices, leniency in matters of justice, acting for personal gain, protecting Protestants accused of heresy .

Cromwell was condemned to death without trial, lost all his titles and property and was beheaded on Tower Hill on 28 July 1540 in a public execution, the day of the King's marriage to Catherine Howard. Afterwards, his head was set on a spike on London Bridge.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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42 Comments

Deborah Lohr

I have always thought Cromwell was a man ahead of his time. After his death, in his papers was found a bill stating that unemployed men should be given jobs fixing roads, building fortifications, etc.This was intended to give them gainful employment rather than turning to thievery or begging. I think Cromwell got a bad rap.

Laurie Johnson Gonzalez

Christopher Skinner, "Were" would be the correct word here, not "are", and don't even think that American history is any better. All of world history is full of atrocities such as this.

Jacqueline Tattam

Wolf Hall & Bring Up The Bodies - Hilary Mantel’s brilliant novels trace the rise and fall of Cromwell - an excellent read!

Albeck1994

Janice Lea Vanlandingham, wrong so wrong you are thinking of Mary queen of Scots. Elizabeth 1 older sister Mary was queen ,from 1553 until her death in 1558 . She was married to king Phillip of Spain, but had no children, which is why upon her death Elisabeth was crowned queen. In fact, it was Elizabeth who was imprisoned by Mary.

Michael J. KellY

Well that is what I call poetic justice after what he did to Thomas More. 😁

Robert Mookerdum

And the irony is Britain being a democratic and a role model for many countries still has these bloody 'Royals' who are nothing more than offsprings of murderers and plain parasites.

Joe Mangan

Michael J. KellY, true, but Thomas More was no shrinking violet either when it came to despatching folks to the stake. They were all at it in those days until the Enlightenment bade humankind to live and let live.

Richard D. Boyle

One of the best questions recently. Inspired lots of interesting commentary.

cbireland

filmnut, my mother went on a tour of Scottish and English castles, her guides told her that she knew more of their history than they did. Not too shabby for an Alabama gal,LOL.

Mozzie Tsolaks

Michael J. Kelly i couldn't agree more; pardon the pun! 'You play with fire you get burned.'

Isabel Laing

If Henry v111 first wife had given him several fit and healthy sons he may have never married any one else!!!

Cedric Walters

This barbaric act proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that power can do as it likes. The "Magna Carta " latin for great paper should have prevented the thieves from taking his property without due process . Let me give a shout out to gangstas who see the system for what it is and take what they want. Cheers mate.

Cedric Walters

Basically , all power and power plays is like a game of chess . The right moves allow you to keep that power the wrong move well you get it.

Cedric Walters

These people have enough blood on their hands to open a blood-bank . LOL

Kent Snyder

Deborah Lohr, As I recall, being unemployed usually meant being imprisoned and if caught again while unemployed you could have wound up on the gallows. I think you had to sign up for a writ to stay out of trouble when you couldn't find employment.