Relationship Between Henry And Anne Of Cleves

In February of 1540, it was clear that the alliance between Germany and England would not last. Henry and Anne of Cleves simply did not get along. In July of the same year of their marriage, Anne was asked for her consent to an annulment (their marriage had not been consummated) and she quickly agreed. This is not surprising given the reputation that Henry had earned for himself already at the time. Raising up a huge fuss over a marriage that had not even lasted a year would not have been beneficial. Even though Cromwell had been made Earl of Essex, and Lord Great Chamberlin in April of that year, his fall came quickly. By the time the failed union had been absolved, his head was already on its way to a basket.
The shadow of Lord Thomas …show more content…
Without a hearing, Cromwell was sent to the Tower of London and made to wait until a decision was made on whether to execute. There were various other claims made against Cromwell, although the majority were deemed insignificant after the arrest. However, the most damaging of these accusations was that he denied the presence of Christ in the sacrament, and was speaking treasonable words against the King. Though there needed to have been a legal reason for Cromwell’s arrest and then execution, it was no secret even at the time, that his real crime had been sticking Henry with Anne of Cleves. His fate was “sealed by Henry’s passion for Catherine Howard.” Norfolk’s niece was young, and still able to bare children for the Henry. His desire for her was apparent from the moment her uncle first suggested the pairing, even though Henry was still married to Anne. From the Tower of London while awaiting his fate, Cromwell wrote his King a letter. In the letter, he pleads for his life, or at least forgiveness from Henry. “The frail flesh inciteth me continually to call to your grace for mercy and pardon for mine offences… I cry for mercy, mercy, …show more content…
The rising fortune of Wolsey’s employee Thomas Cromwell, had the biggest impact on King Henry VIII’s reign than any other person working in the King’s service. Cromwell’s efforts in establishing the Reformation in England changed the course of history and strengthened the Tudor administration beyond what even Henry had originally predicted. “His fall did not end the Reformation, but it marked the end of competent government and purposeful policy in Henry’s reign.” All throughout Henry’s reign he had, had someone else that could do any of the leg work necessary for a monarch. There exists a lengthy list of people that met their end with Henry’s wrath. Cromwell, though he “did more towards promoting the Reformation, than any man at that age…” his efforts landed him in the same position as so many men and women