THE EXECUTION OF THOMAS CROMWELL | The death of Thomas Cromwell | Tudor history documentary

[@HistoryCalling]

Do you think Cromwell’s execution was botched and why? Let me know below and remember you can also find me at: BUY MY BOOK (Find Your Irish Ancestors Online): amzn.to/3Z2ChnG Website (with 2 FREE DOWNLOADS): www.historycallingofficial.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/historycalling Amazon storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/historycalling Instagram: instagram.com/historycalling/

[@donnicholas7552]

Nope. If it had been botched, witnesses at the time would've written about it.

[@mousemd]

I appreciate your remark about wiki. I looked up somebody's birth date. I knew enough about that person that I knew that wiki was over a decade off. If you use the site frequently, they ask for donations. Since then, I use any other source or go without an answer

[@mousemd]

I am not certain that I have Irish ancestry? The way nomadic tribes wandered about before there were countries. I was told by my father that the Franks once inhabited the British Isles, if only for a brief period.

[@elsiestormont1366]

As you showed, the reputable contemporary accounts don't support the more grisly story. Amazing the rampant occurrence of plagerism and lack of citation. Even a high school student knows to always cite their sources. 🙄

[@ccahill2322]

Having one's head "in tolerably good condition" after having a visit to the miserable "axe man on Tower Hill is beyond hilarious.

[@redemptivepete]

Henry's expression of regret about the execution of Cromwell was about his (Henry's) loss of a good adviser and based, as ever, on self pity! What a guy!

[@dfuher968]

Ikr? Henry really is the kind of person, who even in the glorifying Tudor propaganda comes off as an ever whiny, petulant and selfpitying person and a petty tyrant, who lashes out like a mindless, spoiled 5y old, just to become selfpitying again over the consequences of his own actions, consequence, which were, ofc, never his fault. Its really hard to find any redeeming feature in Henry. Even without his treatment of his many wives.

[@HistoryCalling]

I did do a recent video on 10 good things about H8 which might help there :-)

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. He was a bit of a moron really, more so towards the end of his life.

[@hillarywhite7515]

He was the OG manbaby. He could never figure out why things didn't go exactly the way he demanded they did.

[@brianschmidt9919]

Something tells me we are raising a whole generation of Henry VIII at the moment ... The woke generation, completely self-absorbed demanding avoiding of any responsibility and thrusting all negative consequences on to innocent people..... God help us, a whole generation of Henry viii

[@marvwatkins7029]

This women has one of the most remarkably amazing deliveries I have ever heard. And she is thurough in her scholarly research!

[@milford8485]

Yes her Northern Irish accent is beautiful.

[@HistoryCalling]

Aww, thank you so much! That's lovely of you to say.

[@gabrielleschiavo9078]

It really amazes me how much the Victorians played with facts and willy-nilly changed historical records.

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. Those wacky Victorians! :-)

[@MadiganinPeach]

Who needs historical records when we have ✨spooky ghost stories✨🤡😂

[@MadCatLady28]

It's almost as if facts didn't matter. Can't imagine a society like that. 🙄

[@anweshabiswas1483]

Nobody is safe under the rule of Henry viii. LITERALLY NOBODY 😭😨

[@HistoryCalling]

Very true. Not his family, not his friends, no one. He was one dangerous guy from about 1535 onwards.

[@anweshabiswas1483]

@HistoryCalling Exactly . 💯

[@slytheringingerwitch]

Except Henry VIII, he was safe.

[@anweshabiswas1483]

@@slytheringingerwitch Everyone is safe , when Henry viii wasn't around.

[@jennifercheney4353]

​@@slytheringingerwitchwas he? He was pretty self destructive, so I don't think that's true.

[@terryroots5023]

I liked your calling out of Henry in the last section 😂. Like all tyrants, Henry could not admit to mistakes, but will blame and demean others. Plus ça change...

[@samanthafordyce5795]

I wish I could like this comment more than once. Henry VIII was truly a 'brat.'

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, it's classic tyrant behaviour. Take credit when things go well, blame everyone else when they don't.

[@georgetteconstant9050]

And his daughter Elizabeth emulated him.

[@AbeBSea]

​@@HistoryCallingGosh, how imbecilic would it be to elect someone like that as your leader!?!?

[@maryannehuber2922]

Ouim c'est vrai!

[@Subsidiarity3]

It was amazing for me to hear his final speech. I have never heard about it and I am from English Catholic background. "Deathbed" conversions are considered important and significant. Especially since he was so instrumental in the destruction of the monasteries.

[@steviestarfire]

I love it when your upload coincides with the end of my workday, such a treat. Merry Christmas, HC! 🎄❤️

[@HistoryCalling]

You're welcome. It tends to coincide with the end of my work day too, though in my case that means 9pm every Monday :-0 Merry Christmas to you too :-)

[@garycurry4600]

Another excellent scholarly examination. It makes me wonder how, in 300-500 years time, how historians and scholars will look back at our current times, and wonder if we ever really learned anything 🤔 from history

[@mrmadness2699]

I tell you a big one! No one writes letters anymore. Future historians will lose the ability to analyze people’s true thoughts and feelings.

[@kelrogers8480]

But we have emojis! 🤣​@@mrmadness2699

[@kelrogers8480]

Well, we havebt, and the will. The problem is that like, our arrogant, myopic generation, they will. likely assume everyone that went before them were ignorant, completely stupid, "religiously indoctrinated", simply knew nothing and thus have nothing to teach our modern times. Our conceit and arrogance is usually or downfall.

[@HistoryCalling]

I think they'll have the social media archives to work with (assuming they haven't been deleted).

[@HistoryCalling]

@kelrogers8480 That's very true. We are full of ourselves a lot of the time and assume that previous generations were idiots and we're wonderful.

[@mart4659]

HC, you are the undisputed GOAT of Tudor youtube docs, probably just YT historians as a whole!! Always a treat when you spotlight the generally lesser known figures of this time- have you ever considered making a vid on William and Robert Cecil and their influential role in Elizabeth I's reign? I love a PBS doc series from 2017 called Queen Elizabeth's Secret Agents that introduced me to the Cecil's history and am so curious how much of it is sensationalized (the recreations and storytelling are fantastic nonetheless). Anyway, whatever topic you're focusing on, I just eat it up haha!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much (and I do actually have a book on the Cecils I've been meaning to get to).

[@orlennmurphy6843]

LOL! The Tudors Tv series! 😂 I never made it past the first season. Lumping Mary and Margaret into one character was bad enough - especially given they leaned into Mary’s story when all of Margaret’s many dramatic adventures in Scotland were RIGHT FREAKING THERE!!! but when they had Wolsey slitting his own throat in prison I just completely checked out. Funny story. The Tudors was filmed here in Ireland. A friend of mine works as a TV extra. Very fun casual work if you don’t have to rely on it and have a schedule loose enough to allow it. She was asked to be an extra on The Tudors and she was SO EXCITED! She couldn’t wait to see what dreamy gorgeous English Renaissance gown they put her in! They cast her as a butcher 😂 The poor girl was shoved into loose fitting itchy homespun splattered with gore. She! Was! MORTIFIED!

[@kelrogers8480]

Butcher she was, although in silks and satins, to be sure!

[@HistoryCalling]

It did actually get better in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th seasons. It wasn't accurate all the time, but it was more accurate. Yes, I know about the Irish filming. Some of it was done at Dublin Castle. Your poor friend! It is quite a funny story though :-)

[@LadyDulcinea]

@@orlennmurphy6843 I didn't make it through the first episode. The assassination of the "uncle" made me angry, haha. I might go back later knowing (as I didn't at the time) that the history is dubious.

[@chrisbanks6659]

Oh - thanks HC. As always. Maybe somewhere down the line, a presentation on the good that Cromwell did? There's a good 20 - 30 minute presentation right there. ☺

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, he'd certainly be interesting to look at in greater detail. I should really read a full bio of him actually.

[@chrisbanks6659]

@@HistoryCalling McCulloch's Thomas Cromwell a really good read.

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh, thanks for the tip :-)

[@c.a.savage5689]

Hillary Mantel points out that Cromwell, along with Anne Boleyn, was responsible for authorizing the first printed Bible in English. Prior to that, it was only printed in Latin.

[@pepollli]

What a lovely surprise! I was suspecting that there might be a Thomas Cromwell video coming soon,but I didn’t think that it was going to happen before the end of Walt Hall. I thoroughly enjoyed it like all of your other Tudor and medieval deep-dives. I feel sorry for TC. Intact I feel sorry for anyone who was unlucky enough to cross paths with Henry. My gosh what a prick of a king this man was!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. I wanted this one out while Wolf Hall is still airing, which is why I put out the review of the Princes in the Tower documentary on Friday, instead of just waiting until today. Believe me, I wish the show had been running one extra week so that I could have moved this to next week, slotted in my review video today and just had a less stressful time over the past 6 days! :-)

[@pepollli]

@@HistoryCalling I’m so sorry to hear that it was a stressful week for you. For what it’s worth both videos were incredibly informative, entertaining and expertly written. I think I’ve mentioned this before, but your channel it the best history channel on KZbin and I’m sure that many, many people will agree with me on that.

[@Tamar_H]

@@HistoryCallingThank you for going all out. Much appreciated 😊

[@gloriana__]

Regardless of whether her portrayal of Cromwell was overly sympathetic (and I think this comes mostly form him being a masterfully unreliable narrator), Hilary Mantel’s books were so good I haven’t been able to bring myself to read the last one, knowing how the story ends. I don’t know if it was just her skill or if the moment in my life when I read the first two in 2019, but I was so enraptured by the atmospheric way she captured both the period and his emotional and psychological nuance, that I couldn’t put them down. The way she wrote his depression in Bring Up the Bodies made me cry (very rare for me), and I was melancholy for a week after I finished it. I just haven’t had the emotional bandwidth to witness Cromwell’s downfall through her words since.

[@cynthiavk1012]

Exactly my experience! How interesting. Suppose some feelings are related to Mantel's kinder portrayal of Cromwell.

[@cynthiavk1012]

Mantel's portrayal of Cromwell was many facetted and imbued with good-natured humanity.

[@margo3367]

Hilary Mantel portrayed Thomas Cromwell as undeniably human, with all the mistakes, love, scheming, etc etc that are inherent to our species. Read the Mirror & The Light! ❤✌️

[@HistoryCalling]

I know what you mean. I hate reading/watching the endings of things that I know are going to go badly too.

[@margo3367]

@ I always hope for a different ending when I watch an ‘Othello’ production. The ending is heartbreaking.

[@Marshal_Dunnik]

17:31 Cromwell: Most Gracious Prince, I cry for mercy, mercy, mercy. Henry VIII: Nope, nope, nope.

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. Who could read that letter from someone who'd been their friend and servant for so many years and then have the man killed? Henry was hideous.

[@katj3443]

@@HistoryCallinghe was very much unhinged, maybe the result of his jousting injury to his frontal lobe which causes behaviour changes, difficulties with reasoning, empathy, and impulsivity. That including the infected festering wound on his leg, that due to his weight would constantly open up and cause him trouble. In the best health he probably wasn’t the nicest person at times, but in his early days he was mostly charming. But after his main accident it all went down hill, he was reported to be very easy to anger and very on edge almost paranoid at times. I doubt many of the wives he wed had much chance really, he blamed them for a lack of a son when it’s the males sperm that determines the sex of the child.

[@michaelahern6821]

Henry was begging for mercy himself when he died but....he got the same response he gave Cromwell..

[@Lionstar16]

While I've been enjoying Wulfhall The Mirror and The Light for Damian Lewis' brilliant portrayal of how angry and paranoid Henry became in his later years and the wonderfully accurate historical costumes, I have to agree that Mark Rylance at times portrays Thomas Cromwell as a bit too sympathetic - the real Cromwell was definitely a lot more ruthless

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, he does seem a bit kindly most of the time, doesn't he? I'm certain Rylance could play him as a very cold operator if he wanted to (he's an excellent actor), but I imagine he's been directed to go with a softer approach. I also think that the portrayal of Henry is more on point.

[@Lionstar16]

@@HistoryCalling I actually consider Damian Lewis' portrayal of Henry VIII as the second best ever made - the first best will always be Keith Mitchell as far as I'm concerned :)

[@HistoryCalling]

Ah yes, Mitchell did do a great job. I liked Ray Winstone too.

[@johndowling5850]

​@@HistoryCalling I think you'll find that the actor playing the role of Henry VIII was Keith Michell, rather than Mitchell.

[@chrisbanks6659]

"......Mercy, mercy, mercy" I wouldn't be surprised if Norfolk (Thos Howard) palmed the executioner with a few coins to botch it - on a biblical scale. Howard was lucky to escape the same fate, thanks to Henry's death on the day of his execution. I think Thos More is one of those people who changes peoples' minds about im every 100 years or so. He remains an enigma as there is comparatively very little known about him & a lot of info is just supposition. Edit - Ha - I meant Thomas Cromwell. Not Thomas More. Small FACT about Cromwell - my birthday exactly 523 years after his execution. God I feel old.

[@brianschmidt9919]

Imagine how old God feels

[@lilwiccan1]

The Tudors is one of my all time favorite series and I’ve watched it through several times. However, television is supposed to be sensational and one should always remember that “based on” doesn’t mean completely historically accurate. English royal history is my favorite and I love the way you present it! Thank you.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, it's a fun enough show to pass the time, but certainly not accurate in a lot of ways.

[@MS-zu8ds]

Yes, you know it's an accurate account when the lead refuses to play Henry as corpulent.

[@Claire_T]

I wonder if Wolsey would have met a similar fate if he hadn't died when he did

[@HistoryCalling]

I suspect so, yes. It certainly wasn't looking good for him.

[@maryloumawson6006]

I have always wondered what the exact circumstances were regarding Cromwell's fall from grace. So I was excited to see the subject of this video. Thank you! Documentaries and dramatizations always seem to gloss over this detail, saying only that Henry was displeased with Anne of Cleves and blamed Cromwell for the debacle of his 4th marriage. But I knew there must have been more to the story. It seems equally unclear how Henry was navigating the presence of Lutheranism within his kingdom. Catherine Howard doesn't appear to have any strong beliefs either way, but Catherine Parr is understood to have been a proponent of the "new faith" and I believe was very nearly arrested on this point. So, to me it was an AHA! moment when you identified the real reason Cromwell was implicated. That his enemies at court, no doubt those that most closely aligned with the Catholic church, managed to link him to Protestantism, and how using the excuse of religion, he could control the king! Treason! This makes sense to me, and I'm grateful for the clarification you provide so eloquently. And I'm glad that Cromwell's portrayal in 'Wolf Hall' provided the pretext that made this video a timely topic for you to tackle. I confess, I disliked 'Wolf Hall' because it seems overly sympathetic to Cromwell at the expense of other characters in the story, and it just seems a dishonest view IMHO. Question: Who took over the duties of Cromwell, once he was deposed and executed? From what I know, Henry himself took over the management, which is why he bitterly regretted losing Cromwell such a short time later. But I may be wrong. It is often said that Henry became a tyrant in his later reign, and that it was due to his being in pain, and moreover, unable to enjoy the pursuits of his youth. However, I wonder if it might not be due to his having to concern himself, for the first time in his life, with the daily running of the country after the deaths of Wolsey and Cromwell? Thoughts?

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. You know, you ask a good question. I don't think anyone ever had the level of power that Cromwell had again. Henry seemed to stop having the kind of high profile favourites that he'd had with Wolsey, More and Cromwell once the latter was dead. PS Yes, I imagine Henry having to do some of his own work did make his temper worse. He didn't even like writing after all and he'd gone and killed his best servants.

[@c.a.savage5689]

"The Mirror and the Light" by H. Mantel gives an extensive background on Cromwell's mighty fall from grace, largely attributing it to Cromwell's having pushed so hard for the marriage with Anne of Cleves and the disaster that ensued. Also, the many enemies Cromwell had amassed by that time. It is a good book that stands on its own, even if it is a fictional account, it is well researched and a fine read.

[@maryloumawson6006]

@@c.a.savage5689 If Henry got the idea that Cromwell was seeking to control him by means of and to the benefit of Protestantism, and Cromwell himself, that already explains a lot. But I'll consider your recommendation. Thank you.

[@taebundy658]

I must say….. No way I would ever want to be a member of the Royal Court proper because you could lose your head at any moment it seems.

[@HistoryCalling]

I agree. Give me obscurity living out in the sticks any day of the week.

[@taebundy658]

@ 👍🏻

[@michaelahern6821]

These kings and monarchs had far too much power..

[@utubewillyman]

Like being a general in a third-world dictatorship.

[@Anita-rq9ev]

Thank you HC. I love the Tudor time, so I'm glad you cover this story. I'm divided on my opinion on Thomas Cromwell. He was ruthless, but very smart. He achieved a lot for Henry and for himself and made a lot of enemies. On the other hand he was loyal to Henry and I'm sure he was always under pressure to deliver. Henry was fickle and dangerous and Cromwell knew it. Cromwell's death was quite tragic, no matter if he deserved it or not (especially after being arrested he still worked to get Henry out of the marriage to Anne of Cleves and begging for mercy). I read that Henry regretted his death later by blaming others (what else 🙄). It's not always easy to judge personalities by todays standards I assume. Your presentation was as always top notch 👍

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much for the donation Anita. That's very kind of you. Watch the video til the end and you'll be vindicated in what you read; Henry did indeed express regret for killing TC and not even that long afterwards. Typical Henry!

[@eldelflowerwater]

Excellent video - thank you so much History Calling🎉

[@FandersonUfo]

a commoner basically who played for high stakes amongst a group of nobles who relished his down fall - of course he was carrying out Henry's wishes but that never means the monarch can't use you as a scapegoat eventually - an interesting guy for sure but not deserving any rehabilitation for how history has judged him - ty for clearing up the execution rumors

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, it's annoying actually that a self-made man's background was always held against him, whatever his flaws. I think he was smarter and a harder worker than many of those criticising him, who were just rich and coasting on the famous deeds of their ancestors who had earned their family titles (just as Cromwell earned his title of Earl of Essex).

[@FandersonUfo]

@@HistoryCalling - he was smarter than all the other old Dukes and Earls so they bided their time and grabbed a chance to take him out when they could - that still happens every day in most social groups

[@HistoryCalling]

Very true :-(

[@FandersonUfo]

@@HistoryCalling - 🛸✨

[@redemptivepete]

The obsession with where people came from still prevails especially in England. The emphasis should be on what people could achieve and where they're going! Centuries of talent wasted ..... Still we still have Howard's, Stanley's etc. so that's OK isn't it?

[@curlyfryzzz1]

I love that you addressed the wolf hall portrayal. Way too good-natured. I’m not sure why Mantel decided to portray Cromwell as ultimately this good but flawed person when the evidence we have paints a pretty chilling picture of the man (or Anne as this annoying horrible shrew 100% of the time but that’s a discussion for another time). Great video!

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, Mantel was very kind to him all things considered. I suppose her books needed a 'hero' though and perhaps that was her feeling about the man. I also thought Anne was given a bit of a harsh personality though. If she'd really been like that, we'd have to wonder what Henry fell in love with in the first place (which is not to say I think she was a lovely person, but I think she had more personal charm that was shown in the TV show).

[@liamphysick]

I’ve also always felt that Cromwell is portrayed too nicely in Wolf Hall - basically as a decent man forced to do things he hates - and I’m pleased you addressed this in the video. Though, of course, that was the only way to make him a sympathetic figure.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I guess we wouldn't have watched if we'd hated him. Even the Dexter character had to have redeeming qualities and he was a serial killer!

[@julilla1]

It's interesting to see what people think of him in the book and the series. He's a cipher. I think readers and viewers put things on his character that is their interpretation of what is happening with him, even if it isn't said or shown. It's one of the utterly remarkable things about the books, at no time are you ever told what Cromwell is feeling. The only thing you get is his constant memories and a relay of events without his judgement. It's always left up to the reader to figure out what he's thinking and feeling, and obviously, many people will put a sympathetic glaze on it.

[@marypagones6073]

@@HistoryCallingI think the actor in Anne of a Thousand Days seems to be the closest to how I picture the real man in my mind.

[@jeandonaldson2290]

Oh wow, I *had* always assumed it was botched, based on popular works. Thanks for the authoritative de-bunk!

[@alisade127]

It was very dangerous to be Henry VIII s friend or wife. He turned on people so quickly and didn’t give any of them a chance to defend themselves. In most cases never speaking to them again.

[@Shane-Flanagan]

I was always dead set against Cromwell and fully blamed him for Anne Boleyns unjust downfall. I always saw Cromwell as the bad guy with little to no redeeming qualities. My opinion hasn't changed too much but I do have a bit more appreciation and interest in him. An intelligent, ambitious, cunning and efficiency man. You have to admire how self made he was, a blacksmiths son who came from nothing, he worked hard to find his way to the very heart of Henry's Court. Cromwell had great success even if it didn't last and left his mark.

[@blossomceriwen]

I gasp when you mentioned the parte of the "catholic church", for a moment I thought he was backtrack about his beliefs and I haven't noticed before (been a Tudor era enthusiast since 2017). Great video as always HC ^⁠^

[@Sattva468]

Hearing you relay how Henry flippantly regretted how “they” put Thomas Cromwell to death reminds me of how his daughter Elizabeth I similarly acted upon finding out that Mary Queen of Scots was executed. Y’all signed the death warrants come on. 🙄

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, that's a good comparison, although I don't think she was as flippant about killing Mary after keeping her locked up for 19 years, but I also think she wanted her dead, no matter what she said afterwards. She had asked to have her quietly murdered some time earlier after all.

[@theresalaux5655]

Thank you dear and Happy Holidays to you!🎉😅

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you again for the very kind donation and you have a fantastic holiday season too :-)

[@martinclarke6681]

Happy Christmas

[@megster116]

The higher they are, the harder they fall! Cromwell always struck me as a climber who had no problem stepping over anyone to gain power (he helped get rid of a Queen after all!) I had also heard the story about his awful execution with the useless, and supposedly drunk, executioner. I will give him a modicum of pity for that as that sounds horrendous!

[@eldelflowerwater]

Thank you History Calling- watching it now🎉

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. Enjoy :-)

[@margaretcottingham5920]

A phrase I heard quite often growing up went like this.."God doesn't let ugly persist forever." Henry was ruthless and he had his days cut short. I don't think a great number of people cared for Henry VIII by the time he passed away in 1547.

[@kelrogers8480]

That's a good comment. Where are the tyrants of history? Turned to dust, as nothing, along with all their ill-gotten gains.

[@delia88209]

I have to wait for a couple of months before Wolf Hall is on PBS passport. Very excited

[@markstanding4354]

It's very good just watched episode 5 last one next Sunday.

[@dianeunderhill8506]

It is a good series, well acted. However the blatant miscasting of white characters with black is an absolute travesty and ruins it. Woke diversity at work again!

[@dianeunderhill8506]

A good series ruined by wokeness. The blatant miscasting of white characters with black people is appalling!

[@markstanding4354]

@@dianeunderhill8506 just like that awful Anne boleyn drama on chanel 5 totally changed her race.

[@alexkirtel]

Learned something I never knew I needed to learn. Weekly tribute presented.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you :-)

[@ravenhill_the_crusader_1968]

No one was safe from execution in Henry's realm. In fact being his friend was probably the most dangerous position in his court. He was in the habit of extinguishing his best and brightest (Moore, Wolsey, Cromwell) in the Kingdom.

[@GradKat]

I don’t believe the execution was botched. I think some people have wanted to believe that because Cromwell has traditionally been seen as a “bad” character. Henry’s behaviour reminds me of Idi Amin of Uganda (as depicted in the film The Last King of Scotland). Favourites becoming “enemies” within a matter of weeks and summarily executed. It must have been scary to be Henry’s pal in the last years of his life.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, it's a wonder even Charles Brandon managed to survive, but then again he had the wit to be absent from court a lot.

[@marypagones6073]

Brilliant video. Cromwell is such a fascinating and ruthless man, although I agree (from the biography I read) he was far less cute and cuddly than the Wolf Hall version. My interpretation of the “Catholic” reference is the more general use of the term-especially, as you say, he made no reference to the Pope. Interesting to me always is how deep his friendship was with Cardinal Worsley, given his later enthusiasm for Protestantism.

[@AmynAL]

I’m inclined to believe it was not a botched execution. Despite his enemies, who disliked him immensely and could have seen to it that the executioner did a poor job, nothing is documented that they commented on it or were there to gloat at his end. It seems that he was led to the scaffold and the deed done. He failed to keep his enemies close and I’ve always thought that his efforts to destroy Anne Boleyn came back to haunt him. Your video was very interesting and as always keeps me learning. Have a great week. ☺️

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think the relative silence in the sources here speaks volumes. A badly done execution would have been mentioned.

[@michaelstusiak5902]

Thank you for this episode.

[@melindaroop1346]

I LOVE The Tudors tv show, but I always figured a lot of it was over dramatized.

[@happycommuter3523]

Same here. A lot of it is Philipa Gregory levels of exaggeration, but Natalie Dormer is still my favorite Anne Boleyn.

[@davidhall8049]

Lovely voice thank you for this 😊

[@bevinboulder5039]

Based on the fact that only a few sources mentioned the execution being botched, certainly makes that info very suspect so I'm the not botched camp. I've been going through some health issues but I'm feeling way better now, so I'm glad to be back. Really enjoyed this video.

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

After what he actually did to people, including Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon, his actions as a false teacher as well as his false accusations condemned him.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I wonder what they would have made of his fate? Of course the ultimate blame for all those messy situations lies, I think, with Henry, but you could never have told him that.

[@EndingSimple]

I think James Gandolfini would have done a wonderful job portraying him in a movie if he had ever gotten the chance to do that.

[@christopherprofet6239]

Love your videos, HC. May I ask where somebody has to be from to have an accent like yours?

[@jonathandavis4674]

ireland

[@HistoryCalling]

Hmm, I already answered this but I don't see it here for some reason, so I'll try again. I'm actually from Northern Ireland, though I think I have a relatively soft version of the accent. I sound quite different to the characters in Derry Girls for instance :-)

[@c.a.savage5689]

This fascinating and well-researched video is much appreciated. Thank you. Small aside, and nothing to do with Cromwell, it has been speculated that, it was after Henry VIII's jousting accident (the one where he almost died, causing Anne Boleyn's miscarriage and Henry's permanent leg injury) that the king began displaying subtle signs of post-traumatic brain injury: mood changes, violent tempers, erractic behaviour... And that these symptoms, along with pain and disability, age and his kingly egomania contributed greatly to the fall of those closest to him.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

What next ..?? He was " neurodivergent " ? Or maybe ADHD...??

[@HawkqOjOp]

I agree with you that it seems Cromwell had a 'normal' execution, based solely on the contemporary sources versus those long after. My personal gut feeling is that Cromwell was an educated and good man until he got deep in courtly politics, then became quite conniving and suffered from a major "CYOA" syndrome, similar to Wolsey, but likely a better man than Wolsey overall. I do think, however, that Cromwell played a huge part in Ann's downfall. I think he also hid some very important documentation from Henry, i.e. possibly Ann's letter from the tower. This was fascinating and as always, love all the sources you provide us! Thank you!! 📚🪓

[@HistoryCalling]

Now that letter supposedly from Anne - I would love to know if that was really from her and if Henry saw it. I have a whole video on it actually.

[@missyme2673]

Another educational and exciting video from tou! Ive always been intrigued by Cromwell and his relationship with Henry VIII, I especially love how you called him out for the spoilt tyrant that he was! It seams like nobody is safe around him, no matter how much you do to please him and do his bidding. On a another note, I love how the Victorians glorified history! Thank you, HC for bringing us a fantastic subject! 😊

[@Tamar_H]

Perfect! I’m frantically learning as much as possible about Cromwell before the last episode of Wolf Hall!

[@si4632]

The anti catholic Hilary Mantel🤣🤣

[@C.Hughes-Lloyd]

Try reading a respected book written by a qualified historian. Read what the Professors John Guy and the eminent historian David Starkey respectively have said about her books: 'Nonsense to think that Mantel's novels were historically accurate'. 'Fiction'. Mantel didn't even have a degree in history.

[@HistoryCalling]

Hope this helps. I wanted to get the video out before the final episode and will be interested to see how they approach his execution.

[@c.a.savage5689]

You should read Mantel's book. It is griping from start to finish and flashes out Cromwell's early years before Henry VIII.

[@C.Hughes-Lloyd]

@@c.a.savage5689 John Guy, Cambridge University historian: '....nonsense to think that Mantel’s novels were historically accurate.'

[@LKMNOP]

I saw in a history book somewhere that Henry gave many rewards to someone right before he destroyed them. You see that with Cromwell. As an aside, I always love to hear the disdain in your voice for Henry VII. It's not overt, but it's definitely there. He was despicable in his behavior.

[@MERISI001]

What a fabulous video. So well explained. Thank you so much.

[@ellenbryn]

your characterization of Henry VIII at the end of this is immensely satisfying (and, as an American who has not taken leave of my senses, dismaying - Henry VIII may have blamed others for every one of his regrettable actions, but at least he was not elected to lead his country after making that character flaw abundantly clear.)

[@dutchhistoricalactingcolle5883]

Another great video, thanks! It really is hard to maintain much respect for Henry VIII's character...

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, he certainly deteriorated a great deal from the man he was in his youth.

[@Reader1984]

Thank You History Calling. Just made my day, been in the hospital ICU for over a week after exploratory surgery and this has been the only thing to cheer me up. Cardinal Wolsey still had it better in my opinion..to die en route was a blessing in disguise. I'm sure during his last moments, he was quite happy he wouldn't see the block. Normally as a Protestant, I would feel sorry for Cronwell, but NO. His death was his own doing in my opinion, the dissolution of the monasteries that Cromwell pushed so hard for was a completely barbaric and reprinsable...and he very stupidly put Anne of Cleves up without actually seeing her first...another fatal blow. His greed was the nail, Henry & God took care of it. Personally, The Duke of Mommoth execution was more botched and ghastly than Cromwell/Mary Queen of Scots/Wyatts. Mommoth head was chopped several times, and didn't fall, his execution literally pulled a knife out to finish him off...how BlOODY.

[@HistoryCalling]

I'm so sorry to hear about you needing surgery. I hope you're recovering well. Yes, Wolsey had the easiest death out of the 3 famous Thomases (not sure if that's how to make Thomas plural, but hopefully you know what I mean). Yes, Monmouth's death was nasty indeed.

[@gospelaccordingtojohn8959]

We should thank Henry VIII for 500 years of historical entertainment. For the last half a millennium, the Tudors are the original Kardashians.

[@HistoryCalling]

That's very true! At least the Kardashians aren't killing each other though :-)

[@JettScott]

Kardashians are nothing but worthless famous people, famous for nothing. Don't insult the Tudors like that.

[@stephencarrillo5905]

👏👏🎄I hope you're enjoying a cozy Yuletide evening, HC. Thanks for this excellent video. Last night I listened to an interview with Kristin Claiden-Yardley, a historian who consulted with the makers of "Wolf Hall" during the first season. One bit I liked was when she said: "I don't think it's realistic because there's things that we don't know because the sources aren't there.There are things we do know but they just don't work with storytelling". Sound about right to you? Beheading is brutal enough; guess people can't resist making it more gory. Have a great week, HC.🙏🏼

[@HistoryCalling]

Haha, still slogging my guts out I'm afraid. I have another 10 days or so to go before there will be any cozy, relaxing evenings. Yes, her assessment of how history is translated to screen sounds about right.

[@stephencarrillo5905]

@@HistoryCalling Of course; silly me. Try to keep your guts intact so you can enjoy good food and drink. 🍺You deserve a break.

[@chrisbanks6659]

Pretty much what I said in the last sentence of my comment, Stepehen.

[@chrisbanks6659]

@@stephencarrillo5905 I see what you did there. Very funny. 😆

[@naomiwind2791]

When the text appeared at 15:47 I started laughing so hard it turned into a coughing fit 😂perfect comedic timing on that one

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I'm just sorry I didn't think to put it into the main script (the audio I mean). Oh and I'm also sorry about the coughing fit! Unlike Henry, I don't want to kill my followers :-)

[@naomiwind2791]

@ I actually think it’s perfect the way that it is! Your little comments like that give an even bigger incentive to watch the screen (the images you choose are always great, too). I really needed that laugh today, so thank you!

[@monicacall7532]

What’s ironic is that soon after TC’s execution Henry VIII was blaming (of course) his privy council for forcing him to kill his most trusted and loyal servant. It’s behavior like this that lets you know that Henry VIII had completely gone over to the psychopathic side by this time. I wonder if anyone, even the lowliest peasants, ever felt safe while Henry VIII lived.

[@HistoryCalling]

Probably not, but I dunno that they felt much safer with Edward or Mary either.

[@theresalaux5655]

Thanks!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much Theresa. That's incredibly kind of you. Have a wonderful Christmas :-)

[@Whookieee]

People talk a lot about Henry's wives, but "trusted advisor" was no safer!

[@HistoryCalling]

Very true indeed. No one was really safe with Henry. I think had she kept pushing him, even Princess Mary might have been killed by him.

[@Whookieee]

@@HistoryCalling agree. The man had no conscience.

[@Hellsprite67]

Catherine Howard was described as quite plump by contemporaries, not sure why she is depicted as extremely thin here, ie the wax model.

[@kylewhittle6565]

What’s remarkable about Henry is that he was a romantic, empathetic, very sweet and caring person when he was married to Katherine of Aragon, it was his inability to produce a male heir and his belief he was cursed from God for marrying his brother’s betrothed love that he went on a paranoid blood lust vengeance. In paradox, so called Bloody Mary was the least violent of her siblings. Elizabeth and Edward’s reign was considered much more violent than mary.

[@thoughtsofelizabeth]

Doing my where's waldo on the striking visuals, as usual. I had to wastch your video as soon as i noticed it was out; a great effort considering the optic neuritis is acting up! I just couldn't stay away too long. Gotta catch up on the other videos.

[@HistoryCalling]

Even I have to hunt for the watermarks sometimes. I forget where I've put them! :-) Sorry to hear about the neuritis. I hope it improves soon. You can get away with just listening to a lot of my videos if needs be.

[@taebundy658]

What a treat!!!! I love your vids….❤❤❤❤❤

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much :-)

[@TeufelHunden-o2d]

I've only just subscribed today and nabbed a copy of your book when it's released. Cheers "Wolf Hall" is excellent by the way!

[@Blau_Frosch]

What most people also dont notice in the apostles creed is that the word catholic is not capitalized.

[@HistoryCalling]

Very true.

[@toby099]

Deliberately botched. Cromwell had more enemies than anyone else in the entire country.

[@leticiagarcia9025]

I don’t see Cromwell has one of Henry’s trusted advisers. He gave Henry what he wanted for his own personal gains. He looted the Catholic Churches and filled his coffers. Yes Henry wanted Anne Boleyn to die and so did he because she was on to him. I enjoyed your video. Hearing from other historians that Cromwell’s execution was botched is disconcerting. I appreciated all the details you added. I’m convinced that Cromwell’s execution was not botched. Thank you.

[@si4632]

That's all the reformation was one big looting operation the upper class did very well

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. Yes, it is annoying when other historians claim things without sharing all the information.

[@hillarywhite7515]

It always blew my mind that Cromwell of all people thought Henry would be content with a wife he didn't choose himself. Cromwell was highly intelligent and politically astute, but he never picked up on such a huge part of Henry's character.

[@HistoryCalling]

I don't know why Henry agreed to the Cleves' marriage sometimes though, because you're right, he always like to be able to see/chose the woman first.

[@edithengel2284]

Not really Cromwell's fault. He did what Henry ordered him to do--find a suitable foreign Protestant bride. Whether he was aware that this would not suit Henry in the long run, we don't know.

[@hillarywhite7515]

@@HistoryCalling I always thought he was still in mourning over Jane and wasn't emotionally ready to move on, but not having a queen meant A LOT of people out of work at court. That was of course politically unpopular. Still though, Cromwell should have put him off this idea if he could.

[@MichelleBruce-lo4oc]

Hi, awesome live history video. I enjoyed it. How are you doing? I'm doing well, and so is my cat Benjamin. We have lots of rain in Ontario, Canada. How is the weather where you are? All your live history videos are always enjoyable. In the next video, in the future, could you do Madge? She was cousin to Anne Boleyn and her lady in waiting. She was also a mistress to King Henry the eighth for a short time from the 16th century. Have a great day. See you next video 😊

[@HistoryCalling]

Hi Michelle. All good here thanks. Just standard UK weather for December (rainy and cold). I may well get to Madge in the future, yes.

[@ludovica8221]

great video!

[@UncleSam-USofA]

As always great episode

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you :-)

[@QueSara1111]

Historical accounts written by Georgian and Victorian academics are responsible for the popularisation of ahistorical recounts of history being peddled as factual accounts to this day. The crusades are a prime example. The timing of these works coincides with the age of colonial expansion and widespread belief in eugenics, has meant that these versions of history being woven into the political and educational foundations of countries such as Australia and NZ (I'm an Australian historian in this area). The acceptance of these 18th and 19th century versions as accurate has made it easy for history to be misappropriated to push political agendas because it is genuinely mistaken for actual history, rather than the revisionist history rewritten centuries after the fact than it actually was. It is very hard to convince people that the only version of history they have been taught is, in fact, largely inaccurate and whitewashed propaganda.

[@Raven6794]

Always perilous to be close to the Tudor throne, especially Henry’s

[@HistoryCalling]

Very true indeed. Elizabeth was a bit safer at least.

[@darybear0330]

Great vid as usual! What are your thoughts on Familysearch?

[@LaLayla99]

The Victorian era used to be my favorite historical period, but I'm a bit peeved at learning of the way they seem to be responsible for rewriting a lot of history 🧐

[@jasmineleilanikyle6064]

Henry is a great example of how Narcissists act if given power & impunity.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yup. No one should ever have that kind of power, especially when it's unearned. Humans aren't really built for it.

[@brendonmcmorrow3886]

Another interesting discussion. I sense some irritation on your part with Hilary Mantel’s version of Cromwell. In her defence, I’d say she is a writer and not an historian so artistic licence is allowed. That said, she is known for her desire to accord with the historical record and I can see why it would be disconcerting when this doesn’t happen. I also think that the media tends to defer to her account of Cromwell as being fully factual which frankly blurs the line between historical knowns and literary fiction. For my own part, I have found her Wolf Hall books incredibly satisfying in their accurate depiction of the Tudor court and its events. It is sometimes easy to forget that they are literary works! What did you make of Cromwell’s arrest on Sunday’s episode of Wolf Hall? It was certainly adrenaline filled and had me gripped from start to end.

[@od1452]

Yes. Ive heard the well used story where his enemies got the axeman drunk the night before. Henry's quick turn around from rewarding to Treason is kinda interesting . Clearly Cromwell's enemies quickly jumped on that bandwagon ... and treason would be the best charge to topple him with.. Still .. one would think Treason would need a trial to find other guilty parties. But I wonder if the accusers knew Henry could be distracted by a pretty face . With a friend like Henry.. you didn't need an enemy. I'm not a fan of Cromwell but his rise from soldier and merchant seems impossible in a class culture. Was upward mobility easier than I think ?

[@SimpleDesertRose]

I remember watching the Tudors and seeing that episode where the echcitioner stumbled up to the block suppedly so drunk he couldn't hardly hold the axe. I remember thinking g that I hadn't read anything like that or even about a botched execution. I knew it was a bunch of Hollywood glamor purely for the sake of a good story a d to keep the ratings up. Foe as much as I would love to see a TV show that stuck to the facts, it's most likely never going to happen as history isn't as always as exciting as a good fictional story. Either way I feel that Henry had Thomas Cromwell brutally murdered for giving him exactly what he wanted and when he had to pick up the pieces of the mess he made, he threw another temper tantrum and started looking fir someone to blame. Just like he always did. Heaven forbid he should actually take responsibility for his own actions. I wonder if he ever felt any guilt about murdering his wives and so many other people just because he couldn't have his way. As always another great video.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, that scene was gruesome and so unnecessary really. Executions were gory enough.

[@MB-nn3jw]

If’s interesting to consider, at the time of these events there would have been people still alive that had fought at the Battle of Bosworth Field, possibly having served under King Richard III.

[@happycommuter3523]

They’d have been pretty old by the time of Cromwell’s death, though.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I suppose there might have been a few.

[@michaelmacewen]

Another exceptional video.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you :-)

[@francisjmortimer]

Like you I'd not read the phrase "to bear swing" which you interpret at 14:55 as "beaten hard." I've done some more research and in the context of the 16th-century phrase, it is unlikely to mean "beaten hard." The phrase "to bear swing" was more commonly understood idiomatically to mean "to wield power or influence." This fits the context of resentment from the clergy who had lost authority due to Cromwell's reforms. In that time, if it were meant to imply a beating or punishment, the description would have typically been more explicit eg words like scourged or smote. The OED defines swing in a historical context as "Power, Influence, Control" which might add deeper meaning to the quote. I really enjoyed this video and will follow more of these as it's a terribly interesting part of history. Many thanks.

[@HistoryCalling]

Ah, that's very interesting. Thank you for looking into it and for sharing :-)

[@francisjmortimer]

@@HistoryCalling There are some examples of this use of the language of "punishment" in Shakespeare too.

[@nyckolaus]

Another excellent video!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you :-)

[@DiddlyPenguin]

I have been watching Wolf Hall the mirror & the light. The arrest had him very surprised. He thought he was top of the heap. I hope his execution wasn’t too gorey.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I really hope they don't go the gory route too. They stayed pretty accurate for Anne's.

[@marvwatkins7029]

Now I would like to know why Ms. Weston must copyright all documents and illustrations shown under History Calling. It must be under legal advice.

[@stephendavies6949]

I very much enjoy your content. It is extremely informative and presented in an accessible and entertaining way. I agree wholeheartedly that, "Henry was a Catholic, but just didn't want to be answerable to the Pope." This video made me smile at time point 10.10: Perhaps your banner should say "Current", as I suggest no-one would describe the House of Lords as "Modern"! Keep up the good work.

[@HistoryCalling]

Haha, I see what you mean. :-)

[@annesavoury2091]

Thank you for explaining the situation. Excellent logic. 👍

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. :-)

[@alexandros8361]

Mark Rylance will always be Cromwell for me. He portrays that sense of the sinister. The sense of him, I got from Hiliary Mantel's books as well. Must admit that I didnt foresee that Cromwell's wealth would make him such a target for Henry's avarice.

[@arualblues_zero]

Even before bringing up explicitly the Catholic faith, the biggest hint was citing the Holy Trinity, as it's classically a Catholic thing.

[@gracideaflower]

Another fab video, HC! Gotta love a gruesome execution story (even if it is just a story). On the subject of botched executions, would you consider doing a video on the death (and maybe life) of Lady Margaret Pole? I've heard she had a particularly horrible execution but it would be interesting to see how true that actually is. After everything that poor woman lived through, a botched execution is certainly not a fate she deserved!

[@beastieber5028]

Good evening to history calling from Bea 🇬🇧

[@BruceLee-fd7uw]

So he was a groveling little toad ,who constantly asked for mercy yet showed no mercy to anyone.

[@HistoryCalling]

I suppose they all asked for mercy in the end. I bet even Henry was begging God for mercy.

[@edithengel2284]

Not maybe as bad as his collateral descendant Oliver?

[@shighbenable]

Reading Henry to filth at the end, gave me life

[@elsiestormont1366]

What became of Cromwell's son, Gregory?

[@edithengel2284]

He came out of the situation extremely well. Henry created him Baron Cromwell only five months after Thomas Cromwell's execution. Gregory had married Jane Seymour's sister Elizabeth, and they had several children. Henry made several grants of manors to Gregory, including at least one of his father's forfeited properties. (Feeling a little remorse, Henry?) Gregory died rather young at the age of around thirty of sweating sickness.

[@alexandros8361]

I was born at Netley Abbey (well the area called that, beside the ruins) Henry clearly wanted all the money and lands from the monasteries. But thought he could weasel out of any divine punishment for it.

[@tonycavanagh1929]

Thank you for that, cromwell was played as more a villian in many of the films of henry the 8th. The Tudors, and Wolf Hall, he was played more sympthetic, the victim of class based snobbery.

[@maryarigho5868]

No, it wasn't botched. Extraordinary reversal in his speech. I do think he meant Catholic not catholic (universal). Maybe he got scared about his previous views when it came to meeting his Maker or he wanted his opponents and the king to think more kindly of him?

[@HistoryCalling]

Perhaps, yes. It would be interesting to know, but I guess we never will.