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When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given e.g. AUTHOR (year of submission) "Full thesis title", University of Southampton, name of the University School or Department, PhD Thesis, pagination http://eprints.soton.ac.uk UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON FACULTY OF LAW, ARTS & SOCIAL SCIENCES SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES, HISTORY Qualities of a Royal Minister: Studies in the Rise of Thomas Cromwell, c. 1520-1534 by Michael Robert James Everett Thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy October 2012 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON ABSTRACT FACULTY OF LAW, ARTS & SOCIAL SCIENCES SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES, HISTORY Doctor of Philosophy QUALITIES OF A ROYAL MINISTER: STUDIES IN THE RISE OF THOMAS CROMWELL, c. 1520-1534 by Michael Robert James Everett Existing studies of Thomas Cromwell (c. 1485-1540) have typically interpreted his life and work during the 1530s as being a reflection of his religious beliefs, his administrative zeal or his political ambitions. In doing so they have left a distorted picture of the man and his career, which often takes for granted exactly how he became the king’s leading minister. The purpose of this thesis is to describe how Cromwell rose so spectacularly, by examining previously neglected areas of work he undertook for the king, and presenting the first rounded study of Cromwell and his early career. A new study of Cromwell, which focuses on aspects of his life and work which have never before been examined, enables new insights to be drawn about the minister himself, while shedding fresh light on debate surrounding Henrician Court and government. An examination of Cromwell’s greatly neglected life as a lawyer and merchant in the 1520s demonstrates how he acquired many of the qualities which were required for him to prosper under Henry VIII, while fresh consideration of the manner of Cromwell’s transition into the king’s service challenges the longstanding belief about how and when this occurred. Despite the considerable evidence attesting to them in the State Papers, Cromwell’s earliest responsibilities for the king – those concerning the Crown lands and King’s Works, his management of the Church, and financing war with Scotland – have never before been examined. Doing so enables a new assessment of Cromwell’s early career to be drawn, which challenges the prevailing belief that the break with Rome was vital in his becoming chief minister. Examination of Cromwell’s earliest activities in government then presents an intriguing perspective on Cromwell as an administrative reformer. And the first comprehensive account of his role in the Anglo-papal schism not only offers new insights into his role and influence over this, but questions the existing accounts of the politics of the 1530s. Contents Contents ............................................................................................................................... i List of Figures .................................................................................................................. ii Author’s Declaration ...................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ iv List of Abbreviations ....................................................................................................... v Note on Citations, Transcriptions and Dates .............................................................. vii Introduction...................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter One: London Lawyer and Merchant, c. 1520-1530 ........................................ 15 Chapter Two: Transition and Transformation: Entry in the King’s Service, 1529-1530 .............................................................................................. 65 Chapter Three: The Crown Lands and King’s Works ................................................ 86 Chapter Four: Cromwell and the English Church, 1531-1534 .................................... 138 Chapter Five: Royal Government ............................................................................... 195 Chapter Six: The Minister and his Household .......................................................... 232 Chapter Seven: The Break with Rome ......................................................................... 261 Conclusion: King and Minister ................................................................................. 300 Appendices ................................................................................................................... 312 Bibliography .................................................................................................................. 325 i List of Figures Figure 1: Thomas Cromwell after Hans Holbein the Younger, c. 1533. ............. 3 Figure 2: A Chancery Petition signed by Cromwell ......................................... 25 Figure 3: A Chancery Petition written wholly in Cromwell’s hand................. 26 Figure 4: Part of an arbitrational award by Cromwell and Rowland Lee. .......35 Figure 5: Thomas Cromwell’s Coat of Arms ..................................................... 69 Figure 6: Part of an account detailing the money paid to obtain lands and properties in King Street, Westminster ........................................... 106 Figure 7: The first page of Cromwell’s account B ........................................... 219 Figure 8: A section from Cromwell’s account C. ............................................ 220 Figure 9: Clerical grievances corrected and amended by Cromwell. ............. 273 Figure 10: Cromwell’s amendments to the preamble of the appeals act ...... 284 Figure 11: A clause added relating to the new appeals process ...................... 285 ii Academic Thesis: Declaration Of Authorship I, Michael Robert James Everett, declare that this thesis entitled ‘Qualities of a Royal Minister: Studies in the Rise of Thomas Cromwell, c. 1520 -1534’ and the work presented in it are my own and has been generated by me as the result of my own original research. I confirm that: 1. This work was done wholly or mainly while in candidature for a research degree at this University; 2. Where any part of this thesis has previously been submitted for a degree or any other qualification at this University or any other institution, this has been clearly stated; 3. Where I have consulted the published work of others, this is always clearly attributed; 4. Where I have quoted from the work of others, the source is always given. With the exception of such quotations, this thesis is entirely my own work; 5. I have acknowledged all main sources of help; 6. Where the thesis is based on work done by myself jointly with others, I have made clear exactly what was done by others and what I have contributed myself; 7. Either none of this work has been published before submission, or parts of this work have been published as: [please list references below]: Signed: Michael Everett Date: 8 October 2012 iii Acknowledgements First and foremost I would like to express thanks to both the University of Southampton and to the Arts and Humanities Research Council for generously awarding me a three-year scholarship. Without the financial support this provided I would have been unable to even contemplate this research. I should wish to put on record my thanks to the staff at the many archives I have had the pleasure of visiting. The staff at The National Archives and the British Library have been unfailingly helpful. Thanks should also go to Westminster Abbey Muniments, the Worshipful Company of Drapers, and to His Grace the Duke of Devonshire for allowing me to consult the Bolton Abbey Manuscript. I am also grateful to The National Portrait Gallery and the College of Arms for supplying me with two images. Support from the academic community at the University of Southampton has also enriched my time undertaking this thesis. I have benefitted from the support and guidance of Dr Janet Dickinson, Professor Mark Stoyle and Dr Joan Tumblety, as well as the friendship and support of Dr Adam Chapman and fellow postgraduates Tom Plant and Seb Buckle. To all their help and encouragement, I give thanks. Without doubt my greatest intellectual debt goes to my supervisor George Bernard. It was he who first suggested Cromwell as a topic to me, and his ever-questioning attitude toward the accepted orthodoxies of the Tudor period has been inspirational. He has read every draft which I sent him, and offered many helpful thoughts and comments. This thesis is immeasurably better thanks to his advice, knowledge and encouragement. The final note of thanks needs to go to my family, who have been a constant source of support throughout my whole time at university. My parents provided tremendous encouragement