The Real Ruler of England Few people in history have been met with such controversy and confusion as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. His position within 16th century British hierarchy has been described by historians as everything from the "alter rex" (alternative King) to little more than a "hard-working servant"[1]. From his humble beginnings as the son of an Ipswich butcher, to his unrivalled position in the English church and almost omnipotence within England, Wolsey undoubtedly demonstrated extreme diplomacy, skill and charm. In an age where there was no social mobility Wolsey climbed, through religion, to extraordinary heights. Whether he was ever "The Real King of England", however, remains to be seen. Wolsey was appointed to the King's council in 1510: Henry an 18-year-old boy, eager for overseas glory and inspired by his ancestors, and especially victories by Henry V in France; Wolsey: an intelligent and now influential aide to Henry, power hungry and eager to please the young King. By telling Henry exactly what he wanted to hear in respect to restoring of the Plantagenet Empire[2], and preparing effectively and efficiently for this war, Wolsey's prominence grew. The ensuing spectacular victory (The Battle of the Spurs 1513) only echoed to Wolsey's usefulness to the King. Wolsey was willing to work whilst Henry played and shoulder the many administrative tasks of government. Henry once admitted, "Writing, to me, is somewhat tedious and painful"[3]. Wolsey understood that Henry wished England to become a major power alongside France and Spain, and was prepared to do everything in his power to make that come about. "No king... ... middle of paper ... ...working servant". Tom Paul[14] ------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] Alison Weir - Henry VIII: King and Court [2] Lost after the Hundred Years War ended in 1453 [3] Calendar of state papers: Spanish [4] Alison Weir - Henry VIII: King and Court [5] Giusiniani from Calendar of state papers: Venetian [6] Enclosure Commissions 1517 [7] A. F. Pollard - Wolsey [8] Letter to Wolsey from Henry VIII in 1519 [9] Polydore Virgil [10] The Concise Oxford Dictionary [11] Calendar of state papers: Venetian [12] From A. F. Pollard - Wolsey [13] A. F. Pollard - Wolsey [14] Bibliography A. F. Pollard - Wolsey Alison Weir - Henry VIII: King and Court Tudor Years - John Lotherington The Oxford Concise Dictionary
Power Corrupts Throughout the history of man, rulers and philosophers have proven that power corrupts. The British Historian Lord Acton observed that “power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Lord Acton statement is proven through the actions of rulers such as Charles I of England and Hitler. In a letter to his friend Lord Acton wrote that “power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely”. This quote describes how absolute power always becomes corrupt. Lord
Elizabeth: The Golden Age was an outstanding film that portrayed what it was like to be the queen of England at the time. The movie showed many different situations that a ruler of any country would have to face. The actress that played Elizabeth did a wonderful job portraying how Elizabeth would have acted with each decision she had to make to keep herself and others safe. Queen Elizabeth was the first tolerant queen. She allowed the people of her country to be whatever religion that they wanted
The English Romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, composed a political poem by the name of “England in 1819”. According to Percy, the sonnet provides a journalist kind of report on the state of England in 1819. The poem passionately attacks England’s oppressive ruling class, as the poet himself sees it. Shelley accuses the monarchy of tyranny with no true human compassion. A monarchy he condemns to include the army, the law, religion and senate (Percy). Described are the madness and blindness of the
International Standing Elizabeth Tudor was born in 1533 to King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Her life began in the midst of controversy and continued to be troubled until her death in 1603. Elizabeth, in reality, never should have been the ruler of Great Britain at all since she had several siblings in line for the throne ahead of her. After she was crowned queen at the age of 25, she successfully reigned for 45 years. Elizabeth increased English power and influence worldwide, handled sensitive
but I have the heart and stomach of a king-and a king of England too,” (“Elizabeth I” BBC). These were the words that came out of Queen Elizabeth’s mouth. She was the ruler of England from 1559 until her death in 1603. She was the daughter of King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. She was born on September 7, 1533 at the Greenwich Palace, London. (“Queen Elizabeth I” Royal). Elizabeth is best known for the Golden Age of England, also known as the Elizabethan Era (“Queen Elizabeth I” Bio)
for the revolutionary and defiant ideas he expressed in his works. Many of his writings such as "A Song: 'Men of England,'" "The Mask of Anarchy," and "Ozymandias," reflect his radical political approach to solving England's troubles. Although Shelley does not explicitly voice a cry for socialism, his poems do call for a proletarian response to the tyrannical leaders of England, yet he ultimately fails in sparking a revolution due to several contradictions as well as the fact that they remained
cross the Atlantic in an empty ship. This led to the triangle trade. In the triangle trade, crops like cotton, tobacco, and sugar from America were transported to England. From England textiles, rum and manufactured goods were transported to Africa. Then from Africa, slaves were transported to the Americas. Although these slaves were real human beings they were referred to as “cargo” and transported as such. There would be about 200 slaves in a single ship’s hold. In these holds, life was living hell
Golden Age. Her success was a result of her loyalty and devotion to her country. Moreover, she ruled a man’s world as a woman, earning the respect of many. Elizabeth I was the greatest English Renaissance ruler due to her leadership through the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the unification of England under Protestantism, and the use of her power to promote and patronize the performing arts. Elizabeth I had been hailed as the savior of the English people due to her victory at the Spanish Armada. Her
Rather than having one common language evolve independently and partition into two languages (that for the rulers, and that for the ruled), Russian relied on imports [Russian XIX]. Old Church Slavonic was imported north and became the official language of the church. Though the language was never an official administrative language, it retained influence in
After Macbeth brutally murders King Duncan for power and the title of King of Scotland, the country is in complete mayhem. Although the son of Duncan, Malcolm, has fled to England in order to remain safe from Macbeth’s dark intentions, he continues to stay strong and portray many specific attributes necessary to be a good ruler. In Act IV Scene iii of William Shakespeare’s famous Macbeth, Malcolm proves himself fit to be a successful king of Scotland. Malcolm certainly learned from his father’s
A monarchy is a state or nation in which the supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in a monarch, or a hereditary sole and absolute ruler of a state or nation, such as a king, queen, or emperor. Many monarch rulers believed in the Divine Right Theory of Kingship as it helped them to maintain absolutism, this is a political and religious doctrine of royal and political legitimacy. (Dictionary.com) It assures that a monarch is subject to no earthly authority. They receive the right to rule
Elizabeth Tudor may have been one of the greatest rulers of England. Elizabeth’s greatest successes include her influence during the times of the Renaissance, her influence on the Church of England, and her defeat of the mighty Spanish Armada. England prospered so incredibly during Elizabeth’s reign that this period was often referred to as the Golden Age. As queen, Elizabeth was a major influence over England. Her influences were cast upon the time of the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a period
used by English-speakers today, which is generally thought to mean either foreigners or Romanized people. Wales, like England in the Dark Ages, was a land of multiple kingships. The rugged terrain, with impenetrable mountain massifs and inhospitable upland ranges, broken by river valleys, did not make for a unified control or a unified development. The boundary with England was not marked by natural defences, and productive lowland areas as well as profitable upland pastures were open to frequent
King Richard II, despite his rich royal bloodline, is a failure in his role as King of England. As William Shakespeare introduces his readers to The Tragedy of King Richard the Second, the audience learns that while becoming king at an early age, King Richard becomes obsessed with the power and prestige that comes with the thrown and forsakes developing himself as a leader. The volatility and disorder produced from unethical, corrupt and incompetent behavior during King Richard’s reign are a direct
the rhinoceros “are not of that description of animals which suffer themselves to be taken by maidens, as out people suppose, but are of quite contrary nature” (Robin 1932:75). Dominican Friar Jordanus (1321) differentiated the rhinoceros from the real unicorn by