Did Wolf Hall’s Thomas Cromwell Really Feel Guilty About Anne Boleyn’s Death?

In episode 4 of the long-awaited new series of Wolf Hall, “The Mirror and the Light”, events are taking a bleak turn for Thomas Cromwell. In contrast to the 9-year-old Wolf Hall season 1, which dramatizes his climb to power and influence, season 2 is about his downfall. Part of this is dramatized by repeated flashbacks to Anne Boleyn’s execution in Wolf Hall season 1, as well as disturbing scenes of her ghost supposedly haunting him.

The ghost of Anne implies a guilty conscience. A big part of the storytelling of the show, and indeed its source material by Hillary Mantel, is filling in the blanks. It brings history to life by imagining the stoic Cromwell’s hidden personal feelings. However, it is fair for viewers to question whether he truly felt guilty about what he did to Anne – especially after other historically questionable details in Wolf Hall such as his attitude to Lady Mary’s illegitimacy.

Cromwell Was Commissioned By The King To Prosecute Anne Boleyn

Cromwell Confirmed His Instructions To The Spanish Ambassador

Some historians suggest that Cromwell’s cunning and ruthless nature may have played a role in Anne Boleyn’s downfall. While they were once allies, a falling out led to speculation that Cromwell orchestrated a plot against her. However, given Cromwell’s ambition and desire to please the king, it’s more likely that he was merely following Henry’s orders to fabricate accusations against Anne. This theory is supported by a letter from Cromwell to the Spanish ambassador.

He confirms that his involvement in Anne’s prosecution was commissioned by the King to enable Henry’s marriage to Jane Seymour. Cromwell was clearly instructed to bring closure to Anne’s case. The ambassador, Eustace Chapuys, recalled this in a letter to the Emperor:

“He, himself had been authorised and commissioned by the King to prosecute and bring to an end the mistress’s trial, to do which he had taken considerable trouble…”

– via

British History

While it is unclear what Cromwell’s personal feelings were about bringing an end to Anne Boleyn, it is clear he had no hesitation to carry out the King’s instructions. In 1536, Cromwell took decisive action against Anne. The Queen, her brother, and a small group of courtiers were accused of adultery and plotting against the King’s life (per HRP). Many historians theorize that most if not all of the charges against Anne Boleyn were falsified – it also helped that, regardless of her efforts to help the poor, she was relatively disliked by the public during her reign.

Thomas Cromwell And Anne Boleyn Were No Longer Allies

Cromwell Was No Longer Interested In Anne’s Plight

One thing that could complicate the picture Wolf Hall paints is that they were no longer allies. As dramatized in the show, Cromwell was ruthless. Throughout season 1, he has squashed enemies. By season 2, they are closing in. By the time Anne was accused, she and Cromwell were feuding. This is partly because of a dispute over monastic sales. Anne Boleyn felt strongly that this money should go to the poor; however, Cromwell ensured it was put in the royal coffers instead (per HRP). This is very different to their relationship early in Anne’s reign.

Cromwell originally smoothed the path to marriage for Anne and Henry. As the King’s chief secretary, he modernized government administration and played a pivotal role in securing Henry VIII’s annulment from Catherine of Aragon. Anne Boleyn, a shrewd political operator, recognized Cromwell’s potential and made him her confidant. Their shared ambition and religious beliefs strengthened their alliance (per Tudor Times). However, Anne and Cromwell’s relationship was tumultuous, marked by public disagreements. Anne had even threatened Cromwell’s life, and an ambassador warned him of her potential to ruin his career, much like she had done to Wolsey.

Wolf Hall Season 2 Dramatizes Thomas Cromwell’s Downfall After Anne’s Death

The Show Weaves A Poetic Parallel Between Thomas And Anne

In season 2 of Wolf Hall, it seems like Cromwell is only haunted by Anne’s death when he is on the way down himself. Previously, there had been repeated references to his material achievements. Then, in episode 3, the seed of falsified evidence is planted to implicate him in a conspiracy to marry Wolf Hall’s Lady Mary. It seems the only way is down. The tipping point was Anne’s execution, which restored him to the King’s fragile favor. He had no personal reason to extend a life raft to the struggling Anne, so he drowned her to keep himself afloat.

Cromwell had only backed Anne’s cause as long as it was useful to the King. As soon as he saw an opportunity to take down the powerful Boleyns seemed like a threat to him, he took it. Now, it seems, his influence on the King is beginning to wane. The King is only good toward Cromwell as long as he is useful. The tense chess scene between Henry and Thomas underscores this intricate political maneuvering within the court in Wolf Hall, hinting at the shifting power dynamics that will ultimately lead to Cromwell’s demise.

Source: British History, HRP, Tudor Times

Wolf Hall is a historical drama series starring Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell. Set in the early 16th century, it chronicles Cromwell’s rise to power in the court of King Henry VIII, played by Damian Lewis. The series is an adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novels “Wolf Hall” and “Bring Up the Bodies,” depicting the political maneuvers and personal drama of the Tudor era.

Cast

Mark Rylance , Damian Lewis , Claire Foy , Thomas Brodie-Sangster , Joss Porter

Release Date

January 21, 2015

Creator(s)

Peter Straughan , Peter Kosminsky , Hilary Mantel

Seasons

1