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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Thomas Cromwell
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(c.1485–1540, earl of Essex 1540) Chief minister of *Henry VIII during the 1530s. His life, like that of *Wolsey, demonstrates the high level both of opportunity and risk in any Tudor career. Cromwell, whose father is variously described as a London blacksmith, brewer or clothmaker, rose in Wolsey's service. He then followed his master as the king's counsellor, completing the break with Rome through the Act of *Supremacy and enriching the royal coffers by the *dissolution of the monasteries. He had meanwhile vastly improved the central administration, laying the basis for what was in effect a civil service.
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His mistake was to press upon Henry a German alliance, personified in *Anne of Cleves who proved personally displeasing to the king. This error of judgement, combined with hostility to him from a conservative faction at court, was sufficient to lead to Cromwell's downfall. He was executed as a heretic and traitor less than four months after being created earl of Essex.
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