Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 2: Henry VIII and Cromwell, 1529–40 - 4 The fall of Cromwell:…
Full specification wording
Option B3: Key topic 2: Henry VIII and Cromwell, 1529–40 - 4 The fall of Cromwell: Reasons for Cromwell’s fall from power in 1540, including the influence of the Duke of Norfolk and the failure of the marriage to Anne of Cleves.
Thomas Cromwell’s fall in 1540 was driven by foreign policy failures, religious tensions, and factional politics.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Thomas Cromwell’s fall in 1540 was driven by foreign policy failures, religious tensions, and factional politics. The catalyst was the disastrous marriage he arranged between Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves to secure a Protestant alliance. Henry found Anne repulsive, and the alliance became unnecessary when the pact between France and the Holy Roman Empire broke down, removing the threat of a joint Catholic invasion. This failure was exploited by the conservative faction led by the Duke of Norfolk. Norfolk, who despised Cromwell's low birth and Protestant sympathies, poisoned Henry's mind, accusing Cromwell of treason and heresy. Norfolk also introduced his young Catholic niece, Catherine Howard, to Henry, accelerating Cromwell's execution.
What earns the marks
- Explain how the failure of the Anne of Cleves marriage damaged Cromwell's relationship with Henry VIII.
- Describe the role of the Duke of Norfolk and the conservative faction in plotting against Cromwell.
- Identify the accusations of treason and heresy used to justify Cromwell's arrest and execution.
- Explain the religious context, noting Henry's return to more conservative Catholic doctrines (Act of Six Articles) which isolated the reformist Cromwell.
- Assess how Norfolk used Catherine Howard to distract and influence the King against Cromwell.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating Cromwell was executed solely because Henry thought Anne of Cleves was ugly.
Put it right: While the marriage was a catalyst, Cromwell's fall was heavily driven by the political plotting of the Duke of Norfolk and accusations of heresy.
Confusing the Duke of Norfolk with the Duke of Suffolk.
Put it right: It was Thomas Howard, the Duke of Norfolk, who led the conservative faction against Cromwell.
Believing Cromwell was given a fair trial.
Put it right: Cromwell was condemned by an Act of Attainder, meaning he was executed without a trial.
Exam tips
- Link the failure of the Cleves marriage to the changing foreign policy situation to show a deeper understanding of the context.
- Emphasise the role of factionalism at court, specifically the rivalry between the reformist Cromwell and the conservative Duke of Norfolk.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option B3: Key topic 2: Henry VIII and Cromwell, 1529–40 - 4 The fall of Cromwell: Reasons for Cromwell’s fall from power in 1540, including the influence of the Duke of Norfolk and the failure of the marriage to Anne of Cleves. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which foreign princess did Thomas Cromwell arrange for Henry VIII to marry in 1540, contributing to Cromwell's fall from power?
Listen
Thomas Cromwell’s fall in 1540 was driven by foreign policy failures, religious tensions, and factional politics. The catalyst was the disastrous marriage he arranged between Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves to secure a Protestant alliance. Henry found Anne repulsive, and the alliance became unnecessary when the pact between France and the Holy Roman Empire broke down, removing the threat of a joint Catholic invasion. This failure was exploited by the conservative faction led by the Duke of Norfolk. Norfolk, who despised Cromwell's low birth and Protestant sympathies, poisoned Henry's mind, accusing Cromwell of treason and heresy. Norfolk also introduced his young Catholic niece, Catherine Howard, to Henry, accelerating Cromwell's execution. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain how the failure of the Anne of Cleves marriage damaged Cromwell's relationship with Henry VIII. Describe the role of the Duke of Norfolk and the conservative faction in plotting against Cromwell. Identify the accusations of treason and heresy used to justify Cromwell's arrest and execution. Explain the religious context, noting Henry's return to more conservative Catholic doctrines (Act of Six Articles) which isolated the reformist Cromwell. A common slip: Stating Cromwell was executed solely because Henry thought Anne of Cleves was ugly. Instead, While the marriage was a catalyst, Cromwell's fall was heavily driven by the political plotting of the Duke of Norfolk and accusations of heresy. Exam tip: Link the failure of the Cleves marriage to the changing foreign policy situation to show a deeper understanding of the context.
Key words
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Factionalism and court politics
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Marriage and succession
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Religion and reform
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See every definition
- Factionalism and court politics
- Rivalry at court between the reformist Cromwell and the conservative faction led by the Duke of Norfolk, who exploited Cromwell's failures to plot against him.
- Marriage and succession
- The marriage Cromwell arranged between Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves to secure a Protestant alliance, which failed and damaged Cromwell's relationship with the King.
- Religion and reform
- Henry's return to more conservative Catholic doctrines, which isolated the reformist Cromwell and left him accused of heresy.
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