Thank you so much to Emilie and the super cute Nathaniel the dog for asking about the real relationship between Thomas Cromwell and his master, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.

 

Were the two men as close as they were shown in Wolf Hall? How did Cromwell feel about Wolsey's fall? You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBeAEJHvDNs

 

Historian Claire Ridgway answers these questions and also explains the history behind a scene in Hilary Mantel's second novel in the series, Bring Up the Bodies, in which Cromwell vows revenge on those involved in Wolsey's fall and in mocking him.

 

Here are links to read Cavendish’s two volume biography of Wolsey:

Volume 1 - https://archive.org/details/lifecardinalwol01presgoog/

Volume 2 - https://archive.org/details/dli.granth.37226