Thomas Wolsey, Cardinal Archbishop of York (l. c. 1473-1530 CE) served as Lord Chancellor to Henry VIII of England (r. 1509-1547 CE) from around 1513 CE to 1529 CE. Wolsey rose to become the most powerful man in England after the king, he created the Chancery court, worked with some success at England's foreign policy, and famously built Hampton Court Palace near London. Unable to secure from the Pope the annulment of Henry's first marriage to Catherine of Aragon (1485-1536 CE), Wolsey fell out of favour with his friend and monarch. Accused of treason, the cardinal was already seriously ill when he died on his way to imprisonment and trial in November 1530 CE.
More about: Thomas WolseyDefinition
Timeline
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c. 1473Birth of Thomas Wolsey, future Cardinal Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor to Henry VIII of England.
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1509Thomas Wolsey is appointed the royal almoner (giver of alms).
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1509 - 1547Reign of Henry VIII of England.
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c. 1513 - 1529Cardinal Thomas Wolsey serves as Lord Chancellor to Henry VIII of England.
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1514Thomas Wolsey buys and develops Hampton Court Palace.
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Mar 1514Thomas Wolsey is appointed the bishop of Lincoln.
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Sep 1514Thomas Wolsey is appointed archbishop of York.
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1515The Pope makes Thomas Wolsey a cardinal.
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1518England, France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire sign a mutual defence agreement.
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1518Cardinal Thomas Wolsey is made a papal legate.
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Jun 1520The Field of the Cloth of Gold pageant is held just outside Calais for Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France.
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1524Cardinal Thomas Wolsey is given legate powers for life.
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1524Thomas Cromwell joins the household of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.
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1525The Treaty of More renews friendly relations between England and France.
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1525Cardinal Thomas Wolsey introduces an unpopular new tax, the Amicable Grant. It is abandoned after several rebellions.
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1529Cardinal Thomas Wolsey is dismissed from the Privy Council and as Lord Chancellor for his failure in Henry VIII of England's 'Great Matter'.
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Jun 1529Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio presides over a special court to decide the annulment of the first marriage of Henry VIII of England. No decision is reached.
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1530Cardinal Thomas Wolsey dies of ill health on his way to trial for treason against Henry VIII of England.
