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Why Did Henry VIII Betray Cardinal Wolsey? | Henry VIII's First Minister

Historic Royal Palaces

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Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was merely the son of a butcher from Ipswich, yet he rose to become one of the most powerful men in Tudor England as Lord Chancellor to Henry VIII. He was even known as ‘The Other King’, and built a palace to rival Henry’s - Hampton Court.

In this first episode of a new series on the Historic Royal Palaces Podcast, Tracy Borman is joined by historian Elizabeth Norton in the Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace. They explore Wolsey’s rise to power, the Reformation, Anne Boleyn’s influence, and his ultimate fall from Henry VIII’s favour.

How powerful was the Cardinal? Who was responsible for his fall? And what legacy did he leave behind?

You can find more episodes of the Historic Royal Palaces Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/64ORUgr...
Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...

Read more about Cardinal Wolsey and see inside Hampton Court on our Website: https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-...

Image Credits:

The Disgrace of Cardinal Wolsey by John Pettie (1839–1893). Licensed through Alamy.
Waynflete's Tower, Esher, Surrey. Photograph by Jonathan Foyle, built.org.uk.
Cardinal Wolsey Refusing to Deliver up the Seals of His Office by Daniel Maclise (1806–1870). Winchester City’s Topographical Art Collection.
Thomas Wolsey by unknown artist. © National Portrait Gallery, London
Cardinal Wolsey at the Gate of Leicester Abbey by Charles West Cope (1811-90). © Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd 2025 | Royal Collection Trust
Henry VIII after Hans Holbein the Younger. © Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd 2025 | Royal Collection Trust
Sir Thomas More, 1527 by Hans Holbein the Younger (German, 1497/1498–1543). The Frick Collection, New York. Image © The Frick Collection
Thomas Cromwell ,1532-33 by Hans Holbein the Younger (German, 1497/1498–1543). The Frick Collection, New York. Image © The Frick Collection
Henry VII. Attributed to British School, 16th century. © Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd 2025 | Royal Collection Trust
King Henry VIII by Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist. © National Portrait Gallery, London
The Dismissal of Cardinal Wolsey by Laslett John Pott (1837–1898). Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery via Art UK.
The Field of the Cloth of Gold c. 1545. British School, 16th century. © Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd 2025 | Royal Collection Trust
The Meeting of Henry VIII and the Emperor Maximilian I c. 1513. Flemish School, 16th century. © Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd 2025 | Royal Collection Trust
The Battle of the Spurs c. 1513-47. Flemish School, 16th century. © Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd 2025 | Royal Collection Trust
Wolsey’s College gate in Ipswich. Licensed through Alamy.
Anne Boleyn by Unknown English artist. © National Portrait Gallery, London
Thomas Howard, Third Duke of Norfolk (1473-1554) by Hans Holbein. © Royal Collection Enterprises Ltd 2025 | Royal Collection Trust

20 Comments

@nerfatari4289 5 months ago

I would have been extremely nervous to be anywhere on Henry's radar 😅

@MonsieurChapeau 4 months ago

It blows my mind that Wolsey as a commoner has much better taste than the tudor monarchs themselves

@ESmith-ik8vu 4 months ago

Tracy Borman is a gem. She does ask the right questions, and she's not self-promoting and thereby quenching the subject, but rather matter-of-fact like. More of her, please.

@jaggybee4704 4 months ago

I desperately wish there were more of these biographies in this playlist. I love this.

@jacquialeksovski9408 5 months ago

Tracy never fails to impress me with her immaculate and interesting dialogue.

@jasonmorris3533 4 months ago

I think the trio of Tommy's would be at peace knowing we're still admiring their intelligence and cunning brilliance through these centuries later.. and knowing that we all see their king for his real horribly cruel narcissistic self

@dinkohrvat344 5 months ago

Tracy Borman is so delightful. I would love to meet her and talk Tudor !!!

@peternakitch4167 5 months ago

Henry VIII showed his form early on in 1509 or 1510 when he threw his father’s ministers, Empson and Dudley to the wolves and had them executed for treason. A tactic he used repeatedly throughout his reign to those who got in his way, displeased him or were inconvenient; once they were no longer useful he always found a pretext for their destruction or green lit the efforts of others in the same. Wolsey died prematurely before he could be put through a show trial and axed.

@EsmereldaWeatherwax-f1s 3 months ago

Thomas Wolsey's father was a successful businessman and landowner. A man we would regard today as middle class.

@birgercha3 5 months ago (edited)

I don’t think there was anything Wolsey could do. When Henry was done with someone, he really was done……sort of.

@AlisonBrown-c8l 5 months ago

Thank you for this pod cast. I had the utter joy of going to the Holbein exhibition and looking at these astounding men. To stand amongst these paintings and realise how many were executed.

@Localgirl88 5 months ago (edited)

British history is so interesting. I enjoyed learning about this, can't wait to watch more. Love from America 🇺🇸

@spontaneous_kat 5 months ago

I love this video and I can’t wait for the episodes following! So interesting to learn more and I love that you’re sat in Hampton court palace!! 😍❤️

@bubugullapalli1534 5 months ago

All those people who were close with Henry VIII , were either beheaded, abandoned.

@mayach5092 5 months ago

Fascinating episode. Thomas Wolsey deserves more research and recognition ❤

@ViggosLady 5 months ago

I have always through Wolsey was a prime example of starting at the bottom and working your way to the top. He showed what intelligence, determination, and a fierce will can achieve.

@paulahillier1390 1 month ago

Alison Weir wrote a great historical fiction novel called "The Cardinal". It is really good.

@nataliebocock5961 5 months ago

Utterly fascinating. Boy did Elizabeth Norton know her stuff. Henry 8th has a lot to answer for. And wow didnt he have a short memory of those who helped him. Awful Man.

@jacquialeksovski9408 5 months ago

Elizabeth Norton is also a wonderful lady to listen to.

I’ve always thought the great hall at Hampton court is much smaller than I thought it would be.