"Much joy and favour to you; you are the King’s now": Cardinal Wolsey as a Domestic Patron

Abstract

This article explores the secular, political role of Renaissance cardinals, through an analysis of the domestic agenda of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey as Lord Chancellor of England from 1515 to 1529, while positioning him within the context of his near contemporary English and continental cardinal-politicians. Rather than looking to Wolsey’s involvement in foreign affairs, the article explores his use of domestic patronage in the early sixteenth century, in particular his promotion of select individuals for preferment within the structure of early Tudor government; it is particularly concerned with the selection of personnel for Somerset's commissions of the peace. The article stresses the importance of the household in selecting these individuals and discusses how these relationships were created and maintained. The article also explores Wolsey’s attitude towards the nobility and considers whether his attitude towards Somerset can shed any light on whether he was hostile towards the aristocracy. Indeed, the article demonstrates that Wolsey sought an alternative to dominant forces within the county structure. Instead, Wolsey looked to employ a broad group of reliable local knights rather than electing to forge a relationship with a single county representative. What seems clear is that the greater gentry very much acted as the crown’s enforcers within the county, largely in the hope of positioning themselves to receive royal and ministerial patronage in the form of land and office. Finally, the article highlights the significant changes to the composition of England's governing classes after Wolsey’s fall, with a clear shift from clerical to secular personnel.