Did Thomas Cromwell love Princess Mary Tudor? Wolf Hall explained
"Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light" delves into the intricate historical persona of Thomas Cromwell, portrayed by Mark Rylance, and creatively explores his interactions with other influential figures of the time.
Readers should note that Hilary Mantel's celebrated books don't stick strictly to historical facts. Instead, they take creative liberties at times to create an engaging story set in the Tudor era.
However, there is proof that backs up the loyalties and feelings that Cromwell is shown to have in the series and its new sequel, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, available on BBC One and iPlayer.
In season 2, one of the key relationships examined more closely is between Cromwell and Princess Mary Tudor. At the beginning of this segment, Mary's status is put to the test due to her father's divorce from Catherine of Aragon and his split from the Catholic Church.
Did Cromwell's behavior towards Mary Tudor indicate love or a desire to marry her? Here's some background on the events that influenced the story behind Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.
Agnes O’Casey portrays Lady Margaret Douglas, while Lilit Lesser takes on the role of Princess Mary. Photo by Playground Entertainment/Nick Briggs.
There is no proof to indicate that Thomas Cromwell had romantic feelings for Mary Tudor.
Similarly, there is no evidence to suggest that he ever assured the dying Catherine of Aragon that he would safeguard her daughter from danger once she could no longer help her.
Nevertheless, Mantel didn't just pull these storylines from nowhere.
Instead, it seems that the novelist drew inspiration from Cromwell's admiration for the queen. He remarked about her (as noted by historian Maria Micaela Prendergast): "If she weren't a woman, she would have stood up to all the great figures in history."
This perspective might come from the reality that Catherine was married to King Henry VIII for an incredible 25 years. During that time, she also fought against attempts to annul the marriage, which shocked the Roman Catholic Church.
It's reasonable to think that Cromwell's attempts to reinstate Mary in the line of succession were partly driven by his respect for the former queen, or maybe even feelings of guilt for having annulled her marriage.
Regarding Mary, it's accurate to say that Cromwell had some form of partnership – possibly even a connection – with the young princess. However, it’s very unlikely that this was romantic in nature.
Mark Rylance portrays Thomas Cromwell in "Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light," a production by the BBC, captured by Nick Briggs.
In "Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light," Cromwell was key in convincing Mary to support King Henry VIII's contentious control over the Church of England.
She had held off on responding to those requests for a while, putting her safety – or even her life – at serious risk.
It's well-documented that the couple corresponded frequently throughout the years. According to diplomat Eustace Chapuys, he expressed a desire to give her a gift, but the king took a liking to it and ended up taking it for himself (as mentioned in the Renaissance English History Podcast).
One of the claims that contributed to Cromwell's fall from power was that he intended to marry Princess Mary. However, because of the widespread deceit at King Henry VIII's court, we can't treat this allegation as true.
It's probable that the story was made up to remove him from the scene once the king turned against him. However, any friendly connection between Cromwell and Mary could have contributed to the gossip gaining traction among those who were accusing him.
By providing your information, you are accepting our terms of service and privacy policy. You can opt out whenever you wish.
"Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light" will debut on BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
Explore additional content related to Drama or head over to our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to discover what shows are airing. If you want to hear from the biggest names in television, tune into The Radio Times Podcast.
