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Cardinal Wolsey resigns the Great Seal
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Cardinal Wolsey resigns the Great Seal
Cardinal Wolsey, by order of Henry VIII, resigning the Great Seal
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Media ID 14400166
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Altar Cardinal Clergy Clergyman Clergymen Downfall Order Power Resign Resignation Seal Tudor Viii Wolsey Resigning
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This evocative image captures the poignant moment of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey's resignation of the Great Seal to King Henry VIII in 1529. Wolsey, a powerful and influential clergyman in Tudor England, served as the king's chief advisor and Lord Chancellor for over two decades. However, his fall from grace began when he failed to secure an annulment of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon, which led to accusations of heresy and treason. In this painting, Wolsey is depicted in the act of relinquishing the Great Seal, a symbol of his political power and authority, to the king. The cardinal is shown wearing his full regalia, including a red robe and a mitre adorned with a cross, as he stands before an altar and a table laden with religious symbols. Henry VIII, dressed in a simple gown, sits on a chair, his expression stern and unyielding. The atmosphere is heavy with tension and foreboding, as the clergyman's downfall marks a significant shift in the balance of power in Tudor England. The painting offers a glimpse into the complex political and religious landscape of the Tudor period, and the role of the clergy and clergymen in shaping the course of history. Wolsey's resignation marked the beginning of the end for the powerful cardinal, who was later arrested, tried, and executed for treason. The image serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of power and the consequences of political miscalculation and religious dissent in the Tudor court.
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