The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell

• Ancient History
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• GCSE

The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to discuss the life and impact of Thomas Cromwell.

Introduce the learning objective to the students and explain why it is important to learn about Thomas Cromwell.

What do you already know about Thomas Cromwell?

Who was Thomas Cromwell?

Thomas Cromwell was a lawyer and chief minister to King Henry VIII during the 16th century.

Introduce Thomas Cromwell to the students and provide some background information about who he was and what he did.

Early Life

Cromwell was born in Putney, London in 1485. He left home at a young age and became a soldier before eventually finding work as a clerk.

Provide some information about Cromwell's early life and how he came to find work as a clerk.

Rise to Power

Cromwell rose to power after catching the attention of Cardinal Wolsey, who was then the chief advisor to King Henry VIII. Wolsey took Cromwell under his wing and helped him rise through the ranks of the royal court.

Explain how Cromwell became a powerful figure in the royal court and how he gained the favor of Cardinal Wolsey.

Chief Minister

After Wolsey's downfall, Cromwell became King Henry VIII's chief minister. He played a key role in the English Reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries.

Discuss Cromwell's role in the English Reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries.

Fall from Grace

Cromwell's fortunes changed when he arranged the marriage between King Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves. The marriage was a disaster and Cromwell was blamed for it. He was arrested, found guilty of treason, and executed in 1540.

Explain how Cromwell fell from grace and how he was eventually executed.

Legacy

Despite his downfall, Cromwell's legacy lives on. He is remembered as a key figure in the English Reformation and one of the most powerful men in English history.

Discuss Cromwell's legacy and how he is remembered today.

Discussion

What impact did Thomas Cromwell have on English history? What was his role in the English Reformation? Why was he executed?

Encourage students to discuss the impact of Thomas Cromwell and what they have learned from the lesson.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.