Did Thomas Cromwell Really Have an Illegitimate Daughter called Jenneke?
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light drops another bombshell on viewers. *SPOILERS FOR EPISODE 3*
The latest episode of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light introduced viewers to Jenneke, a character who claims to be Thomas Cromwell's illegitimate daughter. Played by Ellie de Lange, Jenneke’s unexpected revelation left both Cromwell (Mark Rylance) and the audience stunned, sparking curiosity about her origins. But how much of this storyline is based on historical fact, and how much is Hilary Mantel’s creative license?
Who is Jenneke in Wolf Hall?
In Episode 3, titled Defiance, Jenneke arrives at Cromwell’s home after waiting outside for two days. When invited in, she speaks of her mother, Anselma, a woman Cromwell clearly knows from his past. During their conversation, Jenneke reveals: “You are [my father]. Look at me, do you not see yourself?” Cromwell is visibly shaken by the revelation.
Jenneke claims to have grown up in Antwerp and hints at a complicated past involving her mother. This confrontation adds emotional depth to Cromwell, a man otherwise portrayed as steely and pragmatic, raising questions about his personal life.
The Historical Reality…
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