Was Dorothea in Wolf Hall: Mirror and the Light Really Cardinal Wolsey’s Daughter?
The Historical Truth Revealed
Episode 2 of Wolf Hall: Mirror and the Light explores Thomas Cromwell's Guilt Over Cardinal Wolsey’s Tragic End.
In episode 2 of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, we dig deeper into Thomas Cromwell’s (Mark Rylance) overwhelming guilt over the humiliating death of his mentor, Cardinal Wolsey (Jonathan Pryce).
A new layer of Wolsey’s personal life is revealed: he had an illegitimate daughter named Dorothea (played by Hannah Khalique Brown), born before his ascent to bishophood. She was placed in a convent for upbringing, a decision influenced by her father’s ecclesiastical status.
The episode portrays Cromwell as haunted by Wolsey’s demise even years later, imagining conversations with the late cardinal. His fixation leads him to locate Dorothea, culminating in an unexpected and controversial proposal.
Cromwell offers the young nun a marriage of convenience—promising financial stability and companionship without necessarily requiring intimacy. However, Dorothea sharply rejects the offer, delivering a scathing rebuke. She accuses Cromwell of betraying Wolsey during his final days, leaving him shaken and reflective.
It’s a strikingly emotional moment, but how much of it reflects historical reality? Let’s uncover the facts behind Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light’s portrayal of Dorothea and her ties to Wolsey and Cromwell.
Yes, historical evidence supports the idea that Cardinal Wolsey had an illegitimate daughter named Dorothy (spelled Dorothea in the series).
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