What happened after Thomas Cromwell?

Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall Trilogy dramatically ends with Cromwell's execution, but his legacy changed England's course for centuries.

Thomas Cromwell, c. 1532–3, attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger

Hilary Mantel's "Wolf Hall" trilogy, culminating in "The Mirror & the Light," delves deeply into Cromwell's psyche, portraying his final days with profound empathy. Mantel's narrative captures Cromwell's reflections and the political machinations leading to his downfall, offering readers a nuanced perspective on his character. The novel's closing passages, detailing Cromwell's last thoughts, have been described as devastating, highlighting Mantel's ability to humanize historical figures.

In interviews, Mantel has discussed the challenges of writing Cromwell's execution scene, noting that while the project was difficult, it wasn't due to an inability to write about his death. She had originally hoped to publish the book in 2018, it did not appear until March 2020.

After Thomas Cromwell's execution in 1540, King Henry VIII initially believed in his minister's guilt, even mocking him by referring to the knave in card games as "Cromwell." However, Henry soon realized the depth of his mistake. Reports suggest that within months, he lamented to his ministers that they had led him to execute his most faithful servant.

Portrait of Henry VIII, oil on wood by Hans Holbein the Younger, c. 1537

Thomas Cromwell’s execution marked a turning point in English history, but it did not undo the transformative changes he had championed. The Reformation continued to progress, the Church of England grew stronger, and his administrative innovations endured. While his dramatic fall illustrates the perils of serving a volatile king, …