Did Thomas Cromwell murder Cardinal Bainbridge for Wolsey? Wolf Hall explained

As a devoted admirer of historical dramas, I find myself deeply engrossed in the captivating narrative of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light. The latest episode, with its intricate plot twists and masterful character development, leaves me on the edge of my seat. The portrayal of Thomas Cromwell’s life is nothing short of riveting, and his character’s resilience in the face of adversity is truly inspiring.

In episode 4 of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, a gathering that was supposed to bring peace turns out to be quite the opposite. The chasm between Cromwell and his adversaries deepens, and a harmful allegation surfaces, intensifying the tension.

In recent times, Cromwell seems to be standing on uncertain terrain, as whispers in the royal court hint at his intention to wed Lady Lilit Lesser, the young princess, with ambitions to ascend the English throne at some point in the future.

The rumour is false, of course, but that doesn’t make it any less threatening to Cromwell’s position, with an additional charge of murder now being floated by his nemesis, Stephen Gardiner (Alex Jennings), the Bishop of Winchester.

It’s suggested that the surprising assertion might have an impact on Cromwell’s ultimate fall, as he is too ill to deliver his usual robust responses at this time, thus raising the intriguing question.

In the dramatic finale of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, some spectators may ponder whether Thomas Cromwell actually committed a murder while serving under Cardinal Wolsey in Antwerp to bolster his power – let’s examine the details of the incident instead.

Did Thomas Cromwell murder Cardinal Bainbridge for Wolsey?

In the book “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light” during episode 4, it’s proposed that Thomas Cromwell had a part in Cardinal Bainbridge’s murder. However, no solid proof supports this claim.

Instead, that theory about Bainbridge’s poisoning, while seemingly improbable, could be one possibility as depicted in the recent episode of the highly praised Tudor series on BBC.

Back at that intense dinner gathering, I couldn’t help but ponder over the fact that Bainbridge succeeded Cardinal Wolsey as the Archbishop of York before Cromwell’s mentor met his end. It certainly adds an air of mystery to his demise, doesn’t it?

In July 1514, Rinaldo de Modena, a priest, secretly poisoned Bainbridge. He later accused Silvestro de’ Gigli, the Bishop of Worcester, of having encouraged him to do so.

It’s possible that Gigli devised the plan independently, given his perception of Bainbridge as a potential danger to his own standing. However, being a trusted confidant of Cardinal Wolsey for a long time sparked speculation about a more extensive conspiracy at play.

In the end, my suspicions proved unfounded, as Gigli managed to make Modena recant his confession, then had him silenced permanently – all without a single charge being brought against either of them. Later, they simply labeled Modena as mad.

Although there’s no documented proof linking Thomas Cromwell to the murder of Bainbridge, it’s worth noting that during his youth, he served as a mercenary. This background implies he might have been skilled in violent acts, including potentially murder.

Nevertheless, it seems that the accusation against Cromwell was strategically aimed to further tarnish an image that was already in decline, as Gardiner finally takes action to seize control from him, aiming to supplant his position.

Read More

2024-12-03 16:34