What happened to Wolf Hall’s major figures after The Mirror and The Light?

As I delve into the lives of these fascinating characters from the Tudor era, it’s impossible not to be awestruck by their resilience and the impact they had on history. Each one lived through times of great change, navigating political intrigue, religious upheaval, and personal tragedy with unwavering determination.

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve just concluded my captivating journey with “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light” on BBC One and iPlayer. This masterpiece portrayed the dramatic descent of Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance), hinting at historical events that unfolded thereafter.

I’m sorry, but it seems the acclaimed novels by the late author Hilary Mantel concentrate on Cromwell’s time as Henry VIII’s chief advisor during his reign. Therefore, there are no more stories to be told in this series, offering a comprehensive portrayal of Tudor era life.

If you’re curious about what happened to some important characters from Wolf Hall following the incidents described in The Mirror and The Light, you’ve landed on the perfect spot!

Indeed, it was a period full of surprises, where certain individuals managed to keep their advantageous status despite overwhelming circumstances. On the other hand, some found themselves in dire straits, under the command of King Henry VIII, who was known for his fierce temper and thirst for power (played by Damian Lewis).

Subsequently, let’s not forget about the king himself, who unfortunately saw his later years lose their regal grace due to a quick deterioration in health. For further insight into events following Wolf Hall, delve into The Mirror and The Light.

King Henry VIII

After Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, it is thought that Henry VIII experienced regret over executing Cromwell, as the individuals who took his place were unable to satisfy the monarch’s demands as effectively as Cromwell had done.

In the final installment of “The Mirror and The Light,” it became clear that discord arose once Cromwell was absent, as Henry engaged in wars against Scotland and France, bringing the nation close to financial ruin. Simultaneously, Henry’s excessive weight took a toll on his health.

In the year 1547, he passed away at the age of 55. It’s believed that he was afflicted by boils, gout, and a leg wound from a jousting accident, as portrayed in Wolf Hall, which may have contributed to his demise.

It’s possible that Henry’s mental deterioration is attributable to a head injury sustained during the same event, or else it might be due to a hereditary disorder like McLeod Syndrome.

Discover more: Wolf Hall rehabilitates Anne of Cleves’ reputation by presenting an alternate, significant perspective of King Henry VIII.

Thomas Howard, the Duke of Norfolk

After “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light,” what transpired with Thomas Howard, the Duke of Norfolk?

Regardless of his part in arranging the unfortunate marriages of two of his nieces to King Henry VIII, who both lost their lives (by beheading), Thomas Howard managed to stay alive. This was because he had no problem distancing himself from the young women he had essentially handed over to face potential danger.

As Henry’s rule neared its end, Howard lost the position of Duke of Norfolk and was jailed since his son was under suspicion for treason. Remarkably, he managed to dodge execution yet again when Henry passed away during the course of the inquiry.

“I served a term of six years in prison. However, after Mary I ascended the throne, I was granted clemency and released. My remaining days were spent back in the court’s good graces. Regrettably, I fell ill and passed away between the ages of 80 and 81, an unusually long life for that era.

Catherine Howard

After the events of “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light,” Catherine Howard met a tragic end. She was beheaded due to her marriage to King Henry VIII being declared invalid, marking another victim in his tumultuous rule.

In simpler terms, when he got married, his fifth wife was still young, barely a teenager. Her challenging childhood meant she didn’t receive an adequate education fitting for a woman of nobility, and this significantly widened the vast power disparity within their marriage.

There’s a chance that Howard might have been involved romantically with Thomas Culpeper, who was a close friend of Henry’s, but it’s also suggested that their connection could have been purely political in nature according to certain historians.

Regardless, they each gave their final sacrifice for it – Culpeper was the first in December of 1541, while Howard’s execution occurred about two months later.

Gregory Cromwell

What became of Gregory Cromwell post-Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light? Given the fall of Thomas Cromwell, Gregory and his wife, Elizabeth, found themselves in a vulnerable position as they may have also been suspected of treachery.

Thankfully, following several months of uncertainty and the prospect of long-term homelessness, Gregory was granted a title as a baron. For the rest of his life, he actively served in the House of Lords. He passed away in 1551 due to sweating sickness, a puzzling ailment that hasn’t been documented since its last significant outbreak that same year.

Ralph Sadler

After the events depicted in “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light”, Ralph Sadler managed to lead an extended and prosperous existence despite his ties to Thomas Cromwell.

Despite being apprehended in the tumultuous time that ensued after his mentor’s death, he managed to secure his release swiftly by presenting a robust defense of his innocence. During the court cases involving his monarch’s fifth wife, Catherine Howard, he once again found favor with King Henry VIII.

In an unusual event during the Tudor era, Sadler was part of the story when the ailing young king Edward VI, who was Henry VIII’s heir, tried to exclude his half-sisters from the line of succession.

Rather than claiming the throne himself, he intended to bestow it upon his cousin, Lady Jane Grey, as a bold move to preserve Protestantism’s prominence in England. However, Mary Tudor and her followers swiftly thwarted this plan, overthrowing Jane after just nine days of reign.

Given that Sadler signed a will aiming to undermine Mary I’s claim to the throne, it’s not unexpected that he lost favor during her reign. However, after keeping a low profile for some time, his fortunes changed upon Elizabeth I’s ascension, and he was once again promoted to a prominent position.

In 1587, Sadler died of an unknown cause, aged between 79 and 80.

Bishop Stephen Gardiner

After Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, how did things turn out for Stephen Gardiner? This formidable adversary of Cromwell saw his fortunes wane during the rule of Edward VI, facing imprisonment in the infamous Tower of London. Yet he was fortunate enough to survive and regain favour.

In fact, when Mary seized the throne from Lady Jane Grey, she released Gardiner and elevated him to the prominent position of Lord Chancellor. She found him advantageous because of his traditional religious beliefs, which created conflict with Edward. Unfortunately, Gardiner passed away in 1555 during Mary’s rule, so his reinstatement was brief.

Mary Tudor

After the events of “Wolf Hall”, it was shown that Mary Tudor’s chance of becoming queen seemed improbable due to the birth of her half-brother Edward.

Despite battling frequent illnesses throughout his life, tragically, he died at age 16 without any heirs. Previously noted was his attempt to exclude Mary from inheriting the throne, however, these efforts were unsuccessful, and she assumed the throne in 1553 following his death.

In just five years as queen, she earned the derogatory title ‘Bloody Mary’ due to her relentless pursuit and execution of Protestants, accused of heresy, as part of her efforts to restore Catholicism in England.

In the year 1558, at the age of 42, I find myself in the unfortunate position of no longer being alive, leaving behind no descendants. There’s a strong possibility that I might have been battling some form of cancer during my final days.

Lady Rochford

As a film enthusiast, I’ve always been captivated by the intricate lives of the Tudor courtiers. So, after the dramatic events unfolded in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, I wondered what happened to Lady Jane Rochford, Anne Boleyn’s sister-in-law who was notorious for her resentment. In the end, she too faced the consequences of her actions when she admitted to facilitating liaisons between herself and Thomas Culpeper during Catherine Howard’s proceedings against Henry VIII. It’s a chilling reminder that in the Tudor court, loyalty and discretion were as valuable as gold.

After her confinement within the Tower of London, she was deemed mentally unwell, necessitating a unique law enacted by Henry VIII for her execution. On the very same day, Anne Boleyn met her fate alongside Catherine Howard.

Thomas Wriothesley

After the events depicted in “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light,” Thomas Wriothesley continued to play a significant role within the Tudor dynasty, despite the execution of Thomas Cromwell.

Upon King Henry VIII’s passing, he assumed the role of executor for the deceased ruler’s will. This appointment subsequently placed him within the Regency Council, a group tasked with overseeing the administration of the kingdom during the reign of Edward VI, who was underage and unable to rule independently at that time.

2024-12-13 17:40