Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-05
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF THOMAS CROMWELL.

Pride comes before 2, fau," and in English history many q man has
 just been in the height of his power to be deposed and huiniliated, as it were, the next morning.
 Charles I. was perhaps the greatest
 example of this, but just as damatic
 and interesting is the n1eteor-Eke rise
 and fall Of Cromwell. Not the CrOn-
 well who made the brief period of re-
 publican sway in England a brilliant success. but the Cromwell who went around England deSpoiling and wreck ing the churches to gain the favor of Henry VIII. The same Cromwell who IS told by Cardinal Wolsey. in Shak- epere's Henry NlII,' briefl9N but de- cisively to put away ambition.
 Starting his career as the son of q
 blacksmith, Thomas Cromwell rose
 quickly until in one week he was
 first made Earl of Essex, and then Great Chamberlain of England. But was in cell in the Tower writing to the King, not with the bold ar
 rogance that had always been his. but sending the craven message 'fAfercy. Mercy! Mercy"
 Although he had been making great headway with the King, with each additional appointment, the nobles
 were more and more jealous On
 June 9, 15H0, Parliament was still sitting discussing the religious ques- ton N1Il VI NLtN LO OLlC SGAlACAiLSiIA of some uniform doctrine. The Lords Of the Council left the Cham
 Der to go across to Whitehall to din ner before mid day, and as they Wend- ed their way across the great court yard to Westminster. a high wind | carried away CroruwelIs fiat cap from 1 his head. It was then the custom when one gentleman was even acci- dentaiiy uncovered for those who were with him also to doff their 'bonnets-' But, as an attendant ran and recov- l cred CToTnWeQS flying headgear on ! that occasion, the naughty minister , looked around and saw all his col 1 leagues once so humble, holding their own hats upon their heads. "A high ! wind indeed this must be- sneered : Cromwell, 't0 blow my cap off and ; for you to need to hold yours on. ' [ When returning to the Council ! Chamber the Duke of Norfolk stopped ] him and told him that it was not meet that traitors should sit amongst i loyal gentleman.
 ! T am no traitor." shouted Crom- well, dasnlng his cap upon the ground ] but the captain of the guard was at { the door, and still protesting the wretcded man was hurried to the
 Water Gate and rowed swiftly to the ! Tower, Norfolk; as he left the Coun- cil chamber, tearing off the faller minister's badge of the Garter as a ! last stroke of ignoniny.
 Cromwell knew he was doomed 1 for by the inituitous act that he : himself had forged for the ruin oi : others, he might be attained and i condemned legally without his oWT presence or defense. f'Mercy! Mercy.
 Mercy!" he wrote to the king in his agony; hut for him there vas as little mercy as he had s7cvn tc ! others. TEs death vas Q. foTegole con- { clusion, for Henry's fears had hc"- 1 aroused: but Cromwell had to l,e Ile- alive long enough for him to fa;"2i-- ] such information as would provide 2 plausible pretext for repudia tioR C. Queen Anne, who had married th, King through the schemes of CroEl well.
 The King was already tired of ht. Queen and soreiy wanted the mar j riage annulied. which, as the mar. riage was of his making, CromWel opposed Cromwell afterWard swor that he knew the maria ge had neve been consuu7rnated. and never would i be. When all this was sworn to 3I7ron%elPs hold upon the world wa done. Upon evidence now unknown he was condemned for treason ant -1erezy without being heard in his owl he stood 3 sorry figure upon tn | scaffold o< the Tower. Cromwell con 1 fessed he had been & sinner, and hat travelled after things Of this world but he Fervenly avowed he was good Catholic and no leretic. am mad f2a"boFed no thoughts Of eE-i toward his SoverigT. But, al hi ' prot es3aticns availed nothing, and hi head. the cleverest head in England < was D1s2ably hacked off by a buns1ins
 headSTnan.