Wolsey’s Own Accord

Thomas Wolsey is today best known for his downfall in 1529, following the failure to fix Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon. But, 500 years ago this month, the grand cardinal, who was also the king’s Lord Chancellor, staged one of the most extraordinary diplomatic coups in European history. Given the state of the ongoing Brexit negotiations, it may be worth revisiting, for inspiration at least.

Wolsey had been concerned that England and its young king were heading for diplomatic isolation. Francis I of France, Henry’s military rival, had defeated the Swiss, once thought invincible, at the Battle of Marignano in 1515. In the wake of his victory, he had signed treaties with a number of continental powers.