After writing about Mistress Cromwell, Thomas Cromwell‘s wife Elizabeth, I occasionally hear people ask, “Why Elizabeth Cromwell?” Indeed, Wolf Hall served as my inspiration, and I’m eager to read The Mirror and the Light, the last installment of Mantel’s trilogy. I will be reading during this COVID-19 lockdown period.
Information on Thomas Cromwell wife of Elizabeth, Mistress Cromwell,
Since I had written about Wolf Hall in my MPhil thesis on How Romance Tempers Realism in Historical Fiction, I was truly curious about what Elizabeth’s life could have been like.
My interest in Thomas Cromwell’s personal and professional life before Henry wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon, King Henry’s wife, was piqued by this inquiry.
The death of Elizabeth’s first husband, another Tom, marks the beginning of Mistress Cromwell. It uses Elizabeth’s story to explore Thomas Cromwell’s little-known early career.
As a historical fiction author, I use the scant information available on Elizabeth Cromwell to delve into the life of a Tudor merchant lady. In light of this, I incorporated the London Guilds and Companies into the background of some of the scenes I wrote for the book.
By incorporating the annual round of festivals and guild pageantry into the narrative, I aimed to bring the city’s everyday existence and jowl-to-jowl living to the plot. The plot incorporates Tudor marriage, childbirth, death, and a secret Elizabeth maintains hidden for a large portion of her marriage through Elizabeth.
In reality, not much is known about Elizabeth. We know that in 1514, Thomas Cromwell wed a young, affluent widow whose first husband was a king’s yeoman and a clothmaker.
It’s possible Elizabeth inherited her husband’s clothing company. Given their similar ages, Thomas and Elizabeth might have first met in Putney when they were kids.
Thomas Cromwell may have gotten some schooling as a youngster and did not come from a home that was completely destitute.
In 1516, he entered Cardinal Wolsey’s inner circle as a merchant and self-taught lawyer to work on land transfers and as steward of York House. Despite his ambition, Cromwell was probably not as vicious as he eventually became.
Since Cromwell was a humanist who was interested in challenging ancient Greek and Roman texts, I was curious about his allegiance to Wolsey.
Additionally, he was interested in Church Reform, including the release of a vernacular Bible. He disapproved of indulgences offered by Catholic pardoners and relics housed in churches.
Thomas Cromwell was a family man who loved all things Italian. Nevertheless, he might have had a secret as well. Around 1520, his daughter Jane was born out of wedlock.
In a will he made following the death of his wife Elizabeth, Jane is mentioned. What did Elizabeth think about this? Thomas Cromwell did not get married again after his wife passed away. Austin Friars was his primary residence.
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John Reddy is the founder of KeystoneTruth, dedicated to uncovering the complexities behind today’s headlines. With a background in investigative journalism, he combines thorough research with engaging storytelling to empower readers with insightful analysis. John explores a range of topics, from politics to social justice, always striving for transparency and accountability in media. A passionate advocate for informed discourse, he believes that an engaged public is essential for a healthy democracy. When he’s not writing, John enjoys the outdoors and community involvement. Join him at KeystoneTruth for a journey toward understanding the truth.
