Henry VIII’s Tetrad of Thomases—#4 Thomas Cranmer

by Helen Kain | Jun 3, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, England, Tudors (1485–1603)

Viewing the behaviour of Thomas #4, Cranmer, from a distance of 500+ years, it’s difficult to determine if he was wily or wishy-washy—perhaps both. As part of the double act with Thomas #3 Cromwell, Cranmer played a vital role in ending Henry VIII’s...

Henry VIII’s Tetrad of Thomases—#3 Thomas Cromwell

by Helen Kain | Jun 3, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, England, Tudors (1485–1603)

When Thomas #1, Cardinal Wolsey, fell from grace in 1529 for failure to procure an annulment for King Henry from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, Thomas #3, Thomas Cromwell, succeeded Wolsey as Henry’s chief advisor. Details of Cromwell’s early life...

Henry VIII’s Tetrad of Thomases—#2 Thomas More

by Helen Kain | May 27, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, England, Home, Tudors (1485–1603)

Thomas #2, Thomas More, acted in both legal and spiritual advisory capacities to King Henry VIII. He was born in London in 1478, the son of a lawyer and later judge, Sir John More. He attended Saint Anthony Grammar School in London while also working as a page to the...

Henry VIII’s Tetrad of Thomases—#1 Cardinal Thomas Wolsey

by Helen Kain | May 20, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, Entertablement Abroad, Tudors (1485–1603)

Cardinal Wolsey was born c 1475 in Ipswich, Suffolk, to a butcher and his wife. He attended Ipswich School, then Magdalen College School, before studying theology at Magdalen College, Oxford and graduating at age 15. He was Thomas #1 of Henry VIII’s Tetrad of...

The Dissolution of the Monasteries

by Helen Kain | May 18, 2023 | Abbeys, Monasteries and Churches, Cathedral Tapestry, England, Tudors (1485–1603)

In April 1536, the 27th year of King Henry VIII’s 38-year reign, more than 800 monasteries, nunneries and friaries were nestled across England—communities of prayer and devotion for abbots, monks, priors and nuns, providing sanctuary, tending the sick and...

Cathedrals in the 20th Century and Beyond (1900 to present)

by Helen Kain | May 16, 2023 | Cathedral Tapestry, England, Modern England (1901–Present)

New dioceses and their cathedrals continued to appear in the 20th century, though the pace of restoration of earlier cathedrals slowed. And people being people, arguments over preferred styles continued. George Gilbert Scott’s grandson, Giles Gilbert Scott,...