Historically accurate or not, I can't imagine anyone else as Wolsey except Sam Neil (who played him in the 'Tudors'). Such a good job of playing him as corrupt and scheming, yet sympathetic and human. I'm sure there have been other great, if not even better, Wolseys in film and TV, but Neil will always be my favourite.
I was aware that Wolsey had a mistress and two children, but I was not aware of the details. Interesting that both of his children went into the church. Did Henry VIII know about Wolsey's mistress and children? I don't think he would have approved or advanced Wolsey if he knew. Also, as Wolsey had many political enemies, knowledge of his forbidden family surely would have been used against him. Thank you, Claire! Another awesome deep dive into Tudor history.
I believe it was pretty common for middle and upper clergy to have "secret" families. These were times in which the Church was considered to be a good career for second and third sons. It had very little to do faith or religious conviction.
I lay odds that Henry VIII knew about Woolsey's secret family. It'd be pretty hypocritical for Henry to give anyone a hard time considering his own habits..🤔
Many church officials had families, so many that the rules of the monastic orders required the high positions be filled by persons of LEGITIMATE birth. That prevented a high ranking churchman from installing his offspring into plush positions.
I was born and raised Irish Catholic, although I consider myself lapsed now. I find these looks into people the Church venerates while skimming over their flaws to be fascinating.
I do think Wolsey must have been such a complex man and I find it very hard to draw a line on wether or not he was a good man or a bad one. With all the political manoeuvring he must've done I kinda lean towards bad, but then at the same time, the court and country did quite well when he had a lot of the reins and I can't imagine it was ever easy dealing with a young Henri VIII, that must have felt like a whole job in and off itself and ultimately cost him pretty much everything, including Hampton Court which I imagine must have felt like such an accomplishment to be able to built and afford. As for his family, I'm honestly somewhat relieved he had people in his life he evidently cared for though, I always felt like it made him feel much more caring human versus ambitious wealth chaser.
When you start looking into these churchmen, so many of them had illegitimate children, so in general it must have been overlooked and only mattered if you were rising within the church or at court. Yes, his closeness to the king cost him dearly.
I just rewatched Anne Of A Thousand Days and there is a scene in which Wolsey is briefly seen in bed with his mistress. Although I really enjoy the performances in this movie, there are several historical inaccuracies. It particularly bothers me that Catherine of Aragon is depicted as looking very Spanish, with black hair when I believe she had blonde or reddish blonde hair. I really do like the movie, though. Thanks.
You know Clair I was just thinking how interesting a video would be on the topic of Royal figures and there meaning behind the titles, Some have had multiple titles at one time and if current Royals still do. I just find your videos so interesting and relaxing, Thank you for what you do 😊 Much love Michigan USA 🇺🇸 ❤
You do realise this is a history lesson. I to have personal beliefs, but this woman is giving us the privilege of looking at a fascinating time in history, she is not preaching a sermon. Get things in perspective.
This was a time when the only denomination was Catholicism, there wasn't another choice in England. If you'd lived in the 1520s, you would have confessed to a priest too.
Historically accurate or not, I can't imagine anyone else as Wolsey except Sam Neil (who played him in the 'Tudors'). Such a good job of playing him as corrupt and scheming, yet sympathetic and human. I'm sure there have been other great, if not even better, Wolseys in film and TV, but Neil will always be my favourite.
Mine too.
I loved Sam Neil too in the role, although I hated that suicide scene.
I was aware that Wolsey had a mistress and two children, but I was not aware of the details. Interesting that both of his children went into the church. Did Henry VIII know about Wolsey's mistress and children? I don't think he would have approved or advanced Wolsey if he knew. Also, as Wolsey had many political enemies, knowledge of his forbidden family surely would have been used against him. Thank you, Claire! Another awesome deep dive into Tudor history.
I believe it was pretty common for middle and upper clergy to have "secret" families. These were times in which the Church was considered to be a good career for second and third sons. It had very little to do faith or religious conviction.
It sounds like it was pretty much an open secret, and quite common, but that Wolsey had pressure to change things as he rose through the ranks.
I lay odds that Henry VIII knew about Woolsey's secret family. It'd be pretty hypocritical for Henry to give anyone a hard time considering his own habits..🤔
Many church officials had families, so many that the rules of the monastic orders required the high positions be filled by persons of LEGITIMATE birth. That prevented a high ranking churchman from installing his offspring into plush positions.
Yes, although that didn't stop Wolsey doing it outside of monastic orders!
I was born and raised Irish Catholic, although I consider myself lapsed now. I find these looks into people the Church venerates while skimming over their flaws to be fascinating.
I really love digging into these men and finding out about them as men, rather than just statesmen or churchmen.
Nothing has changed
Thanks Claire. Wolsey was notorious for what was called simony, not usual in England before his time.
Yes.
Thank you for helping add dimension to this controversial figure.
It's a pleasure! I find Wolsey as very interesting figure.
I do think Wolsey must have been such a complex man and I find it very hard to draw a line on wether or not he was a good man or a bad one. With all the political manoeuvring he must've done I kinda lean towards bad, but then at the same time, the court and country did quite well when he had a lot of the reins and I can't imagine it was ever easy dealing with a young Henri VIII, that must have felt like a whole job in and off itself and ultimately cost him pretty much everything, including Hampton Court which I imagine must have felt like such an accomplishment to be able to built and afford. As for his family, I'm honestly somewhat relieved he had people in his life he evidently cared for though, I always felt like it made him feel much more caring human versus ambitious wealth chaser.
When you start looking into these churchmen, so many of them had illegitimate children, so in general it must have been overlooked and only mattered if you were rising within the church or at court.
Yes, his closeness to the king cost him dearly.
There were bishops of rome who had children
I just rewatched Anne Of A Thousand Days and there is a scene in which Wolsey is briefly seen in bed with his mistress. Although I really enjoy the performances in this movie, there are several historical inaccuracies. It particularly bothers me that Catherine of Aragon is depicted as looking very Spanish, with black hair when I believe she had blonde or reddish blonde hair. I really do like the movie, though. Thanks.
Anthony Quayle played Wolsey in that film, and was very good. I don’t remember the bed scene, but it has been a long time since I saw it.
It really is a wonderful film, and I do love Genevieve Bujold as Anne.
Very interesting! Thank you ☺️
You know Clair I was just thinking how interesting a video would be on the topic of Royal figures and there meaning behind the titles, Some have had multiple titles at one time and if current Royals still do. I just find your videos so interesting and relaxing, Thank you for what you do 😊 Much love Michigan USA 🇺🇸 ❤
Thanks for the video! I love info on these Kings men.
I'm so glad, thank you!
We can't judge other people
Didn't stop the catholic church from doing to you though did it?
What happened to Dorothy when the nunnery closed?
I haven't been able to find out any more about her, I'm afraid.
There is a heaven and hell
If Cardinal Beaufort can do it reckoned Woolsley, why can't he?
Yes!
There is no purgatory
I'm Protestant, too. That said, this is a biographical lesson about a very important figure in Henry VIII's court - NOT a place to debate theology.
@philcrawford7760, you keep making these comments and I'm not sure why. Are you ok?
I don't confess to a priest I go to Jesus
You do realise this is a history lesson. I to have personal beliefs, but this woman is giving us the privilege of looking at a fascinating time in history, she is not preaching a sermon. Get things in perspective.
This was a time when the only denomination was Catholicism, there wasn't another choice in England. If you'd lived in the 1520s, you would have confessed to a priest too.
Thank you @catherinekershaw7877!
Amen!!
@philcrawford7760 Grow up child!
You have to be born again