Wolf Hall’s final chapter, The Mirror and the Light, aired over the weekend (December 15) with fans praising the show for its dramatic conclusion.
The critically acclaimed historical drama, inspired by Hilary Mantel’s bestselling novels, follows the life of Thomas Cromwell (portrayed by Mark Rylance). Cromwell was well known as the trusted advisor to .
The gripping series masterfully depicts Cromwell’s meteoric rise to power, his pivotal role in the English Reformation, and his eventual downfall. His execution signalled the end of a remarkable political career, leaving his allies — Rafe Sadler, a loyal servant, and , his devoted son – to navigate the treacherous aftermath.
The gradual movement towards Protestantism at home and the King’s ill-fated marriage to Anne of Cleves, which Cromwell engineered in January 1540, proved costly to his life.
Henry’s first meeting with Anne of Cleves was a disaster. He came upon her in disguise and kissed her. Anne, having no idea who this man was, shrank back in horror. They married, but the marriage was unconsummated; within 6 months it was annulled.
BBC’s Wolf Hall depicts the story of Cromwell (Image: BBC)
As a result of the terrible meeting, Cromwell’s life came to an abrupt end on July 28, 1540, as his execution sent shockwaves through the political establishment. The advisor was arraigned under an act of attainder and was executed for treason and heresy on Tower Hill.
Cromwell was said to have mounted the scaffold steps and made a speech to the crowd in which he denied his guilt as he said: “Many have slandered me, and reported that I have been a bearer of such as I have maintained evil opinions; which is untrue: but I confess, that like as God, by His Holy Spirit, doth instruct us in the truth, so the devil is ready to seduce us; and I have been seduced.”
He also committed his soul to Christ and announced that there was “no hope in salvation,” but he would hope and trust in “Christ’s merciful goodness.”
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Cromwell was King Henry’s advisor (Image: BBC)
Then he knelt and endured one of the most gruesome and butchered Tudor executions on record. Afterwards, his head was set on a spike on London Bridge.
However, it was later said that King Henry came to regret Cromwell’s killing and later accused his ministers of bringing about Cromwell’s downfall by “pretexts” and “false accusations”. The King expressed regret at the loss of his chief minister and his reign was said to have never recovered from the incident.
He referred to Cromwell in a letter, saying that he was “the most faithful servant he ever had.”