What is Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex?
{{Infobox Person | name = Thomas Cromwell <br/> 1st Earl of Essex | image = Cromwell,Thomas(1EEssex)01.jpg | image_size = 180px | caption = Portrait by Holbein, 1532–3 | birth_date = 1485 | birth_place = [[Putney]], [[Middlesex]], [[England]] | death_date = {{death date|1540|7|28|df=y}} (aged 55) | death_place = [[Tower of London]], [[England]] | occupation = [[Government]] | spouse = Elizabeth Wykes | parents = Walter Cromwell, Dau Clossop | children = Gregory Cromwell, 1st Baron Cromwell }} '''Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex''', [[Order of the Garter|KG]], [[Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council|PC]] (c. 1485 – 28 July 1540) was an [[English people|English]] [[statesman]] and [[lawyer]]. He was [[Henry VIII of England|King Henry VIII]]'s chief minister (like [[Prime Minister]]) from 1532 to 1540. He held many important posts, ending as [[Lord Chamberlain]]. Cromwell did not come from a rich or noble family: he rose in life by his work and merit. Cromwell tried to modernize government, but this meant that both the nobility and the church would have less power. Because of this he was seen as an upstart. He was one of the strongest supporters of the [[English Reformation]], the English Church's break with the [[Pope|papacy]] in [[Rome]]. Henry VIII was made the head of the Church of England by Parliament in 1534. Cromwell helped control the new Church with his two new jobs; Vicegerent for spirituals and Vicar general. ==Downfall and execution== Cromwell had supported Henry VIII in disposing of [[Anne Boleyn]] and replacing her with [[Jane Seymour]]. During his years as the King's chief minister, Cromwell created many powerful enemies for himself. His final downfall was caused by the haste with which he encouraged the king to marry [[Anne of Cleves]]. This was a marriage that Cromwell hoped would put the English Reformation back on track after the recent setback with the [[Thirty-Nine Articles#Six Articles (1539)|Six Articles]]. The enterprise became a disaster when Kin