Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

Sitter associated with 28 portraits
Cromwell rose to power as Cardinal Wolsey's right-hand man, later becoming principal secretary and chief minister to Henry VIII. He was a brilliant administrator and evangelical reformer, ruthlessly pursuing the dissolution of the monasteries. He was one of the architects of the king's break from the Roman Catholic Church, suggesting in 1520 that Henry become 'supreme head' of the Church of England in order to allow divorce proceedings against his first wife Katherine of Aragon. He later negotiated Henry's fourth marriage to Anne of Cleves, and was created Earl in 1540. However, the failure of the king's marriage and accusations of treason by his powerful enemies led to his execution.