Quote from Alex bobby on March 25, 2025, 5:08 AM

Reimagining Thomas Cromwell: Fact, Fiction, and the Legacy of Wolf Hall

Nearly 500 years after his execution, Thomas Cromwell has been resurrected in the popular imagination, thanks to Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy. The award-winning series has transformed Henry VIII’s chief minister from a historical villain into a compelling, even sympathetic, figure. Now, with the US release of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, the final installment of the BBC adaptation, questions resurface about Mantel’s portrayal of Cromwell. Has she given readers and viewers a historically faithful depiction, or has she strategically sidestepped crucial truths?

Cromwell’s Evolution in the Public Eye

For centuries, historians painted Cromwell as Henry VIII’s cunning enforcer, orchestrating the downfall of Queen Anne Boleyn and driving England’s break from the Catholic Church. Yet Mantel’s depiction introduces an alternative perspective—one that presents Cromwell as a brilliant strategist, a self-made man navigating the treacherous waters of Tudor politics.

By embedding meticulous historical research into her novels, Mantel grants Cromwell an inner life largely absent from traditional histories. He emerges as a man of deep intelligence, loyalty, and adaptability. However, while many readers have embraced this portrayal, some historians argue that the Wolf Hall series smooths over some of Cromwell’s more ruthless actions.

Fact vs. Fiction: Did Mantel Soften Cromwell?

The Wolf Hall novels and their adaptations have been praised for their historical depth. Tracy Borman, author of Thomas Cromwell: The Untold Story of Henry VIII’s Most Faithful Servant, acknowledges Mantel’s dedication to detail, from Cromwell’s preferred wines to his sharp wit. Yet, Borman notes that Mantel downplays Cromwell’s role in Anne Boleyn’s execution, painting him as reluctant rather than a key orchestrator of the queen’s downfall.

Similarly, historian Samantha Rogers points out that in Bring Up the Bodies, the second book of the trilogy, Cromwell’s supervision of the interrogation of Mark Smeaton—the court musician whose confession sealed Anne Boleyn’s fate—is softened. While historical accounts suggest that Smeaton was tortured into admitting to adultery, Mantel’s novel depicts him being merely threatened and placed in darkness.

The Religious Question: A Missing Piece?

Diarmaid MacCulloch, author of Thomas Cromwell: A Life, argues that Mantel’s version of Cromwell minimizes his religious motivations. Historians widely agree that Cromwell was not merely a political operator but a committed Protestant reformer who sought to reshape England’s religious landscape. However, MacCulloch believes Mantel deemphasized this aspect of Cromwell’s character, perhaps because modern audiences might struggle to engage with the theological debates of the 16th century.

Mantel’s Bias and the Reframing of Thomas More

Mantel’s portrayal of Cromwell is inextricably linked to her depiction of his rival, Sir Thomas More. Historically, More has been venerated as a martyr and canonized by the Catholic Church. However, Mantel casts More in a much darker light, portraying him as an intolerant religious fanatic who tortures Protestants.

This representation has drawn criticism from historians like Eamon Duffy, who argues that Mantel demonized More to elevate Cromwell. Duffy believes that Wolf Hall reduces More to a misogynistic, oppressive figure while conveniently omitting some of Cromwell’s more dubious decisions.

A Hero for the Modern Era?

One of the most striking aspects of Mantel’s Cromwell is his resonance with contemporary audiences. His rise from a blacksmith’s son to the second most powerful man in England reflects modern narratives of meritocracy and social mobility. His political cunning and ability to survive in a cutthroat environment make him an appealing figure in today’s political climate.

Samantha Rogers compares Mantel’s Cromwell to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, noting that both figures have been reshaped to fit 21st-century ideals. Like Alexander Hamilton, Cromwell is depicted as an outsider who defies the aristocracy, making him an attractive figure for modern viewers preoccupied with issues of class and power.

The Power of Historical Fiction

Mantel herself was aware of the fine line between historical fact and literary interpretation. In her 2017 Reith Lectures, she acknowledged that both novelists and historians bring their own biases to their work. “The pursuit of the past makes you aware… of your own fallibility,” she remarked, highlighting the creative liberties necessary to bring historical figures to life.

Indeed, the Wolf Hall trilogy’s immense popularity demonstrates the power of historical fiction. While academic debates will continue about the accuracy of Mantel’s Cromwell, there is no denying that she has fundamentally reshaped public perceptions of one of history’s most enigmatic figures.

Conclusion

With the US premiere of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, audiences are once again invited into Mantel’s richly imagined Tudor world. Whether Cromwell’s legacy will endure in this more sympathetic light remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: through Mantel’s lens, history is not just recorded—it is rewritten, reexamined, and reimagined for a new generation.