Tudor Times is the online repository for all things Tudor and Stewart (1485–1625)

On 15th September 1514, Thomas Wolsey was appointed as Archbishop of York, second highest appointment within the English Church, although much less prestigious than Canterbury which had been occupied since 1504 by William Warham. Whilst York was subservient to Canterbury, Wolsey was also a Cardinal, and Papal legate which gave him all of the power and prestige he needed, sporting his scarlet cardinal’s hat.

Wolsey was far too busy with his activities as the King’s chief minister to think of visiting his northern archbishopric. It was not until his fall from power in 1529 that he even visited it, but his plans then for an extravagant enthronement merely led to further calls for his trial. It was at the archiepiscopal palace at Cawood that he was finally arrested by Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, whom he had bitterly humiliated for his liaison with Anne Boleyn. Read more on Wolsey’s incredible career here

The 14th September 1520 was probably the birthday of William Cecil, Lord Burghley. Some sources give it as the 13th, but there are two letters from Cecil, the first dated 12th September, referring to his birthday the next day, and the second, saying he had mistaken the previous day’s date, thinking it the 13th. The location of his birth is not in doubt – Bourne in Lincolnshire. He was the oldest child of Richard Cecil, a page in Henry VIII’s Chamber, who earlier that year had accompanied the King to the Field of Cloth of Gold. Cecil’s education was designed to fit him for a role in the King’s service. It was certainly effective, as he served both Edward VI and Elizabeth I as Secretary, and remained in post longer than any other minister of the era. Follow Cecil’s footsteps as he rose from country childhood to the role of Queen’s Lord Treasurer and closest advisor.

On 13th September 1598, Philip II, King of Spain, and one-time King of England, died. He was 71 years old and worn out by the merciless workload he took on. Son of the Emperor Charles V, Philip took on half of his father’s vast territories in 1556 when Charles retired. Philip took on the mantle of King of Spain and Duke of Burgundy, as well as the territories in the New World. He was already King of Naples and King of England as the consort of Mary I. It was Philip’s destiny to rule in a time of ever-deepening divisions between Catholics and Protestants. Less pragmatic than his father, he saw his role as Catholic champion of Europe, a position that, apart from the sheer impossibility of undoing the Reformation, was never going to be supported by the French kings.

Philip scored some successes – he finally defeated the French in the Italian Wars, establishing a Spanish dominance of Italy that would last for another two hundred years. He also made possible the defeat of the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto, and incorporated Portugal under his rule. He failed, however, to maintain control of the Netherlands, or reimpose Catholicism in England. He died in his enormous palace of the Escorial, and was succeed by his son from his fourth marriage (to his niece!). His daughter by his third marriage, the Archduchess Isabella Clara Eugenia, was named as a possible successor to her distant cousin, Elizabeth I of England.