Thomas Wolsey (c. March 1473 – 29 November 1530; sometimes spelled
Woolsey) was an
English political figure and a
cardinal of the
Roman Catholic Church. When
Henry VIII became King of England in 1509, Wolsey became the King's
almoner. Wolsey's affairs prospered, and by 1514 he had become the controlling figure in virtually all matters of state and extremely powerful within the
Church. The highest political position he attained was
Lord Chancellor, the King's chief adviser. In that position, he enjoyed great freedom and was often depicted as an
alter rex (other king). He fell out of favour after failing to negotiate an annulment of Henry's marriage to
Catherine of Aragon and was stripped of his government titles. He retreated to York to fulfil his ecclesiastical duties as
Archbishop of York, a position he nominally held but had neglected during his years in government. He was recalled to London to answer to charges of treason—a common charge used by Henry against ministers who fell out of favour—but died
en route of natural causes.