Thomas Cromwell served Henry VIII as his chief minister for a decade, orchestrating the dissolution of the monasteries and the downfall of Anne Boleyn. In 1540 Henry turned on him. Cromwell was arrested, stripped of his titles and condemned without trial. On Tower Hill the appointed executioner was described by witnesses as young and inexperienced. The first blow failed to sever his head. It took multiple strikes to kill him. Witnesses said it was one of the worst executions they had ever seen.
INTERESTING FACT Cromwell wrote to Henry from the Tower begging for mercy. He called himself the most miserable prisoner in the world. Henry did not reply. He used the letter as evidence of Cromwell’s guilt and had it read aloud at his trial. Cromwell was executed six days later.
