Unlike earlier ministers who might challenge the monarch, Cromwell believed in centralizing power around Henry, ensuring that the king’s commands were executed without hesitation.
He cultivated an image of the perfect servant: efficient, incorruptible (at least compared to many Tudor courtiers), and fiercely loyal. Yet this loyalty was pragmatic—he knew when to adapt policies to keep Henry pleased and when to push reforms quietly.
Political Skill and Bureaucratic Innovation
Cromwell’s rise owed much to his unparalleled skill in administration. He professionalized government by creating more efficient bureaucracies, standardizing record-keeping, and expanding the use of Parliament as a tool of royal policy.
He employed a network of agents and informants to maintain control over the country and to root out opposition.
His legal background allowed him to craft intricate legislative solutions to thorny problems—such as legitimizing Henry’s marriages and suppressing dissent.
Cromwell’s reforms laid the foundation for a modern centralized state, influencing English governance for centuries. shutdown123