The Death of Cardinal Wolsey

DESCRIPTION: "The Death of Cardinal Wolsey" is a 19th-century steel engraving based on a painting by the British artist Robert Smirke and engraved by Albert Henry Payne. The Subject: Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (c. 1473–1530) was an English archbishop and King Henry VIII's chief minister. He fell from grace after failing to secure a papal annulment for Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Wolsey died at Leicester Abbey on November 29, 1530, while traveling south to London to face charges of high treason. Key Figures Depicted: Cardinal Wolsey is shown on his deathbed, frail and near death. The Attendant/Monk: Kneeling beside the bed is likely George Cavendish, Wolsey's loyal gentleman-usher and biographer, who recorded Wolsey's famous final words: "If I had served God as diligently as I have done the King, he would not have given me over in my grey hairs." STYLE: Engraving COLOUR: Monochrome SIZE (cm): 14.5 x 22.5 CREATORS: A H Payne after Robt Smirke PUBLICATION: The National and Domestic History of England PUBLISHER: London: J Hagger DATE: C19 COMMENTS: Excellent condition with some patina from its antiquity SUBJECT: People PACKAGE: Single one-sided sheet in acid-free mount, flat & unfolded inside hard-backed envelope. Royal Mail Tracked 24 included. Note: Images are provided for illustration purposes only and are intended to show the complete printed product, including any imperfections of age that may be present. Frames or props shown in the images are for display purposes only and are not included with your purchase.