July 28, 1540 - Thomas Cromwell Executed

Thomas Cromwell was a true leader of the Protestant Reformation in England. He was the chief advisor to King Henry VIII, and though Henry was mostly unconcerned with Protestantism, he cared deeply about controlling the Church of England. In contrast, Cromwell was heavily committed to the spread of Protestantism. This conflict climaxed when Cromwell refused to accept Henry’s desire to divorce his fourth wife Anne of Cleaves. Because of this, Cromwell was executed on July 28, 1540, for betraying the crown.