November 29, 1530 - Thomas Wolsey Dies

King Henry VIII’s desire for a divorce greatly shaped the translation of the English Bible and the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey held a great deal of power in King Henry’s court, and he held influential government offices as Cardinal and Archbishop of York. His home near London was called Hampton Court (pictured), and he lost this home when he could not negotiate a divorce for Henry and his wife, Catherine of Aragon, with the Pope. Henry called Wolsey back to London from York to try him for treason, but Wolsey died during the trip on November 29, 1530. Hampton Court was also the site of the meetings that developed the King James Bible.