A “New” Man: Cardinal Thomas Wolsey Gets the Boot

“If I had served God as diligently as I have done the King, he would not have given me over in my grey hairs.” — Cardinal Wolsey on his death bed

As high and mighty as he later became, Thomas Wolsey rose from decidedly humble beginnings. He was born the son of a butcher in 1473 — about as common as it gets. His unprecedented upward climb socially and professionally began after…