Cromwell’s Strategic Exclusion: The Art of Divide and Conquer
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Riche expresses frustration with Elizabeth Barton, believing they are being too lenient, but Cromwell reveals his strategy, confident she is on the verge of confessing her fraud.
Cromwell intends to prosecute Elizabeth Barton's followers, but specifically excludes Thomas More, an action that is regarded with concern by Audley about Cromwell dealing with figures such as Bishop Fisher, Lady Exeter, and the Poles.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Frustrated and eager to see action taken against Barton’s network, but also concerned about the political implications of targeting powerful figures.
Riche stands with his arms crossed, his expression tense and frustrated. He challenges Cromwell’s confidence in Barton’s confession, insisting they are being too soft with her. When Cromwell mentions bringing in Barton’s followers, Riche immediately presses for the inclusion of Thomas More, only to be met with Cromwell’s firm exclusion. He then lists other high-profile targets—Fisher, Exeter, and the Poles—his tone reflecting both eagerness and concern about the political fallout of such prosecutions.
- • To push for a more aggressive prosecution of Barton’s accomplices, including Thomas More, to demonstrate strength and resolve.
- • To ensure that the Crown’s legal actions are comprehensive and do not leave room for dissenters to regroup.
- • That Barton’s defiance is a direct challenge to the Crown’s authority and must be met with decisive action.
- • That excluding More from prosecution could be seen as weakness, potentially emboldening other dissenters.
Cautiously concerned, with a sense of unease about the political risks Cromwell is taking by targeting high-profile figures.
Audley stands slightly apart from the group, his expression concerned and thoughtful. He questions Cromwell’s confidence in Barton’s confession and visibly reacts with apprehension when Cromwell mentions dealing with Fisher, Exeter, and the Poles. His body language suggests he is acutely aware of the political risks involved in targeting such powerful figures, and he seems to be weighing the potential fallout of Cromwell’s strategy.
- • To ensure that Cromwell’s actions do not inadvertently provoke a broader political crisis by alienating powerful factions.
- • To understand the full implications of Cromwell’s strategy and assess whether it aligns with the Crown’s long-term interests.
- • That targeting Fisher, Exeter, and the Poles could destabilize the political landscape and create unnecessary enemies for the Crown.
- • That Cromwell’s confidence in Barton’s confession may be misplaced, given the high stakes involved.
Calmly assertive with an undercurrent of cautious optimism, masking the high-stakes political risks he is navigating.
Cromwell stands with his subordinates in the corridor, his posture relaxed yet commanding. He confidently asserts Elizabeth Barton’s impending confession, citing his niece Alice’s observations of Barton’s nocturnal tears and calculated peeping. When Riche presses for the prosecution of named accomplices, Cromwell hesitates briefly before decisively excluding Thomas More from the list, signaling a strategic omission. He reassures Audley of his careful handling of the politically sensitive targets—Fisher, Exeter, and the Poles—while maintaining a composed demeanor that belies the high-stakes maneuvering.
- • To secure Elizabeth Barton’s confession and dismantle her network of supporters without provoking unnecessary backlash.
- • To exclude Thomas More from prosecution to avoid a moral confrontation that could undermine the Crown’s authority.
- • That Barton’s confession is imminent due to her fraudulent nature, as evidenced by Alice’s observations.
- • That targeting More would be politically and morally reckless, given his moral authority and the potential for public sympathy.
Inferred to be desperate and manipulative, using tears and calculated behavior to maintain her influence and avoid confession.
Elizabeth Barton is the subject of the men’s discussion, though she is not physically present in the corridor. Cromwell describes her as close to confessing, citing her nocturnal tears and calculated peeping as signs of her fraudulence. Riche and Audley react to Cromwell’s assessment, with Riche expressing frustration at her defiance and Audley showing concern about the broader implications of her case.
- • To maintain her prophetic persona and avoid confessing to her fraudulence.
- • To exploit the political tensions between Cromwell and his subordinates to her advantage.
- • That her tears and calculated behavior can manipulate those around her into doubting her guilt.
- • That her network of supporters will protect her from prosecution.
Not directly observable, but inferred to be loyal and supportive of Cromwell’s efforts, given her role in gathering critical information.
Alice is mentioned indirectly by Cromwell as the source of his confidence in Barton’s impending confession. Her observations of Barton’s nocturnal tears and calculated behavior provide Cromwell with the leverage he needs to assert Barton’s fraudulence. Though not physically present in the scene, her role as an informant is crucial to Cromwell’s strategy.
- • To support Cromwell’s political maneuvering by providing accurate and insightful observations of Barton’s behavior.
- • To contribute to the dismantling of Barton’s influence through her intimate access to the prophetess.
- • That Barton’s claims are fraudulent and that her tears are a calculated act to manipulate those around her.
- • That her observations can be trusted and are valuable to Cromwell’s strategy.
Thomas More is mentioned by Riche as one of Barton’s named accomplices. Cromwell decisively excludes him from the list of …
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The corridor outside Elizabeth Barton’s interrogation room serves as a private, confined space where Cromwell and his subordinates can strategize away from prying eyes and ears. Its narrow walls and secluded nature create an atmosphere of urgency and secrecy, amplifying the tension of their discussion. The location functions as a quick refuge for plotting, allowing the men to huddle together and exchange sensitive information without the risk of being overheard. The stone walls of the corridor catch their whispered conversations, adding to the sense of conspiracy and high-stakes maneuvering.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Elizabeth Barton's claim to have seen Wolsey's soul directly affects Cromwell's motivations and actions. This motivates Cromwell to prosecute Elizabeth Barton's followers, solidifying his resolve to end her influence."
"Elizabeth Barton's claim to have seen Wolsey's soul directly affects Cromwell's motivations and actions. This motivates Cromwell to prosecute Elizabeth Barton's followers, solidifying his resolve to end her influence."
"Elizabeth Barton's claim to have seen Wolsey's soul directly affects Cromwell's motivations and actions. This motivates Cromwell to prosecute Elizabeth Barton's followers, solidifying his resolve to end her influence."
"Elizabeth Barton's claim to have seen Wolsey's soul directly affects Cromwell's motivations and actions. This motivates Cromwell to prosecute Elizabeth Barton's followers, solidifying his resolve to end her influence."
"Cromwell's expressed intention to prosecute Elizabeth Barton's followers causes him to confront Bishop Fisher about his gullibility, marking the next step in Cromwell's strategy to control the situation."
"Cromwell's expressed intention to prosecute Elizabeth Barton's followers causes him to confront Bishop Fisher about his gullibility, marking the next step in Cromwell's strategy to control the situation."
"Cromwell's expressed intention to prosecute Elizabeth Barton's followers causes him to confront Bishop Fisher about his gullibility, marking the next step in Cromwell's strategy to control the situation."
"Cromwell intends to prosecute Elizabeth Barton's followers, but excludes More. Later it is revealed that Anne Boleyn is demanding that Thomas More be added to the list of the guilty alongside Elizabeth Barton. This highlights Anne Boleyn's insecurity about her position."
"Cromwell intends to prosecute Elizabeth Barton's followers, but excludes More. Later it is revealed that Anne Boleyn is demanding that Thomas More be added to the list of the guilty alongside Elizabeth Barton. This highlights Anne Boleyn's insecurity about her position."
"Cromwell intends to prosecute Elizabeth Barton's followers, but excludes More. Later it is revealed that Anne Boleyn is demanding that Thomas More be added to the list of the guilty alongside Elizabeth Barton. This highlights Anne Boleyn's insecurity about her position."
"Cromwell intends to prosecute Elizabeth Barton's followers, but excludes More. Later it is revealed that Anne Boleyn is demanding that Thomas More be added to the list of the guilty alongside Elizabeth Barton. This highlights Anne Boleyn's insecurity about her position."
Key Dialogue
"RICHARD RICHE: *We’re too soft with her. She’s laughing at us.* THOMAS CROMWELL: *She’s close to confessing.*"
"RICHARD RICHE: *Thomas More?* THOMAS CROMWELL: *No. He’s clear of this.*"
"THOMAS CROMWELL: *I’ll deal with them myself.* AUDLEY: *(looks concerned)* *These are some of the most powerful people in the land.* THOMAS CROMWELL: *I’ll be on my best behaviour.*"