Object

Hammers for Aging the Forged Statue

Thomas Cromwell and the Portinari boys wield heavy hammers to pound the newly forged Roman statue in the Austin Friars courtyard. Repeated blows roughen its surface, dislodge fresh chips, and scatter dust, mimicking centuries of wear. Gregory, Rafe, Richard, and Thomas Wriothesley stand nearby as Cromwell directs the work, their presence underscoring the household's complicity in the deception.

3 appearances

Purpose

Beating the forged Roman statue to artificially age it and create the appearance of authenticity

Significance

Instruments of Cromwell's cunning forgery, they enable a key deception that bolsters his rising influence and fuels his momentary triumph amid recollections of past triumphs

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments

S1E2 · Wolf Hall Episode 2

Cromwell’s Duality: A Test of Loyalty in the Courtyard’s Light

The hammers for aging the forged statue are central to Cromwell’s anecdote, serving as a tangible symbol of his youthful cunning. He describes how he and the Portinari boys ‘beat it with hammers’ to create the appearance of age, a detail that adds a layer of physicality to his tale of deception. The hammers represent the effort and ingenuity required to manipulate perception—a theme that resonates with Cromwell’s current political maneuvers. Their mention in the story is not just a narrative device but a subtle reminder of the violent, almost brutal methods he is willing to employ to shape reality to his advantage.

Before: Used in the past to create the illusion of antiquity on the statue.

After: No longer physically present, but their role in the anecdote reinforces Cromwell’s strategic use of force and deception.

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S1E2 · Wolf Hall Episode 2

The Cardinal’s Folly: A Con Man’s Confession and the Weight of the Past

The hammers for aging the forged statue are explicitly mentioned in Cromwell’s story as the tools used to create the illusion of antiquity. He describes the process of beating the statue with the hammers to roughen its surface and dislodge fresh chips, mimicking centuries of wear. This detail serves as a vivid example of the lengths Cromwell went to in his deception, reinforcing the theme of cunning and the physical effort involved in his schemes.

Before: Used in the past to alter the statue’s appearance, making it appear ancient and valuable.

After: No physical presence in the current event; their role is purely narrative, illustrating the methods Cromwell used to deceive the cardinal.

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S1E2 · Wolf Hall Episode 2

The Cardinal’s Shadow: A Moment of False Triumph

The hammers for aging the forged statue are directly referenced in Cromwell’s tale, serving as a visceral reminder of the physical effort and deception required to create the illusion of antiquity. Their mention is a narrative device to underscore the ruthlessness of Cromwell’s past—he didn’t just scheme, he worked to make the deception believable. The hammers symbolize the labor behind the artifice, and their absence in the present moment highlights how Cromwell has moved from manual deception to intellectual manipulation in his rise to power.

Before: Used in Italy to beat the statue, then likely abandoned or repurposed—no longer physically present, but their role in the tale is pivotal.

After: Unchanged—still a symbolic artifact in Cromwell’s personal history, reinforcing the idea that his success was built on both cunning and hard work.

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