Henry VIII's Enforcer: The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell

Image of Henry VIII

Was Thomas Cromwell a corrupt, ambitious politician or has history unfairly maligned him?

Thomas Cromwell rose from poor beginnings to become chief minister and the power behind the throne to King Henry VIII. However, falling victim to the King’s anger, he was beheaded in 1540. His greatest triumph was usurped and destroyed. Thomas Cromwell has gone down in history as an ambitious and corrupt politician. But this BBC Thomas Cromwell documentary asks, is that fact or fiction?

Watch Henry VIII's Enforcer: The Rise and Fall of Thomas Cromwell and more acclaimed documentaries on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.

More documentaries you might like...

Subscribe to BBC Select for hundreds of hours of thought - provoking, award-winning and critically-acclaimed documentaries from the BBC and beyond.

The World War 1914-1945

The World War: 1914 - 1945

A new perspective on the most significant events in modern history, the two world wars.

Arabian Adventures

Arabian Adventures

Alice Morrison explores a forgotten ancient civilization in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Byzantium: A Tale of Three Cities

Byzantium: A Tale of Three Cities

Historian Simon Sebag Montefiore traces the fascinating, sacred history of Istanbul.

Atlantis: The Evidence

Atlantis: The Evidence

Bettany Hughes shows how the legend of Atlantis was inspired by a real historical event.

Britain's Human Zoos

Britain's Human Zoos

The shocking story of those trafficked from Africa for entertainment and experimentation.

Dynasties The Families That changed the World

Dynasties: The Families That Changed The World

Delve into the inner workings of the world's most powerful and intriguing families.

Elizabeth: A Life Through the Lens

Elizabeth: A Life Through the Lens

How Elizabeth II was photographed over the years and the importance of image to her reign.

JFK: The Home movie that changed the world

JFK: The Home Movie that Changed the World

The little-known history of the actual 8mm film that captured the assassination of JFK.

Politics documentaries

From accounts of the 20th century's pivotal political events to biographies of modern political figures, BBC Select brings you documentaries about the politics that shape our world.

Philippa Gregory's The Real White Queen And Her Rivals

The women at the heart of the bloody War of the Roses that helped shape British history.

The good drug

The Good Drug? The History, Politics, and Science of Psychedelics

Could psychedelic substances be used to treat a whole host of medical issues?

Turkey: Rise of Erdogans Empire

Turkey: The Rise of Erdogan's Empire

How did Recep Tayyip Erdogan become the most powerful leader in Turkey’s recent history?

Charles R: The Making of a Monarch

Charles R: The Making of a Monarch

An intimate portrait of King Charles told in his own words with rare archive footage.

Rebellion: The Stuarts in Exile

Rebellion: The Stuarts In Exile

How much threat did the deposed Stuart dynasty pose to the developing British state?

Charles III: Will the King Change the Monarchy?

Charles III: Will the King Change the Monarchy?

Will King Charles III adapt the British monarchy to suit modern times?

King George & Queen Mary The Royals Who rescued the Monarchy

King George and Queen Mary: The Royals Who Rescued the Monarchy

The pioneering reign of Elizabeth II's grandparents, King George and Queen Mary.

The Last Days Of Anne Boleyn

What led to the dramatic downfall and violent execution of Queen Anne Boleyn in 1536?

BBC Select Free Trial

BBC Select is available on Amazon Prime Video Channels, the Apple TV app and The Roku Channel for only $5.99 a month. Start a 7-day free trial and watch a range of acclaimed documentaries from the BBC and beyond. Restrictions apply*.