Wolsey's angels

[Flosshilde]

An interesting footnote to two threads - the Victoria & Albert Museum has managed to raise enough money to buy the four bronze angels that Cardinal Wolsey commissioned for his tomb (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31246801) - an extravagant structure planned for Westminster Abbey. Because of his fall from power (as shown in 'Wolf Hall') it was never built. Henry VIII took them for use on his own tomb, which was never built. They ended up as gate pier decorations. Wolsey's coffin is now holds Horatio Nelson, in St Paul's Cathedral.

Wolsey himself was burried in Leicester Abbey, where Richard III was buried. Leicester Council have suggested that the University should conduct another dig to locate his remains (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-21476014).

[jean]

...the four bronze angels that Cardinal Wolsey commissioned for his tomb - an extravagant structure planned for Westminster Cathedral ...

That shows some prescience!

[french frank]

That shows some prescience!

He wanted a good Catholic memorial.

[jean]

Indeed - and he realised that, the way things were going, he'd have to wait for Catholic Emancipation before he got it.

Maybe he even hoped he'd be canonised one day, like More and some of the others.

[jean]

Last edited by Flosshilde; Today at 21:43. Reason: Wolsey might have planned ahead for his funeral, but not that far ahead!

What a shame! It was such a good story.

Still, the real story is quite good too.

[ardcarp]

Wolsey himself was burried in Leicester Abbey, where Richard III was buried. Leicester Council have suggested that the University should conduct another dig to locate his remains

..great idea, but car-parking is a nightmare in Leicester.

[Flosshilde]

I think they think he's under the park (Abbey Park) rather than the car park.

[Flosshilde]

Maybe he even hoped he'd be canonised one day, like More and some of the others.

Probably would have been, if he'd lived long enough to have his head chopped off.