CROMWELL, Thomas, Earl of Essex, was the son of a blacksmith at Putney, and born there in 1498. He received the greater part of his education abroad, and was for some time clerk to an English factory at Antwerp. From thence he removed to Rome, where he familiarized himself with the Latin classics, and is said to have learned Erasmus' New Testament by heart. On his return to England, he entered the service of Cardinal Wolsey, and defended his patron when impeached before the House of Commons. His boldness on this occasion seems to have recommended him to the favour of Henry, who, after the fall of the cardinal, made him his confidential favourite and prime minister. From the moment Cromwell acquired any authority in the cabinet, he exerted it in favour of the Reformation, and signalized himself by the zeal with which he forwarded the demolition of images, the dissolution of monasteries, and the religious education of the people. He also instituted parish-registers, and introduced numerous other social improvements. His devotedness to the cause of the Reformation led him to take an active part in promoting the marriage of Henry with Anne of Cleves, who was a zealous Lutheran; and the indignation with which the king afterwards regarded his bride fell with double fury on the head of the minister. To the people generally he was already obnoxious on account of the subsidies which he had exacted, and by the nobility he was despised as a plebeian intruder into their order, while with the Roman Catholics he shared the fate of every reformer. The charms of Catherine Howard were quickly made available to widen the breach between the king and Cromwell; and after a sudden arrest and a hasty impeachment, in which charges of heresy and treason, bribery and extortion, were made against him, without the liberty of reply, he was condemned and executed on Tower Hill, July 28, 1540. Of Cromwell's character various opinions are given by the adherents of the Reformation and its opponents. His last speech is in keeping with the religious ambiguity of the period; and though his whole life was spent in promoting the interests of the Reformed Church, it is certain that ambition had greater influence in shaping his policy than conscientious conviction. See ENGLAND.