ABSTRACT
Norfolk-was too old to fight the upstart, and his son (who succeeded to the title in 1524) was as yet too young to do so. In ISIS Warham resigned the chancellorship and Wolsey stepped into his shoes; in 1516 Fox retired from the privy seal to devote himself to his episcopal duties at Winchester, and Wolsey obtained the office for Thomas Ruthal, a faithful follower. From ISIS to 1529 Wolsey was not only the king's chief minister but virtually his only one. Though Henry never surrendered ultimate control over affairs, it was Wolsey who ruled. He devised the policy which llenry endorsed, and he saw that it was carried out. Henry was still only twenty-four years old in IS 15; his tastes did not alter while vigour remained, and he could never be induced to devote himself consistently to business and affairs. As one of his secretaries put it, he turned the pursuit of hunting into a martyrdom, often spending all day on horseback with the few who could keep up with such prowess; but when it came to the reading of dispatches or signing of instructions, all sorts of excuses were snatched at, and exasperated secretaries often had to pursue him for days before things got attended to. Wolsey owed his advancement to his ability to take these tedious tasks from the royal shoulders; in consequence the reality of power was his-until the king should choose to assert himself.
