Thomas Wolsey (March 1473 - November 29, 1530) was an English political figure and cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. When Henry VIII became King of England in 1509, Wolsey became the King's almoner. His affairs prospered, and by 1514 he was the controlling figure in virtually all matters of state and was extremely powerful within the Church. The highest political position he attained was Lord Chancellor, the King's chief adviser. He enjoyed great freedom, and was often depicted as an alter rex (other king), but he fell out of favor due to his failure to negotiate an annulment of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon. He was ultimately stripped of his government posts and retreated to York to oversee his clerical duties as Archbishop of York, a post he nominally held but never exercised during his many years in government. He was recalled to London to answer to charges of treason, but died en route of natural causes before arriving in London. Image taken from page 529 of "A History of England for the Young" by Henry Tyrrell, 1872, entitled: "Wosley arrested for high treason."