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The reign of Henry VIII is dominated by big personalities, and there is often a tendency to give too much focus to Henry and his wives. Much more difficult to understand is the way in which power was wielded, and the extent to which Henry himself was involved with the day-to-day running of the English government. This can be illuminated by examining the two dominant ministers in Henry’s reign: Thomas Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell. Both were from a humble background but rose to immense power. Wolsey was the son of a butcher but became a cardinal; Cromwell was the son of a publican but became Earl of Essex. These two men offer us a chance to reassess the Henrician government as well as examine the fluid nature of power in the Tudor period. They are also aspirational figures – outsiders who were able to progress through their own abilities and efforts.