Editing Thomas Wolsey (section)

==Early life==
Thomas Wolsey was born in about 1473, the son of Robert Wolsey of [[Ipswich]] and his wife, Joan Daundy.{{sfn|Jack|2012}} Widespread traditions identify his father as a butcher; his modest origin became a topic of criticism later, when he amassed wealth and power that critics thought more befitting a member of the high [[nobility]]. Wolsey attended [[Ipswich School]]{{sfn|Jack|2012}} and [[Magdalen College School, Oxford|Magdalen College School]] before studying theology at [[Magdalen College, Oxford]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cameron |first1=T.&nbsp;W. |title=The Early Life of Thomas Wolsey |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/546612 |journal=The English Historical Review |year=1888 |volume=3 |issue=11 |pages=458–477 |publisher=Oxford University Press |jstor=546612 |access-date=20 February 2023}}</ref>

On 10 March 1498, he was ordained as a priest in [[Marlborough, Wiltshire|Marlborough]], Wiltshire,<ref name="openplaque2710" /> and remained in Oxford, first as the Master of Magdalen College School, and soon the dean of divinity. From 1500 to 1509, Wolsey held a living as rector of [[Church of Saint Mary, Limington|St Mary's Church, Limington]], in Somerset.<ref name="NHLE1056844" />

In 1502, he became a chaplain to [[Henry Deane (archbishop of Canterbury)|Henry Deane]], archbishop of Canterbury, who died the following year.{{sfn|Jack|2012}} He was then taken into the household of Sir [[Richard Nanfan]], who made Wolsey executor of his estate.<ref>{{cite DNB |wstitle= Nanfan, Richard |volume= 40 |last= Archbold |first= W.&nbsp;A.&nbsp;J. |author-link= |pages=31-32 |short= 1}}</ref> After Nanfan's death in 1507, Wolsey entered the service of King [[Henry VII of England|Henry VII]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 April 2024 |title=Thomas, Cardinal Wolsey |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Cardinal-Wolsey |access-date=29 June 2024 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref>

Wolsey benefited from Henry VII's introduction of measures to curb the power of the nobility; the king was willing to favour those from more humble backgrounds.{{sfn|Gunn|2008}} Henry VII appointed Wolsey [[Ecclesiastical Household|royal chaplain]].{{sfn|Williams|1971|p=26}} In this position Wolsey served as secretary to [[Richard Foxe]], who recognised Wolsey's ability, dedication, industry and willingness to take on tedious tasks.{{sfn|Davies|2010}} Wolsey's remarkable rise to power from humble origins attests to his intelligence, administrative ability, industriousness, ambition, and rapport with the king. In April 1508, Wolsey was sent to Scotland to discuss with [[James IV of Scotland|King James IV]] rumours of the renewal of the [[Auld Alliance]].{{sfn|Macdougall|1989|p=254}}{{sfn|Mackie|Spillman|1953|pp= xlii, 107–111}}

Wolsey's rise coincided with the accession in April 1509 of Henry VIII, whose character, policies and attitude to diplomacy differed significantly from his father's. In 1509 Henry appointed Wolsey to the post of almoner, a position that gave him a seat on the [[Privy Council]] and an opportunity to attain greater prominence and establish personal rapport with the king.{{sfn|Williams|1971|p=26}} A factor in Wolsey's rise was the young Henry VIII's relative lack of interest in the details of government during his early years.{{sfn|Ives|2009}}