on."6 This matter was based on the situation in the fashionable Benedictine convent at Wilton. The abbess, Cecily Willoughby, died and the factions formed in support of a new abbess. The nuns supported the prioress, Isabel Jordayn, who promised strict reforms. Another candidate was Eleanor Carey, sister of Anne Boleyn's brother-in-law William Carey. (William Carey is also the husband of Henry's former mistress Mary Carey.) Henry was persuaded by Anne to appoint Eleanor Carey the new abbess, but upon discovering that Eleanor had a seedy past including affairs with two priests and children that she herself had borne, she was dismissed. Wolsey had supported Eleanor to help stay in favor with Henry but now he took his chance to nominate Isabel Jordayn as abbess. This put Henry in a position that he did not relish. He did not want to offend Anne but he had no other choice. So instead of letting either side win this battle, Henry did not appoint Isabel and instead demanded that a third candidate be found. Wosey, rather than attempting to stay in good favor with Henry, stood by his choice. Wolsey got his way and Wilton had a new abbess, Isabel Jordayn, a reformer who would make the convent stricter. This win did come with a price. Henry was furious with Wolsey and these actions seemed to show Henry not only Wolsey's disobedience but that he could not be trusted. Henry bluntly accused Wolsey of lying in a letter:Ah, my lord, it is a double offense, both to do ill and to colour it too; but with men that hath wit it cannot be accepted so. Wherefore, good my lord, use no more that way with me, for there be no man living that more hateth it."7 The Wilton affair was a major turning point in the situation in England. Wolsey had learned that his power was much weakened and that the results of the quest for this annulment could effect his future as well. Henry was growing suspicious of Wolsey and his disloyal behavior and this created...
