Wolf Hall

Throughout Wolf Hall, many characters, including people close to Thomas Cromwell, fall victim to plague. While many readers may be familiar with the “Black Death”, the bubonic plague which ravaged Europe and England in the middle ages, the plagues in the time of Henry’s court are ill-defined. The most common was the English Sweat (or simply “the sweat”), the disease contracted by Liz, Anne, Mercy, Kat, and Morgan Williams. It could kill an otherwise healthy person within half a day—though recovery is quick if one survives beyond that.

The plague symbolizes randomness and presents a leveling influence in the novel. Thomas is a man who likes strict order. He has built his fortune on his ability to control himself and others. However, the sweat kills most of his family. This is a reminder that there are always forces beyond one’s control. The plague delineates and overturns social class. It does not discriminate between a peasant and a nobleman. Consequently, it is feared by Henry and the rest of the noble class, who usually escape to the countryside to avoid the contagion. The plague can kill a king as easily as it kills his lowest subjects.

Thomas himself nearly succumbs to a disease, despite his tough constitution. Rafe warns him to stop his eighteen-hour workdays, but Thomas refuses to listen. Illness proves to be a valuable lesson for Thomas. After years of planning and plotting, of physical and mental exertion, he is “tired out from the effort of examining the world. Tired from the effort of smiling at the foe” (569). His touch with death is a reminder that he cannot control everything, nor does he have to. As he convalesces, Thomas believes he “is better and he wants work brought in, but the doctors forbid it” (570). Richard reminds him that he is not alone. Thomas has a network of support that he himself built. 

In contrast to Mantel’s use of vicious wolf imagery, dogs are a symbol of commitment and loyalty in Wolf Hall. They represent Thomas’ devotion to his friends and masters. While Norfolk and other courtiers are more like wolves, Thomas is compared to a dog. Early on in the novel, Sir Thomas Boleyn calls Cardinal Wolsey “Butcher’s boy” and Thomas, “Butcher’s dog” (64). While he meant this as an insult to Thomas (and though calling someone “dog” usually is an insult), Thomas’ loyalty to his masters makes this an apt comparison. Indeed, it is this loyalty that endears him to King Henry. The king tells Thomas, “I hate ingratitude. I hate disloyalty. That is why I value a man like you. You were good to your old master in his trouble. Nothing could commend you more to me, than that” (502). Even though Henry turned on Wolsey, he recognizes that Thomas is an asset.

Dogs also represent Thomas’ tender, caring side. Throughout his life, Thomas Cromwell frequently has a dog named Bella. He finds the first one while coming back from the house where his uncle works. The dog is small and sick, and soon dies. Another Bella is left behind when he runs away from Putney. The third Bella lives a happy life with Thomas’ family at Austin Friars. During their first meeting, Anne Boleyn’s dogs, “the kind of dogs, Bellas, with ragged ears and tiny wafting tails,” immediately take a liking to him (185). Thomas and Anne connect somewhat over her dogs. Anne comments “Vous etes gentil” (“You are gentile”) (185 after watching Thomas’ care in scooping up the little dogs and bringing them back. There is a caring, gentle nature behind Thomas’ rough exterior.