During his rise to power, Cromwell made many enemies, including his former ally Anne Boleyn. He played a prominent role in her downfall. ... Cromwell was arraigned under a bill of attainder and executed for treason and heresy on Tower Hill on 28 July 1540. The king later expressed regret at the loss of his chief minister.

Why did Henry VIII execute Thomas Cromwell?

When members of the Catholic aristocracy persuaded Henry VIII that Cromwell should die, the clincher for the king was the accusation that Cromwell was a heretic. So in Henry's mind, Cromwell was executed for the right reason – heresy.

What caused the downfall of Thomas Cromwell?

He ruthlessly dispatched those who stood against him and his royal master, notably his rival Thomas More and Henry's notorious second wife Anne Boleyn. His downfall came after he arranged Henry's short-lived marriage to Anne of Cleves. He was imprisoned at the Tower of London before his execution in 1540.