Low birth and resented by the nobility. Rise a combination of luck, talent, hard work, etc. Quick to recognise opportunities for promotion and a great flatterer. Henry had little interest in day to day running of kingdom and Wolsey was an extremely hard worker. Chaplain of Henry VII and Dean of Lincoln, so sent on diplomatic missions for old king. Wolsey told king what he wanted to hear, different to Fox and Warham. Took on organisational tasks for 1513, and did anything and went against anyone to fulfill the king's wishes. By mid-1514 basically in charge. 1515 Lord Chancellor and a cardinal. 1518 papal legate. His position depended entirely on pleasing the king.