St Peter's and the Cardinal

Today St Peter’s is a vibrant community venue hosting events, concerts and exhibitions but the church is also steeped in history. The current building dates from around 1460 and is the second church built on the site. The first was completed by 1100 to serve a growing population that lived outside the walls of Marlborough Castle, just a stone’s throw away. The first recorded Rector was “Thomas the Chaplain” in 1201 and there is a complete list of Rectors from 1297. But probably the most famous priest associated with St Peter’s is Thomas Wolsey who was ordained in the church on 10th March 1498. Wolsey went on to become one of the most powerful men in the country as Lord Chancellor and chief adviser to Henry VIII. He was also the most senior cleric in the country after being appointed Cardinal in 1515. Despite his power and influence, Wolsey fell from favour when he failed to secure the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon. As a result Wolsey was charged with treason and summoned to London, but died of natural causes on the way there. Wolsey was said to have loved cats, despite the animals not being the most favoured of Tudor pets. Many people associated cats with witchcraft, but this did not deter Wolsey from having several. There are stories of Wolsey travelling with two cats whenever he accompanied Henry VIII on a Royal Progress. It is also said that a cat would sit by his side during church services.