Patch is Cardinal Wolsey’s fool, whom he gives to King Henry as a goodwill gesture even though Patch protests this violently. After the cardinal’s death, some courtiers put on a play that mocks Wolsey and shows him being carried off to Hell, and Cromwell sees that Patch plays the part of the cardinal. Patch symbolizes the necessity of transforming oneself in order to survive a difficult situation, even though the change might seem cruel or traitorous.
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Patch/Sexton Character Timeline in Wolf Hall
The timeline below shows where the character Patch/Sexton appears in Wolf Hall. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 2: Chapter 1: Visitation, 1529
The horses are ready for them at Putney, and Wolsey’s horse is led by Patch, the cardinal’s fool. Henry Norris rides to them, bringing a message and a ring to...
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Part 3: Chapter 2: Entirely Beloved Cromwell, Spring-December 1530
...to know who played the part of the cardinal, and he sees that it is Patch, the cardinal’s old fool who had protested so violently when the cardinal sent him to...
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Patch is sticking out his tongue from behind the screen in the direction of the king...
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