# Thomas Cromwell on fundraising and leaving a charitable legacy

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/03/20/thomas-cromwell-on-fundraising-and-leaving-a-charitable-legacy/
- Published: 2015-03-20T16:35:05+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Hilary Mantel’s _Wolf Hall_ includes a number of references to charitable giving,
the art of asking (such as for major gifts), and the importance of leaving a legacy.**

Whether the fictional and revisionist Thomas Cromwell presented by Mantel in her
books was a model donor or fundraiser is debatable. But here are three quotes that
I have spotted and thought worth sharing.
 

## 1. If you don’t ask

Cromwell, the experienced lawyer and merchant, knows the fundraiser’s mantra well.
He gives this advice to Mary Boleyn, sister of Anne, and widow of William Carey.
Later in the same conversation she quotes it back at him.
⌊Thomas Cromwell - 'Don't
ask, don't get'⌉ 

## Advertisement

## 2. Sponsoring students

Cromwell sponsors two students at Cambridge University, and derives satisfaction
from doing so. It occurs to him that he could do more, and that he should write 
his will.
 ⌊thomas-cromwell-leaving-a-legacy⌉ 

## 3. Making a will

Mantel details Thomas Cromwell’s will. He makes provision for his family and servants,
but also includes some charitable bequests, including ‘forty pounds to be divided
between forty poor maidens on their marriage’.

⌊Thomas-Cromwell's-will⌉⌊Thomas-Cromwell's-will⌉

 * **[Sunday Times Rich List 2015](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/04/20/sunday-times-rich-list-2/)**(
   20 April 2015)
 * **[The unhappy philanthropist](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/07/01/the-unhappy-philanthropist/)**(
   1 July 2015)
 * **[Saudi Prince pledges all his £20 billion wealth to charities](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/07/03/saudi-prince-pledges-all-his-20bn-wealth-to-charities/)**(
   3 July 2015)