Thomas Cromwell , 1st Earl of Essex , KG , PC ( c. 1485 â `` 28 July 1540 ) was an English statesman . He was King Henry VIII 's chief minister ( like Prime Minister ) from 1532 to 1540 . Thomas Cromwell , 1st Earl of Essex , ( b. in or before 1485 , executed 28 July 1540 ) , was an English statesman who served as chief minister of King Henry VIII of England from 1532 to 1540 .