 This was significant, as Stepney was Thomas Cromwell's church, where he and his family worshipped.Gardiner was firing a warning shot in his rival's direction.Still rising in royal favour, Thomas Cromwell was created Earl of Essex on 17 April, and his son, Gregory assumed the courtesy title of Lord Cromwell (from his father's secondary title of Baron Cromwell, of Wimbledon in the County of Surrey).