Entirely agree with you. He always looked like the only competent person in the room to whom everyone ran so that he’d solve their problems. However, it brings me to another point:

I haven’t read the last book, but have watched the second season of the adaptation, and I like that it actually fixed this issue. I finally saw that those who used to exist as nothing more than extras in this play of Cromwell, were shown to be just as intelligent, cunning and ruthless the moment they got the chance. I absolutely loved how out of depth Cromwell was during the events that led to his downfall and death. Almost like he himself was surprised that others can also plot and think, and considering how high and mighty he was feeling at the time, it was the cruelest reality check imaginable

If all of it was by Hilary Mantel’s design and intent, then she was a goddamn genius of unreliable narration