1. Character and Aims Flashcards
When did Henry VIII become King?
Two months before his eighteenth birthday in 1509.
How did Henry VIII become heir?
His elder brother, Arthur, died in 1502.
Since then, he had been prepared for the role of future King.
He had become acquainted with the new learning of humanism and was well read.
However, he had no experience of government or public affairs.
How was Henry VIII’s accession viewed?
It was welcomed after the frustrating and sinister atmosphere associated with the influence of Empson and Dudley during Henry VII’s reign.
How was Henry VIII’s style of Kingship different from his fathers?
He had a profound dislike for the business of government.
However, often suddenly intervened in it which had considerable implications for the quality of decision making.
He also lacked the work ethic of his father and preferred courtly activities like pageants, revelry, sports, hunting and tournaments
How did the structure of government change under Henry VIII?
Renewed emphasis on governing through council.
For two periods during his reign, he relied on a chief minister who shaped the structure of government to meet their needs.
These were Thomas Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell.
What did Henry VII leave to Henry VIII?
Money- Believed he left around £300,000.
Unpopular mechanisms for extracting money.
A peaceful foreign policy.
A conciliar form of government- decisions were made through a council.
What happened to the things that Henry VII left his son?
They would disappear during the first few years of his reign.
Money- Used to pay for an aggressive foreign policy with France.
Conciliar Government- Emergence of Thomas Wolsey’s new government.
What did Richard Fox, Sir Thomas Lovell and Richard Weston do?
At the beginning of Henry VIII’s reign they secured the arrest of Richard Empson and Edmond Dudley.
They were executed on 17th August 1510.
This distanced Henry from his father’s regime and made him popular amongst the nobility who saw themselves as victims of his father’s approach to taxation.
What happened to the Council Learned in the Law?
It was abolished by an act of parliament in January 1510.
This came with the cancellation of many of the bonds and recognisances which they had imposed.
What were Henry VIII’s key aims in the first years of his reign?
To establish his status amongst European monarchs through marriage.
To re-establish the role of the nobility.
To establish himself as a warrior king through success in battle.
Who was Henry’s first wife?
Catherine of Aragon.
She was Henry’s elder brother’s widow.
Why did his councilors want Henry to marry Catherine?
They believed it might deflect Henry from political matters and enable them to conduct conciliar business as usual.
When did Henry marry Catherine?
11th June 1509
What position did the nobility hold during the reign of Henry VII?
They were largely frozen due to the direct power of Henry VII.3
His peaceful foreign policy also prevented them from carrying out military conquests.
How did the position of the nobility change under Henry VIII?
He shared an interest in military culture with the aristocracy.
Sons of the nobility partnered Henry in sports at the start of his reign.
They accompanied him into war in Northern France and Scotland.
