1.7 Henry VIII aims Flashcards
Legacy: In what ways were the Henrys’ upbringings similar?
-VIII had grown up away from Arthur, as VII had been with his whole family.
-Neither were brought up with the expectation that they would be king, as VIII’s older brother had died in 1502 (so he had spent most of his youth as the spare).
Legacy: In what ways were the Henrys’ upbringings different?
-VIII had a very structured education, having been taught by John Skelton, while VII grew up in exile.
-VIII was brought up as a prince, and so was a well-versed musician, and athlete.
-VIII was rarey exposed to politics and court, while VII was brought up within the Breton court, and was well exposed.
-VIII acquired the throne through succession, while VII won it in battle.
Legacy: What had been the main aspects of Henry VII’s legacy?
-Money, as he had strengthened royal revenue, leaving £300,000.
-Powerful foregin policy.
-Concilliar Government
Legacy: How did VIII dismantle VII’s legacy of stability?
-VIII had wanted to move away from VII’s isolationist stability, and return to the idea of a Warrior King, like Henry V.
-Hence, he invaded France in 1512&3, undermining VII’s establishment of peace, and resulting in the loss of the French pension. While this was later recovered, it was the work of Wolsey, not Henry.
Legacy: How did VIII dismantle VII’s legacy of government?
-While there was emphasis on a concilliar style of government in VIII’s early years, this was soon elapsed by VIII’s favourites.
-While he originally retained some of VII’s key councillors, like Richard Fox, it was Thomas Wolsey, and later Thomas Cromwell, who were VIII’s key advisors.
Legacy: How did VIII dismantle VII’s legacy of finance?
-He cancelled some of VII’s bonds.
-He quickly wasted most of the money that VII had left on war with France, to such an extent that he had to liquidate assets
-He also abolished the Council Learned in 1510, which further reduced royal income.
Legacy: How did VIII dismantle VII’s legacy of foreign peace?
-French Wars in 1512&3, as well as combat with Scotland at the 1513 Battle of Flodden
-Went against his councillors, who had expected a continuation of the Treaty of Etaples, and advised against French wars.
-Shows his utmost concern was becoming a warrior king.
Legacy: How did VIII dismantle VII’s legacy with the noblity?
-VII had been incredibly unpopular with the nobility, due to his distrust and high taxation.
-Hence, VIII, just two days after his accesion, had Empson and Dudley (who had been responsible for around 84 cases of illegally extracting money) arrested, and 16 months later executed.
-Improved relations with nobles through wars, as the Earl of Surrey commanded in Scotland & the Marquis of Dorset in south-west France.
Aims: What were Henry VIII’s early aims?
-Establish his status amongst European monarchs through marriage.
-Re-establish the role of the nobility.
-Establish himself as a warrior king through success in battle.
Aims: What were the complications with Henry’s marriage to Catherine? When did it eventually take place?
-Catherine had been Arthur’s wife, before his death in 1502.
-However, councillors hoped that Henry’s marriage would distract him from political matters, allowing them to consuct business as usual.
-Henry’s marriage took place on the 11th June 1509.
Aims: What evidence is there that Henry had been ruthless with the nobility, despite his aims?
-Buckingham had been the only english Duke at the beginning of Henry’s reign, and was a descendant of Edward III.
-Buckingham had been under Henry’s suspicion, as he had been discussing the issue of Henry’s succession.
-Bukingham was executed in May 1521.
Aims: On the whole, what did Henry’s early years reveal about him?
-The swiftness of his marriage to Catherine demonstrated his impulsivity.
-The wars with France demonstrated his naivety, and lack of understanding of foreign affairs.
