2 - Factions at court and the succession

Question 1

Why was Henry unhappy with Cromwell?

Answer 1

1. He didnt like the extent of religious change being carried out by Cromwell
2. Anne of Cleves situation (1539)

Question 2

What heightened Henry’s distaste for Anne of Cleves?

Answer 2

Catherine Howard

Question 3

Why did the presence of Catherine Howard threaten Cromwell’s position?

Answer 3

She was the niece of the Duke of Norfolk, Cromwell’s bitterest rival on the Privy Council, so the Duke was able to use this opportunity to poison the King and Cromwell’s relationship

Question 4

Did the Duke of Norfolks attempts work AT FIRST?

Answer 4

Not at the start since Cromwell was still temporarily in favour - In early 1940, He was made Earl of Essex

BUT

As the Duke instructed Catherine to spread rumours that Cromwell wasnt carrying out the divorce quickly enough, suggesting that Cromwell was focusingon matters regarding protestant reform,

Question 5

How did the Duke finally create suspicion in Henry’s mind about Cromwell

Answer 5

He instructed Catherine to spread rumours that Cromwell wasnt carrying out the divorce quickly enough.
- Knowing that Henry was keen to resist further protestant changes, he suggested that Cromwell was focusing on protecting a group of protestants at Calais

Question 6

What made Henry believe that Cromwell was pursuing his own interests, rather than the Kings?

Answer 6

1. The attempted protestant alliance with the Schmalkaldic League
2. Cromwell’s own religious preferences
3. The Anne of Cleves marriage
4. Failing to enforce Act of 6 articles

Question 7

What sort of person was Cromwell?

Answer 7

1. A law abider ( e.g.In 1530s, 883 people charged with treason. 329 executed’)
2. Strong believer of protestant reforms
3. Cunning and scheming, with no morality (Anne Boleyn situation)

Question 8

What were the 2 main factions during the last years of Henry VIII’s reign?

Answer 8

Reform and Conservative faction

Question 9

Why is it hard to determine the political importance of Henry as the manipulator of courtly politics, during the last years of his reign?

Answer 9

Because factionalism started to appear as the driving force of political development at the time

Question 10

Why was factionalism a good thing?

Answer 10

it prevented one view of politics from dominating and encouraged discussion of important matters like religious change

Question 11

What placed the Conservative faction at an advantage in 1540?

Answer 11

1. The 6 Articles Act
2. Cromwell had fallen from power
3. Increased access to Henry through Catherine Howard marriage

Question 12

How did the Conservative faction lose favour in 1541-1542?

Answer 12

1. Evidence was found of Catherines unfaithfulness, and the men accused of adultery were executed in 1541, whilst she was executed in 1542 for treason.
2. After attempting to implicate Cramner and Catherine Parr, Henry supported them both. Catherine was also a protestant sympathiser and gathered protestant scholars to educate Henry’s children
3. Catherine was also a protestant sympathiser and gathered protestant scholars to educate Henry’s children

Question 13

How did Henry secure his children’s safe succession, before his death?

Answer 13

Succession Act in 1544 - named Edward as heir ,with Mary and Elizabeth next in line if he failed to survive/produce more children

Question 14

What was the main difference between the ideology of the 2 factions?

Answer 14

Conservative = accepted break with Rome, but opposed doctrinal changes

Reform = accepted break with Rome, seeing it as opportunity to introduce protestant doctrines into Church

Question 15

Who were the 2 factions led by?

Answer 15

Conservative = Duke of Norfolk

Reform = Edward Seymour and Archbishop Cramner

Question 16

What events were the conservative faction associated with?

Answer 16

1. The 6 Articles Act (1539)
2. The Fall of Cromwell
3. Catherine Howard
4. Plot against Cramner (1543)
5. Plot against Catherine Parr (1546)

Question 17

What events were the reform faction associated with?

Answer 17

1. Foreign policy success in Scotland
2. Fall of Catherine Howard
3. Catherine Parr
4. Plot against Gardiner (1544)
5. Arrest of Norfolk (1546)

Question 18

What was the plot against Gardiner?

Answer 18

A plot in 1544, where reformers accused a leading bishop of treason
- This pushed him out of the Regency Council

Question 19

Who was Anthony Denny?

Answer 19

A reformist that was made the Chief Gentlemen of the Kings Privy Chamber
- He was given access to Dry Stamp, which let him legalise any document (including Henry’s will)

Question 20

How was the conservative faction finally broken apart in 1546?

Answer 20

Duke of Norfolk and Earl of Surrey were convicted of treason
- Surrey was executed a week before Henry’s death

Question 21

How did Henry’s will work in the reformists favour?

Answer 21

They had access to it due to Sir Anthony Denny’s position so they added provisions to it that strengthened the Regency Council, established to rule on Edward’s behalf

Question 22

Who was Earl of Hertford and what did he do after Henry’s death?

Answer 22

1. He was Lord Protector and Duke of Somerset, as well as being Edward’s uncle and a reformist
2. He used his power to promote supporters with new titles and positions in gov, and he appointed his own larger Privy Council

Question 23

Which faction triumphed by the end of Henry’s reign?

Answer 23

The reformists