7 - The Character + Aims Of Henry VIII Flashcards
What legacy did Henry VII leave for Henry VIII?
A STABLE COUNTRY
- Financial stability: solvent treasury with approx £10,000 cash + £300,000 plate and jewels
- Peaceful foreign policy: only slight issues were cautious relationship with Ferdinand (Spain) + exclusion from League of Cambrai (1508)
- Strong internal system of gov: conciliar gov + limited use of parliament
- Control stamped over nobility
- Good religious status: good relations with Pope + little opposition to Catholicism (BUT opposition growing)
When did Henry VII die?
21st April 1509
How long was Henry VII’s death kept secret for?
2 days
When was Henry VII proclaimed King?
23rd April 1509
When was Henry VIII’s coronation?
24th June 1509
What was the general reaction to Henry VIII’s accession?
Welcomed
- Seen as dawn of new age under Renaissance Prince, “the end of our slavery, the fount of our liberty, the end of sadness, the beginning of joy”(T.More)
- Seen as leaving behind the harsh “Winter King”(T.Penn)
What did Henry VIII look like?
GAVE OFF IMAGE OF A STRONG KING (despite youth)
- Tall (6ft2”)
- Athletically built
- Took pride in his image, as acted as symbol of power (e.g. wore jewellery to look impressive - 1547 inventory listed over 3000 gemstones)(e.g. Venetian ambassador said he was among the “best dressed sovereign[s]”)
How old was Henry VIII when he became King?
17
Was Henry VIII prepared for Kingship?
Initially not
- Not sent to Ludlow Castle as custom for Prince of Wales
- Raised in family nursery at Eltham Palace with the girls
Since brother died he had received more education on kingship
What were Henry VIII’s physical attributes when he became King?
- Skilled sportsman, hunter + warrior (“capital sportsman + fine jouster”)
- Musical (played many instruments + good voice)
- Dancer
What were Henry VIII’s mental attributes when he became King?
- Well educated
- Skilled linguist (proficient in French + Latin)
- Studied maths, astronomy, theology
- Read widely (despite calling it “a chore”)
How was Henry VIII educated?
- Received a humanist education
- Embraced ideas of Renaissance (reviving classical learning)
- Education overseen by Margaret Beaufort who employed talented Cambridge scholars (e.g. poet John Skelton) as his tutors
Was Henry VIII clever?
Yes
- Described by Erasmus as a “universal genius” (likely exaggeration but he was one of the cleverest monarchs)
What was Henry VIII’s initial personality like?
SPOKEN OF POSITIVELY
- “affable + gracious”(Venetian ambassador)
- “extrovert, affable + charming”(Ives)
- BUT did have some deep rooted arrogance, being attention seeking + believing everything he did had God’s approval
What was Henry VIII’s later personality like?
SPOKEN OF NEGATIVELY
- Increasingly cruel + violent (executions)
- Volatile mood swings (“different opinions in the morning than after dinner”)
When did Henry VIII’s personality shift?
- Debated
- Suzannah Lipscomb says 1536 - “annus horribilis” (I agree)
Why might Henry VIII’s personality have shifted after 1536?
Up to this point health declining, which stopped him doing the physical activities he had loved
- Immobile (varicose ulcer on left leg from 1527 jousting accident)
- Fat (waist 54” by 1541)
In 1536 lots of bad events happened to push him over the edge
- Near fatal horse fall
- Anne Boleyn miscarriage then execution for adultery
- No legitimate heir (Mary: made illegitimate in 1533 + Henry Fitzroy)
- Pilgrimage of Grace rebellion
What were Henry VIII’s initial aims?
Preserve the positive aspects of his father’s legacy, but distance himself from the negative aspects
- Distance himself from the oppression under Henry VII
- Re-establish the role of the nobility whilst keeping a strong gov
- Secure his succession
- Assert his dominance as a warrior king internationally
What were Henry VIII’s later aims?
Became more selfish, wanting to get his own way in every case, despite this sometimes jeopardising the protection of his father’s successful legacy
What actions did Henry VIII take to complete the aim of: distancing himself from the oppression under Henry VII?
- Show trials + executions of Empson + Dudley
- Abolished the Council Learned + cancelled many existing bonds
- Set up the Commissions of Oyer + Terminer
What actions did Henry VIII take to complete the aim of: re-establishing the role of the nobility whilst keeping a strong gov?
- Stopped treating them so harshly (e.g. removal of Council Learned + many existing bonds that had acted as ‘stick’ under Henry VII to keep nobles loyal)
What actions did Henry VIII take to complete the aim of: securing his succession?
- Married Catherine of Aragon quickly
What actions did Henry VIII take to complete the aim of: asserting his dominance as a warrior king internationally?
- Made clear from the outset that he aimed to reconquer lands in France (inspired by Henry V’s heroic victory at Agincourt in 1415)
- Led 3 campaigns in France (despite warnings from his father’s old councillors, e.g. Fox + Warham)
When were the show trials of Empson + Dudley? Who arranged them?
- 24th April 1509
- Arranged by advisers of Henry VIII: Fox, Lovell, Weston
What were Empson + Dudley charged with?
Treason
When were Empson + Dudley executed?
August 1510
When was the Council Learned abolished?
Jan 1510
Many existing bonds + recognisances also cancelled
What were the Commissions of Oyer + Terminer?
Organisation that allowed people to seek out any grievances against past King’s (Henry VII) agents
- Wasn’t used much
- Acted more as symbol that Henry VIII was on the side of the people + shouldn’t be associated by the harsh aspects of his father’s rule
What was Henry VII’s view on nobles?
Mistrusting (due to threatening power + influence) unless they had proven their personal loyalty
What was Henry VIII’s view on nobles?
- Much more trusting than his father (had grown up with them as his peers, in sport etc + felt throne less threatened, as rightful heir)
- Some mistrust remained (inherited from his father)
Give 2 examples of Henry VIII still not completely trusting the nobility
- Chief minister never a noble
- Duke of Buckingham’s execution in May 1521 (charged with treason after King wrote to Wolsey about concern for lack of loyalty from Buckingham + 4 other nobles)
When did Henry VIII announce his plan to marry Catherine of Aragon?
27th April 1509 (6 days after Henry VII’s death)
When did Henry VIII marry Catherine of Aragon?
11th June 1509
When was Catherine of Aragon’s coronation as queen?
24th June 1509 (shared Henry’s coronation)
Why did Henry VIII choose to marry Catherine of Aragon?
Accessible (allowing for quick marriage)
- Had been held in English court after 1502 death of Arthur
Strategic
- Would strengthen English alliance with Spain after some negative feelings between Ferdinand + England when Henry VII didn’t support his claim to Castile
What were the issues with marriage to Catherine of Aragon?
- Needed papal dispensation (to marry brother’s widow)
- She was 5yrs older
- She would hinder his search for an heir (6 miscarriages - 1 female heir Mary)
How was Henry VIII’s foreign policy different to his father’s? Why?
- Didn’t just want peace with other countries, wanted POWER
- Felt more able to strive for dominance, because felt more stable on the throne (he was rightful heir in a fairly secure state)
When were Henry VIII’s French campaigns?
1512-14
1523-5
1543-6
Who was Henry Fitzroy?
Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, that he had with Elizabeth Blount
