8) Henry VIII, Government and parliament Flashcards
How had the function of Parliament changed
Before 1530s there was little to suggest that Henry viewed the role of Parliament differently to his father with his two main functions of granting extraordinary revenue and passing laws
Before 1529 Henry summoned Parliament only four times with his first Minister Wolsey only summoning one Parliament
What was the use of Parliament like during Henry‘s reign
In the first part of his reign Parliament were used within the same patterns as his father. The primary reason for calling Parliament was to secure revenue. Wolsey seem to have been reluctant to use Parliament
Cromwell exploited its legislative possibilities much more thoroughly as a result Parliament met much more frequently during the second half of Henry‘s reign and for a longer duration
Why did the conciliar government of 1509 to 1514 breakdown
Because some of Henry’s fathers senior councillors were reluctant to support a war with France
He became more attuned to governing, making his own decisions
Henry surrounded himself with like-minded young Courtiers who reinforce his suspicions of the old guard
Became impressed by the organisation skills of Thomas Wolsey who effectively managed the French campaign
What were the characteristics of Thomas Wolsey
Uncanny ability at least in the early years to give Henry precisely what he wanted or to convince the king of what he assumed he wanted
Influence was derived from the closeness of his relationship with the king than from the formal position he held
Complimented the Kings hands off approach to the details of policy-making
The management of the church and the conduct of foreign relations, most concerns were the legal system, the formation of domestic policy and policy decision-making
What was the problem with the privy chamber
Laid outside the control of Wolsey before 1519
Increased its role when the kings minions became gentlemen of the privy chamber
This process transformed both their status and that of the privy chamber
What was Walseys period of dominance
1515-29
What was the court of Chancery
Wolsey was not a lawyer but had the responsibility of overseeing the legal system
He presided over this court and try to use the court to uphold fair justice
Deal with problems relating to enclosure, contracts and land left to others in wills
What was the court of star chamber
Wolsey’s most distinctive legal contribution
An offshoot of the kings Council and became the centre of both government and justice on the Wolsey
Increase cheap and fair justice, heard cases of alleged misconduct by people who were dominant in the localities
Encouraged the use of star chamber for private lawsuits
Proved too successful and forced to set up overflow tribunal
What was the finances like on the Wolsey
He changed the way some studies were collected and his methods were repeated when later subsidies were demanded
Instead of allowing local commissioners to assess taxpayers wealth, he set up a national committee which he headed himself. With direct and realistic assessment of the wealth of taxpayers, the national revenue base consequently became more realistic
Rosie raised extraordinary revenue for Henry’s war in France but the amount was insufficient consequently Boerse attempted to raise extraordinary revenue without Parliamentary sanction through the amicable Grant of 1525 leading to an almost rebellion
What was the Eltham ordinances
In order to reform the finances of the privy chamber
Pushed forward proposals for a reduction of household expenditure therefore reducing the number of gentlemen of the privy chamber.The one area of government he did not have control
Henry’s groom of the store Sir William Campton was replaced with henry norris
What were the effects of the kings great matter
In the short term it led to the downfall of Wolsey
Long-term it establish royal supremacy
How did the kings great matter come about
By the mid 1520s Henry had become dissatisfied at the date of his marriage to Catherine who was five years older and was passed childbearing age
Only one child Princess Mary had survived infancy
Considered legitimatising his son Henry Fitzroy a plan born of desperation but unlikely to succeed
He had fallen in love with anne Boleyn who was unwilling to become the kings mistress
Henry requested Wolsey to secure papal dispensation for the annulment of his marriage to Catherine, Which becomes a major problem
