AS FP2 : Henry VIII, character and aims ; addressing Henry VII's legacy Flashcards
Conceptual Awareness, H7’s legacy
How secure was England upon Henry VII’s death?
Upon Henry VII’s death in 1509 England was relatively secure, all major threats had been dealt with, apart from the White Rose who remained in Europe ; however Ireland still remained a largely uncontrolable area.
Conceptual Awareness, H7’s legacy
What was the state of Crown Finances after Henry VII’s death?
The crown was solvent, £300,000 in jewels and gold plate as well as £100,000 in cash. However the methods by which Henry VII collected made him extremely unpopular amongst the nobility.
Conceptual Awareness, H7’s legacy
What were some of the positive aspects of Henry VII’s reign?
Despite some unpopular methods of raising revenue, Henry VII bequethed a peaceful kingdom to his son as his peaceful foreign policy and effecient government had helped provide stability and a welcome respite after the war of the roses.
Conceptual Awareness, H7’s legacy
What was the international state of England at the end of Henry VII’s reign?
By 1509 England was diplomatically isolated, this was due to the ‘League of Cambai’ in 1508 and the failure of Henry, for the most part, to make a successful marriage alliance for himself or secure the marriage between Henry and Catherine.
(However, Treaty of Perpetual Peace 1502).
Conceptual Awareness, H7’s legacy
How did Henry VIII ‘react’ to Henry VII’s legacy?
What Henry VII had left for his son would disappear during the first few years of Henry VIII’s reign ; the money Henry inherited would vanish as a result for paying for a traditionally agressive foreign policy towards France. The Concillor government would disappear in the short-term due to the emergeance of Wolsey.
- Changes in council, Fox + lovell + Weston secured the arrest and execution of Empson and Dudley (1510).
- Abolition of Council Learned, cancellation of bonds and recognisances - ensured Henry’s popularity amongst the nobility and distances himself from his father’s reign.
For better or for worse, he comprehensively destroyed his father’s legacy through warfare (1513 Campaigns) and extravagance.
Henry VIII’s character
What was Henry VIII’s attitude towards kingship?
Henry VIII wanted more than to just maintain the dynasty and defend England, he wanted to be a warrior king.
- Rejected peaceful foreign policy for an costly, expensive one ; spoke of his righful inheritence to the French Crown and commissioned a translation of a book about Henry V.
Henry VIII’s character
What does the manner of Henry VIII’s ascension display about his personality?
The manner of Henry VIII’s ascension displays an astuteness and ruthlessness on the part of the new king :
- Death of H7 concealed for 2 days while the King and Councillors secured his position.
- Execution of Empson and Dudley acted as a symbol of an end to the old ways of ruling.
Henry VIII’s character
How did Henry VIII’s method of ruling differ from his father’s?
- He lacked a strong work ethic, enjoying courtly activities such as hunting and jousting.
- While he had little interest in the daily business of government, he could act decisively when he chose to do so ; this affected the quality of decision making in Henry’s administration.
- He relied heavily on others, members of the council and, at times, a chief minister - changing structure of government.
Henry VIII’s character
What are some of Henry VIII’s character traits?
- Ruthlessness and cynicism,
- insecurity (wilingness to resort to execution for treason)
- impulsivity (his marriages)
- Henry believed in his divine right to rule.
Henry VIII’s character
Why did the structure of government evolve during Henry VIII’s reign?
As Henry was rarely engaged directly with the business of government, the structure of government evolved differently alongside the reign of Henry VIII.
- Short term, renewed emphasis on government by council (1509 -1512) (1529-1532) (1540-1547)
- Two periods during his reign, Henry relied on a chief minister who shaped the strcuture of government to his own needs : Wolsey, 1512-1529 and Cromwell 1532-1540.
Henry VIII’s Aims
What were Henry VIII’s early aims?
In addition to dismantling the less popular aspects of his father’s legacy Henry VIII had a number of other key aims for the first years of his reign. :
- 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.
Henry VIII’s Aims
How did Henry VIII fulfil his early aim of establishing his status amongst european monarchs through marriage?
Marriage to Catherine of Aragon on June 1, 1509. He concluded the marriage as quickly as possible, it was initially successful and Catherine exercised some influence over policy however by the mid-1520s Henry began to regret the marriage.
Henry VIII’s Aims
How did Henry VIII fulfil his early aim of re-establishing the role of the nobility?
The nobility had been frozen out of policial influence, Henry thus employed the sons of the noblitiy to be his “minions” and “courtiers”. He also had members of the noblity, such as the Marquis of Dorset (South-West France) and Earl of Surrey (Scotland) accompany him to war.
However, nobles didn’t fully achieve political dominance because of the influence of Wolsey.
Henry VIII’s Aims
How did Henry VIII fulfil his early aim of establishing himself as a warrior king through success in battle?
Linking to his rehabilitation of the nobility, Henry pursued war with France. Vast amounts of money were spent for painfully small gains, which had little or no strategic influence. To make matters even more confusing, these bouts of aggression were mixed with occassional alliances with France.
Henry VIII’s Aims
How would you describe Henry VIII’s long-term approach to government?
Henry did not have a consistent approach to government - there were recurring themes ; persuit of glory, securing the succession and little interest in the business of government except occassional, impulsive bouts.
Henry VIII’s Aims
What was the long-term effect of Henry VIII’s reign on England?
His reign left an enduring mark, the broadening use of statue law, the growing importance of parliament, the destruction of much traditional religion and the plundering of church wealth ; even the Break with Rome had seemed inconcievable in the first 10 years of the reign.
Henry VIII’s Aims
How did Henry VIII’s style of ruling change in the later years of his reign?
Henry VIII exhibeted more ruthlessness and cynicism, seen in his willingness to resort to treason on the flimsiest of charges (e.g he regretted his impulsive execution of cromwell), combined with tyranny and insecurity.
In all, many of Henry’s later policies were born out of his tyranny, insecurity, impulsivity and paranoia.
