chapter 7

Question 1

Henry VIII comes to the throne

Answer 1

• 2 months before 18
• had been well-educated for the task, including some acquaintance with new learning of humanism
• early impression = very positive
• extrovert
• BUT had no experience of government or public affairs

Question 2

how was Henry VIII accession welcomed

Answer 2

• welcomed as breath of fresh air after the stultifying and sinister atmosphere associated with influence of Empson and Dudley in last years of fathers reign
• for Thomas More - represented ‘the end of our slavery, the fount of our liberty, the end of sadness, the beginning of joy’

Question 3

How did Henry VIII’s kingship differ from fathers

Answer 3

• profound dislike for business of government and found writing and reading of state papers both tedious and painful
• yet he could intervene suddenly in business of government, in the process contradicting decisions or actions which had already been taken
• lacked work ethic
• preferred to pass time with good company
• much emphasis on pageants, revelry, sports, hunting and tournaments

Question 4

how did the structure of government evolve compared with the reign of Henry VII

Answer 4

• because Henry VIII rarely engaged directly with business of government, the structure of government evolved differently
• in short term there was renewed emphasis on governing through council, which then made two comebacks at later stages of reign (1529-32, 1540-47)
• for two periods of reign Henry relied upon work of a chief minister who shaped structures of government to meet his own needs. First of these was Thomas Wolsey who was particularly adept to using star chamber. The second was Thomas Cromwell, who developed his role as principal secretary