Chapter 7 - The Influence of faction

Question 1

Views on the break from Rome

The influence of Faction

Answer 1

• Many thought it was temporary and henry would reverse it as soon as he got what he wanted
• It was thought that the break would be difficult to negotiate under the control of Charles V but as soon as the Papacy resumed power, a deal would be struck to prevent the break
• The Pope was not able to oppose the break because of Acts such as the Restraint of Appeals and because the bishops in the House of Lords felt too threatened by Henry to vote against him
• The actions of the King in this period were divisive, splitting the country up into factions

Question 2

Cromwell and the Management of Parliament

The Influence of Faction

Answer 2

• Legislation passed by parliament was not fully supported but managed by Cromwell to achieve the King’s goals
  * To reduce the power of the Pope
  * To increase the power of the king
• Cromwell was influential in changing the minds of critics
  * He used his influence to re-focus parliamentary legislation
  * The break with Rome was key to his confirmation as chief minister and Principal secretary

Question 3

The Supporters of Change

The Influence of Faction

Answer 3

• Thomas Cranmer
  * Key to promoting arguments for the annulment of Henry’s marriage
  * Provided intellectual justifications for divorce whilst recognising Henry’s dislike for religious change and heretic ideas
• Opinions sought from many European countries on the interpretation of biblical law in relation to henry’s situation
• Cranmer produced a piece of evidence suggesting that English Bishops had the power to pronounce Henry’s Divorce
• Legislation still needed to be passed allowing the decision to be made in English courts rather than in Rome

Question 4

The Opponents of Change

The Influence of Faction

Answer 4

• The Aragonese faction
• Sir Thomas More
• Bishop John Fisher
• Elizabeth Barton
• The Carthusian Monks

Question 5

The Aragonese Faction

The Influence of Faction

Answer 5

• Eustace Chapuys, ambassador to Catherine’s nephew Charles V ,advised her politically and within the court
• Thomas More and Bishop Fisher also connected
• Two members of Henry’s household spoke out for Catherine
  * Sir Nicholas Carew
  * Sir Henry Guilford
• Two other Key players were Lords Darcy and Hussey

Question 6

Sir Thomas More

The Influence of Faction

Answer 6

• Appointed Chancellor in 1529
• Henry promised not to involve him in Pope negotiations
• More resigned in 1532 in an effort to remain in support of the Catholic Church
• After refusing to attend Anne’s coronation, Thomas Cromwell set out on a mission to destroy his reputation
• Narrowly missed being arrested for treason in Elizabeth Barton case
• Arrested for refusing to take oath on the Act of Succession
• Argued he had not broken the law as he had not sworn the oath or spoken against it
• More lost his case and was beheaded on 6th of July, having finally spoken his mind

Question 7

Bishop John Fisher

The Influence of Faction

Answer 7

• Chief Supporter of Catherine of Aragon
• In 1532 Fisher spoke openly against the divorce and was arrested
• Arrested again for treason for refusing to take the Act of Succession oath
• Ordered to be hung, drawn and quartered but was beheaded after complaints about the barbarity of treating a Bishop so badly

Question 8

Elizabeth Barton

The Influence of Faction

Answer 8

• Prophesied that Henry would die if he divorced Catherine
• Prolonged campaign against her finally gave Henry the opportunity to try her for treason
• Hanged in 1534

Question 9

The Carthusian Monks

The Influence of Faction

Answer 9

• Two orders of monks, Observant Franciscans and Carthusian, lived a life of solitude and devotion and were supporters of the Catholic church’s survival
• 5 Carthusian Monks refused to take the oath of the Act of Succession
• They were brutally tortured and killed as a result, all the while refusing to speak

Question 10

Henry’s Response

The Influence of Faction

Answer 10

• Henry refused to accept any opposition or contradiction to his methods
• He made it a treasonable offence to oppose his authority or marriage
• He backed this up by following through on threats made and in all the examples above
• Very few would now run the risk of opposing him

Question 11

Anne’s Coronation

The Influence of Faction