Chapter 9 - Internal Faction and Pressures from Abroad

Question 1

Aims and influence of the reformist and conservative faction

Answer 1

• Henry dependant on advice from his privy council who were divided between two factions
• Thomas Cromwell and Cranmer used their position to push reformist policies
  * Wanted to use the break to push new religious ideas
  * Neither were openly protestant as this was still heresy but they often promoted protestant ideals like the translation of the bible and began to undermine the belief in salvation through good works
• Following the death of Jane Seymour the king was, yet again in a precarious position as he only had one son but he was resistant to remarriage
• The Act of the Six Articles, 1539
  * Reinforced 7 sacraments
  * Reinforced importance of mass
  * Political defeat for Cromwell, Cranmer and other reformist leaders

Question 2

Cromwell’s attempt to find Henry a 4th wife in Anne of Cleves

Answer 2

• He attempted to secure a marriage alliance against France and the HRE
• Few countries were willing to ally with a country which had rejected the pope
• Anne, daughter of the Duke of Cleves, identified as a potential 4th wife
• Cromwell sent Hans Holbein Jr to paint portraits of Anne and her sister
• Anne turned out to look very different from her portrait and soon after the marriage Henry ordered Cromwell to annul the marriage on the basis of non-consummation
• He didn’t like that it had been set up by Cromwell, her roots were too Protestant, he preferred to do it for himself
• Unsuitability of Anne resulted in increasing criticism of reformation movement
• Despite this, Cromwell was rewarded further as Henry made him Earl of Essex and Lord Great Chamberlain

Question 3

Cromwell’s downfall

Answer 3

• Conservative faction became critical of Cromwell after he visited a heretic group and rather than shutting it down, he allowed them to continue meeting
• Cromwell was arrested in June of 1540 and charged with treason, he was not formally tried but he was executed on the 10th of July
• This act, despite seeming brutal, was consistent with Henry’s attitudes to people who could no longer help him
• Henry no longer liked him, arguably the strongest reason because otherwise he would have been protected.

Question 4

Fallout of Cromwell’s downfall

Answer 4

• End of government by a single minister
• Returned to dependence on faction run system
• Some believed that Henry manipulated factions, others believe the factions manipulated him
• Henry was reported to have a very dominating personality, this allowed him to remain in control
• He had a very strong sense of honour based on military success, religion and his love life
• After 1540, Henry was his own minister and had to establish the conditions in which Edward could succeed
• Cromwell’s placemen were not removed and neither was Cranmer

Question 5

The Conservative faction’s actions in 1540

Answer 5

• Duke of Norfolk saw an opportunity to put forward his niece, teenage Catherine Howard as Henry’s next wife.
• This was an opportunity for the Conservatives to push their agenda
• Henry was immediately attracted to her looks and lively personality
• Fears of disunity from those who questioned transubstantiation
• Henry wanted to establish his own personal interpretation
• The Conservatives did not hide that Catherine was merely a pawn in their plan as she did not have the agency that Anne Boleyn had, being much younger
• She married Henry in August 1540 but did not stay faithful for long, beginning a relationship with a young courtier
• Henry desperately wanted another son but it was seeming to be impossible
• She was accused of adultery but it took more evidence gained from torture to convince Henry
• Finally he believed the stories and executed her in February 1542
• Norfolk and his associates were not punished but allowed to remain away from the court in shame

Question 6

Henry’s foreign Policy aims 1540

Answer 6

• To regain control of the former French territories
• To establish himself as equal to Francis I and Charles V
• To maintain links with the Netherlands

Question 7

Foreign Policy 1540

Answer 7

• The Pope and the prominent Catholic powers of France and the HRE were keen to ensure the return of England to the church
• England traditionally supported the HRE, until the annulment Charles V had been England’s natural ally
• Attempted alliance with France but their relationship with the pope was more important to them
• Catherine died, removing the personal dispute between Charles V and Henry
• Ten year truce between Francis I and Charles V posed a massive threat to England
• Began search for allies in Germany
• Henry was excommunicated and France removed their ambassadors from London
• Cromwell held negotiations with protestant German princes – the Schmalkalden league, designed to protect Protestantism against Catholicism