Character and aims of Henry VIII Flashcards
When did Henry VIII succeed the throne and how old was he?
April 1509 - two months before his 18th birthday
Proclaimed on the 23rd
How had Henry been educated?
He had been introduced to humanist ideas
What was Henry like on first impression?
Charming and agreeable - positive first impression
What did Richard Fox, Thomas Lovell, and Richard Weston do on the first day of his reign?
Established themselves in power and arranged the arrests of Empson and Dudley.
In what ways was Henry VIII’s way of ruling in government different from his fathers?
Despite his lack of interest in daily business of government and finding reading state papers tedious, he could act decisively when he chose (sometimes contradicting already taken decisions)
He relied heavily on others (members of the council or sometimes a chief minister - Wolsey or Cromwell.
He also lacked a strong work ethic - enjoying courtly activities e.g. pageants, sports, hunting.
What were some of Henry’s key character traits?
Ruthless (evident in execution of Empson and Dudley).
Insecurity and tyranny (demonstrated by willingness to resort to execution for treason - often on flimsy executions).
Impulsiveness - e.g. speed at which he married Catherine of Aragon, later marriages of Anne of Cleaves and Catherine Howard and decision to execute Cromwell (all of which he later regretted).
When combined with the naivety demonstrated in his approach to FP, the consequences would be potentially devastating for the governing of the country.
What was Henry VII’s main legacy to his son?
A full Crown coffer (£300,000) and a peaceful kingdom in which the nobility had been checked and the Tudor dynasty secured.
A conciliar form of government.
What was Henry’s first aim and what action did he take to achieve it?
Dismantle unpopular aspects of his father’s legacy while maintaining stability
Empson and Dudley executed, Council learned abolished (Jan 1510), many bonds cancelled
What was Henry’s second aim (dynasty) and what action did he take to achieve it and was it a success?
Establish his status among European monarchs through marriage and preservation of the dynasty (through expectation of heir).
Married Catherine of Aragon (June 1509) - initially successful on a personal level (Catherine also influenced some policies in first few years).
What was Henry’s third aim (involving the nobility) and what action did he take to achieve it?
Support the nobility while preserving strong government (re-establish role of nobility).
Noble’s sons became Henry’s personal companions in sport, leisure and war e.g. to Northern France (but didn’t achieve political influence they wanted - Wolsey dominated at chief minister and Henry promoted Wolsey’s interests)
What was Henry’s fourth aim (foreign) and what action did he take to achieve it?
Establish himself as a warrior king through success in battle.
Pursued military glory through war with France.
Was Henry VIII’s accession welcomed?
Seen as a breath of fresh air after the rather sinister atmosphere associated with the influence of Empson and Dudley in the last years of his fathers reign.
How long did Henry VII’s legacy last?
Disappeared during the first few years of Henry’s reign - money would be spent on revival of traditionally aggressive FP towards France and conciliar form of government would disappear in the short term as a result of the emergence of Fox’s former protégé, Thomas Wolsey.
What else did Henry do which distanced himself from his fathers reign and what else did it do?
Council Learned in the Law was abolished by Act of Parliament in January 1510.
The cancellation of many bonds and recognisances which the Council Learned had imposed + the executions.
Not only distances himself from fathers reign - also ensured his own popularity amongst the nobility and propertied classes who considered themselves victims of his fathers approach to taxation
What did the first five years of Henry VIII’s reign witness?
Celebrated events e.g. his marriage, his coronation, victory over the scots, warfare and extravagance
