Consolidation of power

Question 1

First impression of HVIII

Answer 1

• Well read, charming and a breath of fresh air following the sinister atmosphere with Empson and Dudley in his Father’s last years

Question 2

What were the issues with HVII’s interests

Answer 2

• Disliked the business of government + lacked the same work ethic as his father
• Greater emphasis pageants, revelry, sports, hunting and tournaments

Question 3

How was the structure of government different to HVII because of HVIII’s lack of interest in government ?

Answer 3

• Short term emphasis on governing with council (also 1529-1532 and 1540-7)
• For 2 periods HVIII relied on the work of chief ministers (Wolsey and then Cromwell)

Question 4

What was the fourfold legacy of HVII left ?

Answer 4

1. Money - HVII left £300,000 on his death
2. unpopular mechanisms for extracting money
3. Peaceful FP
4. A form of councillor government (disappeared with the rise of Wolsey)

Question 5

How did HVIII spend the money left to him ?

Answer 5

• Revival of the traditional policy of aggressive FP towards France

Question 6

How did HVIII distance himself from is father’s reign ?

Answer 6

• Council learned in law was abolished in 1510 which resulted in the cancellation of many bonds and recognisances and the execution of Empson and Dudley
• This also ensured popularity amongst the nobility and propertied class who considered themselves victims of his fathers regime

Question 7

What were HVIII’s early aims ?

Answer 7

• Establish his status amongst European monarchs through marriage
• Re-establish the role of the nobility
• To re-establish himself as a warrior King through success in battle

Question 8

HVIII’s marriage to CoA ?

Answer 8

• June 1509
• Quick marriage (councillors hoped it would deflect HVIII from political matters and help them conduct councillor business as usual
• Initially CoA held some significance over HVIII however by the mid 1520’s she lost influence as it was clear she wasn’t going to have a male heir

Question 9

How was the re-establishment of the nobility limited ?

Answer 9

• Didn’t get political domination as Wolsey was promoted

Question 10

How did HVIII re-establish the monarchy

Answer 10

• HVIII shared the nobilities interest of pursuit of military glory
• Largely the sons of the nobility that participated with HVIII in the sports and revel
• Them who accompanied HVIII to France or the Earl of Surrey to Scotland

Question 11

What did the execution of Buckingham suggest ?

Answer 11

• 1521
• Buckingham was the only Duke at the start of HVIII’s reign
• Regarded with suspicion and was prone to muttering about issues to do with succession + executed

Question 12

What were HVII’s later aims ?

Answer 12

• Military glory
• Succession
• Destruction of the position of the church and its wealth

Question 13

What was a trait of HVIII that led to regret ?

Answer 13

• Impulsiveness eg Marriage to Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard, execution of Cromwell + nativity of HVIII in FP

Question 14

How did HVIII overthrow his father’s FP legacy ?

Answer 14

• Pursuit of military glory + rehabilitation of traditional nobility
• War with France (vast amounts of money spent for relatively few gains) mixed with occasional alliances with the French and HRE