Domestic policies Flashcards
Subsidy of 1523
In 1523, in order to pay for the kings grandiose foreign policy, Wolsey put before parliament heavier financial demands than the House of Commons had ever faced or envisaged: £800,000.
Amicable Grant 1525
In 1525, Wolsey ordered the implementation of ‘Amicable Grant’ to raise more money for war in France; in theory it was to be a freely given gift from his subjects to the king, but in reality it was a heavy tax, levied without Parliament’s approval.
The Eltham Ordinances 1526
In 1526, Wolsey introduced the Eltham Ordinances in order to reform the finances of the Privy Council. In the guise of pushing forward proposals for a reduction of royal household expenditure, Wolsey secured a reduction in the number of Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, the one area of government over which he did not have control. Most importantly, he secured the removal of Henry’s Groom of the Stool, Sir William Compton, replacing him with the more compliant Henry Norris.
First Act of Annates 1532
In January 1532, Parliament passed the First Act of Annates. This meant annates (payments to Rome from the clergy when taking up a new post) were suspended.
Act in Restraint of Appeals 1533
Drafted by Cromwell in April 1533 and founded on the evidence in the Collectanea Satis Copiosa. The preamble to the Act declared that the monarch possessed an imperial jurisdiction which was not subject to any foreign power (i.e. the papacy). The act declared that appeals could not be made to Rome regarding Church court decisions ‘in causes matrimonal’ and other areas. The Act meant that Catherine could not appeal to Rome against her marriage annulment.
Act of Succession 1534
The Act of Succession (April 1534) declared that:
> Henry’s marriage to Catherine was void
> The succession should be vested in the children of his marriage to Anne
> To deny the validity of Henry’s marriage to Anne was treasonable
> An oath should be taken to affirm an individual’s acceptance of the new marriage
Act of Supremacy 1534
The Act of Supremacy (November 1534) gave legislative force to the royal supremacy. It stated that ‘the king’s majesty justly and rightfully is and oweth to the Supreme Head of the Church of England’. This act effectively accomplished the break from Rome.
Treason Act 1534
The Treason Act (November 1534) was tightened so that treason could be committed by the spoken word as well as by deed or writing and so that it was treasonable to describe the king as ‘heretic, schismatic, tyrant, infidel or usurper of the Crown’.
Act Annexing First Fruits and Tenths to the Crown 1534
The Act Annexing First Fruits and Tenths to the Crown (November 1534) was a typically cynical move by Henry and Cromwell. The annates paid by a bishop, which had been ‘intolerable’ when paid to the Pope, now became perfectly acceptable when paid to the king. This act increased the financial burden on the clergy, and strengthened the royal supremacy.
Succession Act 1536
The 1536 Succession Act repeals the 1534 Act, declares Elizabeth illegitimate and lays down that Henry can determine the succession by will in the absence of an heir apparent.
Wales Act 1536
> Divided Wales into shire counties which operated on the same basis as their English counterparts.
> Gave the Welsh shires direct representation in the House of Commons at Westminster for the first time.
> Brought Wales into the same legal framework as England.
> 3 shire counties and 24 MPs.
Act Resuming Liberties to the Crown 1536
The Act Resuming Liberties to the Crown of 1536 reduced the level of independence enjoyed by the Durham bishop, but did not destroy it completely. For example, the palatinate court of chancery continued to operate.
Succession Act 1544
The 1544 Succession Act receives the royal assent, repeals the 1536 Act, reinstates Mary and Elizabeth in the succession and reaffirms that Henry could determine the succession by will.
