Government And Parliament Flashcards
What was Henry VIII’s approach to governance?
He liked to have an overview of his government but was happy to let others do the mundane work for him.
How did the style of government during Henry VIII’s reign change?
It varied across his reign due to different ministers and circumstances.
What complicating factor existed during Henry VIII’s reign regarding governance?
The existence of Parliament and its use.
What personal concern influenced the relations between Crown and Parliament during Henry VIII’s reign?
Henry’s concern for a son to succeed him.
What were the two main functions of Parliament before the 1530s?
- To grant extraordinary revenue to the Crown
- To pass laws
Did Henry VIII seek Parliament’s advice in his earlier years?
No, he did not see the need to seek Parliament’s advice.
How many times did Henry VIII summon Parliament before 1529?
Four times: in 1510, 1512, 1515, and 1523.
What was Wolsey’s view of Parliament during his dominance?
He regarded Parliament with some distaste.
How many parliaments were called during Wolsey’s period of dominance?
Only one parliament, that of 1523.
What significant action did Parliament take under Henry VII?
Abolished the Council Learned in the Law
When did Parliament provide extraordinary revenue for invasions of France and Scotland?
Feb 1512 - Mar 1514
What act was not renewed during the anticlerical atmosphere of the House of Commons?
Act restricting benefit of clergy
What plea did Sir Thomas More make in Parliament?
First known plea for freedom of speech for MPs
During which period did the level of anticlericalism seem much reduced?
‘Reformation’ Parliament
What was the purpose of the Parliament called from Nov 1529 to Apr 1536?
Enact a new Succession Act following the execution of Anne Boleyn
What type of legislation was produced during the Parliament from Apr 1539 to Jul 1540?
Divergent religious legislation
What was the primary reason for calling Parliament in the first part of Henry VIII’s reign?
Secure revenue
Who was reluctant to use Parliament during Henry VIII’s reign?
Thomas Wolsey
Who exploited Parliament’s legislative possibilities more thoroughly in the second half of Henry VIII’s reign?
Thomas Cromwell
What governance approach broke down during Henry VI’s reign?
Governance via councils
What conflict contributed to the breakdown of governance via councils?
Conflict between the king’s impulsive personality and conservative councillors
Who provided effective management of government during Henry VIII’s reign?
Thomas Wolsey
What impressed Henry VIII about Thomas Wolsey?
Wolsey’s organisational skills
What was Wolsey’s role in relation to Henry VIII’s decision-making?
Dominant political figure who gave the king what he wanted
What was the Privy Chamber’s role during Henry VIII’s reign?
Advisory body outside Wolsey’s influence
True or False: Wolsey’s influence diminished as Henry VIII became more attuned to governing.
False
Fill in the blank: Henry surrounded himself with like-minded young courtiers who reinforced his _______.
Suspicions of the old guard
What was the source of Wolsey’s influence?
Wolsey’s influence was derived more from the closeness of his relationship with the king than from the formal positions he held.
What was Wolsey’s approach to the king’s policy-making?
Wolsey complemented the king’s customary ‘hands-off’ approach to the details of policy-making.
What were Wolsey’s main concerns?
Wolsey’s main concerns were:
* Management of the Church
* Conduct of foreign relations
* Legal system
* Formulation of domestic policy
* Political decision-making
What was the Privy Chamber?
The Privy Chamber was the one area of government which, before 1519, lay outside Wolsey’s immediate control.
When was the Privy Chamber established?
The Privy Chamber was established during the reign of Henry VII.
How did the role of the Privy Chamber change during Henry VIII’s reign?
The role of the Privy Chamber was extended when the king’s ‘minions’ became Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber.
What was the relationship between the minions and Wolsey?
The minions collectively distrusted Wolsey.
What action did Wolsey take regarding the minions in 1519?
In 1519, Wolsey secured the removal of the minions and replaced them with his own supporters.
Did the minions manage to retain their positions after 1519?
Yes, most of the minions managed to recover their positions.
What significance did the Privy Chamber retain in the government?
The Privy Chamber retained some of its prestige and influence and was the one part of government which was outside Wolsey’s immediate control.
What is the role of the Court of Chancery?
Overseeing the legal system and upholding ‘fair’ justice
Wolsey was not a trained lawyer but served as Lord Chancellor.
What was a significant problem with the Court of Chancery?
It became clogged with cases, leading to slow justice
Problems related to enclosure, contracts, and many other cases were dealt with in this court.
What was the Court of Star Chamber?
An offshoot of the King’s Council established in 1487 for government and justice
Wolsey’s distinctive legal contribution came through its operation.
What was Wolsey’s motive for extending the Court of Star Chamber from 1516?
To increase cheap and fair justice
He heard cases of alleged misconduct by dominant individuals.
What issue arose from Wolsey’s encouragement of the Star Chamber for private lawsuits?
It became too successful, leading to overflow tribunals
A permanent committee set up in 1519 became the ancestor of later courts dealing with the poor.
What were the Eltham Ordinance reforms introduced by Wolsey in 1526?
Reforms aimed at reducing royal household finances
It involved a reduction in the number of Gentlemen over whom Wolsey had control.
What was the ‘Tudor subsidy’?
Extraordinary revenue provided by taxpayers during Henry VII’s reign
Taxation was expected when required, including from the nobility.
How did Wolsey change the collection of subsidies?
He set up a national committee to assess taxpayers’ wealth
This method improved the realism of the nation’s revenue base.
What was the result of the ‘Amicable Grant’ of 1525?
Widespread resistance amounting almost to a rebellion
It was an attempt to raise unparliamentary taxation.
What was a key issue with Wolsey’s management of Parliament?
He was described as arrogant and insensitive
This was evident during the 1523 Parliament’s relationship with him.
What was the main challenge posed by Henry VIII’s desire for a male heir?
The need for legitimacy and annulment of his marriage to Catherine
This led to complex political and personal challenges.
What was the significance of Wolsey’s relationship with the 1523 Parliament?
It was marked by insensitivity and lack of support for the subsidy
This relationship was crucial for financing the war against France.
Fill in the blank: Wolsey attempted to raise _______ through the ‘Amicable Grant’.
unparliamentary taxation
True or False: Wolsey was a trained lawyer before becoming Lord Chancellor.
False
He was not trained in law but had significant influence in the legal system.
What was the primary issue faced by the Parliament during Henry VIII’s reign?
Grumbling about Wolsey’s financial demands
The atmosphere was so charged that the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Thomas More, felt obliged to ask the king’s forgiveness for the boisterousness of some members.
What were the Eltham Ordinances introduced by Wolsey in 1526 aimed at?
Reforming the finances of the Privy Council
The Ordinances aimed to reduce royal household expenditure and the number of Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber.
Who was replaced as Henry VIII’s Groom of the Stool due to the Eltham Ordinances?
Sir William Compton
He was replaced with the more compliant Henry Norris.
What did historian Peter Gwyn argue about the purpose of the Eltham Ordinances?
Primarily financial
Gwyn noted that several Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber lost their posts, affecting many household servants.
According to David Starkey, what did the issuing of the Eltham Ordinances reflect?
Wolsey’s fear of losing political influence
This fear stemmed from the unpopularity of the Amicable Grant.
What was the ‘King’s Great Matter’ related to Henry VIII’s reign?
The annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon
This issue was tied to Henry’s desire for a male heir and his love for Anne Boleyn.
What was the outcome of the ‘King’s Great Matter’ in the long term?
Establishment of royal supremacy
This was directed by Thomas Cromwell after Wolsey’s downfall.
Why was Henry VIII dissatisfied with his marriage to Catherine of Aragon?
Catherine was past childbearing age and only one child had survived infancy
Henry feared dying without a male heir.
What biblical justification did Henry VIII find for the annulment of his marriage?
Prohibition on marrying a brother’s widow from the book of Leviticus
Henry argued this applied because Catherine was briefly married to his brother Arthur.
True or False: Henry VIII considered legitimating his illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, as a solution to his heir problem.
True
This plan was born out of desperation and unlikely to succeed.
Who succeeded Wolsey as chief minister and continued to address the ‘King’s Great Matter’?
Thomas Cromwell
Cromwell’s efforts would later lead to his own downfall due to religious tensions.
What was the invalid dispensation issued by Julius II regarding?
Julius II issued a dispensation to permit his own marriage to Catherine, which was claimed to be invalid.
What argument did Henry use to justify his marriage to Anne?
Henry claimed that in God’s eyes, his marriage to Catherine was illegal and that he was free to marry Anne.
What was Catherine’s claim regarding her marriage to Prince Arthur?
Catherine claimed that her marriage to Prince Arthur had never been consummated.
What did Henry insist Wolsey seek despite Catherine’s claim?
Henry insisted that Wolsey seek a dispensation for annulment based on the Levitican argument.
What event affected Pope Clement VII’s ability to issue a dispensation for annulment in 1527?
On 6 May 1527, Rome was sacked by the troops of the Emperor Charles V, making the Pope effectively a prisoner.
Who was the emperor that influenced the Pope’s decisions regarding annulment?
The emperor was Charles V, who was Catherine’s nephew.
What action did Wolsey take in May 1527 regarding Henry’s marriage?
Wolsey brought Henry before a fake court to accuse him of living in sin with his supposed wife.
How did Catherine respond to the court’s verdict against her?
Catherine refused to accept the court’s verdict and appealed to the Pope according to canon law.
What did Wolsey’s fate depend on?
Securing an annulment
Wolsey was aware that his power and position were tied to the success of the annulment process for Henry VIII.
Who was sent by the Pope to hear the case alongside Wolsey?
Cardinal Campeggio
Campeggio’s involvement was part of the Pope’s strategy to manage the situation regarding Henry’s annulment.
When did the hearing in London open?
15 June 1529
This hearing was critical in the annulment process but ultimately did not yield the desired result for Henry VIII.
When was the hearing adjourned, sealing Wolsey’s fate?
30 July 1529
The adjournment of the hearing indicated that Wolsey would not be able to secure the annulment for Henry VIII.
What was the charge against Wolsey in October 1529?
Praemunire
Praemunire is a legal term indicating interference with the Crown by a person in authority, in this case, Wolsey.
What was Wolsey’s response to the praemunire charge?
Surrendered himself with all possessions
This included his significant property, Hampton Court, demonstrating his fall from grace.
When did Wolsey die?
29 November 1530
Wolsey’s death occurred shortly after his arrest, preventing a trial.
Who characterized Wolsey as England’s most gifted administrator?
John Guy
Guy’s assessment acknowledges Wolsey’s administrative skills despite criticisms.
What marked the end of the conciliar government phase?
The emergence of Thomas Cromwell
Cromwell’s rise was accelerated by his proposal to break with Rome.
What significant change did Cromwell propose regarding the Church?
Henry should become head of an English Church
This proposal was pivotal in the English Reformation.
What did Geoffrey Elton refer to as a ‘Tudor revolution in government’?
The changes brought by Cromwell
This revolution involved the restructuring of government functions and the role of Parliament.
Fill in the blank: Under Cromwell, the role of the royal household _______.
Diminished
Cromwell’s rise marked a shift in power dynamics within the English government.
During which years was the so-called ‘Reformation Parliament’ in session?
1529 to 1536
The Reformation Parliament played a crucial role in the legislative changes during the English Reformation.
What legal mechanism was used to accomplish Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon?
Statute law (Acts of Parliament)
This established the supremacy of statute law over canon law.
What factors contributed to the weakening of the Catholic Church during Henry VIII’s reign?
- Humanist criticisms by Colet and Erasmus
- Anticlerical satire by Simon Fish
- Legal challenges by Christopher St German
These factors made it easier for Cromwell to challenge the Church’s power.
Who compiled the Collectanea Satis Copiosa and what was its purpose?
Thomas Cranmer and Edward Foxe; to justify Henry’s divorce on legal and historical principles
This collection provided intellectual justification for the king’s actions.
What was the significance of the 1531 measure against the clergy?
It forced clergy to acknowledge the king as ‘Protector and Supreme head of the English Church’
This marked the beginning of a sustained attack on the clergy.
What did the 1532 Act in Conditional Restraint of Annates aim to achieve?
To increase pressure on the papacy by withholding the first year’s income from bishops
This income had traditionally been sent to the papacy.
What was the purpose of the House of Commons Supplication against the Ordinaries?
To increase anticlerical pressure within the House of Commons
This was part of a broader strategy to undermine the authority of the Church.
What impact did the Formal Submission of the Clergy to Henry VIII have?
It provoked the resignation of Sir Thomas More as Lord Chancellor
This event illustrated the tension between Henry and traditional Church authority.
True or False: Henry VIII sought opinions from continental universities regarding his marital situation.
True
Some of these opinions were favorable to Henry’s position.
Fill in the blank: The Collectanea Satis Copiosa redefined the boundaries between royal and _______.
[ecclesiastical power]
This assertion was made by historian John Guy.
What was the significance of Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne Boleyn?
It was crucial for securing a male heir and led to the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
Who replaced William Warham as Archbishop of Canterbury?
Thomas Cranmer
What was the outcome of the secret ceremony on 25 January 1533?
Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn were married, but the Catholic Church deemed the marriage invalid.
What was declared by the Act in Restraint of Appeals?
That appeals could not be made to Rome regarding Church court decisions.
Fill in the blank: The Act of Succession declared that Henry’s marriage to Catherine was _______.
void
What did the Act of Supremacy (November 1534) accomplish?
It established the king as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.
True or False: The Treason Act of November 1534 allowed treason to be committed by spoken word.
True
What was the consequence of denying the validity of Henry’s marriage to Anne Boleyn according to the Act of Succession?
It was considered treasonable.
List the four key declarations of the Act of Succession (April 1534):
- Henry’s marriage to Catherine was void
- The succession should be vested in the children of his marriage to Anne
- Denying the validity of Henry’s marriage to Anne was treasonable
- An oath should be taken to affirm acceptance of the new marriage.
What did the Treason Act specify regarding the king’s characterization?
Describing the king as ‘heretic, schismatic, tyrant, infidel or usurper of the Crown’ was treason.
Who was burned for heresy under Queen Mary I?
Thomas Cranmer
What was the role of the ‘Holy Maid of Kent’ in the political landscape of the time?
Her prophecies influenced political events, including the king’s marriage.
Fill in the blank: The term ‘imperial jurisdiction’ refers to the office to make legal decisions that _______.
belonged to the king and could not be challenged by the Church or any other authority.
What did Thomas Cranmer’s Collectanea Satis Copiosa contribute to?
It garnered Henry VIII’s attention and aided in his rise to Archbishop of Canterbury.
What was the fate of Sir Thomas More?
He was convicted and executed for denying royal supremacy in July 1535.
Who were the historians that defended the application of the Treason Act?
- Geoffrey Elton
- Steven Gunn
What was the primary goal of the measures passed by Cromwell from 1533 onwards?
To achieve the break from Rome and establish royal supremacy.
What was the Act Annexing First Fruits and Tenths to the Crown?
A 1534 act that made payments previously made to the Pope acceptable to the king, increasing the clergy’s financial burden.
This act was a key move in establishing royal supremacy over the Church in England.
What significant change occurred in the relationship between England and Rome by 1534?
The relationship was fundamentally broken, leading to royal supremacy over the Church.
This shift was largely achieved through parliamentary statute.
What was the dissolution of the monasteries?
A process initiated in 1536 and completed by 1542 that confiscated a vast amount of Church land for the Crown.
This significantly increased the wealth and power of the Crown.
Who was Anne Boleyn?
The second wife of Henry VIII, accused of adultery and incest, and executed on 19 May 1536.
Her downfall was partly due to her opposition to conservative factions in court.
What was the main reason for Thomas Cromwell’s downfall?
His failure to manage the king’s marital affairs satisfactorily, particularly the marriage to Anne of Cleves.
This led to his loss of credibility with Henry VIII.
What happened on the same day Thomas Cromwell was executed?
Henry married Catherine Howard.
Cromwell was executed on 28 July 1540.
What was the significance of the conservative revival from 1539 to 1540?
It restored a form of conciliar government, altering the power dynamics in the Privy Council.
The power temporarily lay with conservatives like Norfolk and Gardiner.
Who was Stephen Gardiner?
Principal secretary to Henry VIII and Bishop of Winchester, he supported the break with Rome while holding conservative Catholic views.
Gardiner was imprisoned under Edward VI but returned to power under Mary I.
What was the role of Thomas Wriothesley during Henry VIII’s reign?
He was appointed joint principal secretary in 1540 and later became Lord Chancellor in 1544, navigating political changes after Cromwell’s downfall.
Wriothesley was known for switching sides politically.
True or False: The burning for heresy of three Protestant theologians occurred after Thomas Cromwell’s execution.
True.
This event highlighted the tensions between Protestant and Catholic factions during Henry’s reign.
Fill in the blank: The fall of __________ marked the rise of a Privy Council with fixed membership during Henry VIII’s later years.
Thomas Cromwell
This change indicated a shift towards a more structured form of governance.
Who was executed alongside Catherine Howard?
Jane Bolyeya (Lady Rochford)
Catherine Howard was executed on 13 February 1542.
What law did Henry VIII ask Parliament to pass regarding Catherine Howard?
Act of Attainder
This law allowed a person accused of treason to be found guilty and punished without trial.
What was the outcome for Thomas Culpepper?
Executed on 10 December 1541
He faced execution due to allegations of adultery with Catherine Howard.
What was Norfolk’s relationship to Catherine Howard?
Uncle
Norfolk was politically motivated by the marriage between his family and the king.
What was Katherine Parr’s religious affiliation?
Protestant
Norfolk attempted to embroil her in accusations of heresy due to this affiliation.
What societal expectation was placed on Tudor women regarding marriage?
To be virgins
Extra-marital affairs were common, particularly among married men.
What was the political climate as Henry VIII’s health deteriorated?
Intensified political rivalries
Influential figures sought to dominate under the new successor.
Who was Edward Seymour in relation to the throne?
Uncle of Jane Seymour’s son
This connection provided him leverage during political struggles.
What happened to Norfolk’s son, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey?
Executed for treason
His overambitious nature threatened the king’s throne.
What was the fate of Norfolk after Henry VIII’s death?
Remained a prisoner in the Tower
He was spared execution due to the new Council’s desire to avoid bloodshed.
How long did Henry VIII reign?
Almost 38 years
His reign was marked by tumultuous events and significant political changes.
Historians’ views on Henry VIII’s reign can be described as?
Varied enormously
Some see him as a tyrant; others as a force for necessary change.
Fill in the blank: Tudor women were expected to be ______ when they married.
virgins
True or False: Extra-marital affairs were uncommon in Tudor society.
False
Such affairs were particularly common among married men.
What did the execution of Catherine Howard and her lady signify about Tudor politics?
Political intrigue and personal vendettas
The events illustrated the dangerous intersection of personal relationships and political power.
