Henry And Cromwell,1529-40 Flashcards
When was Thomas Cromwell born?
1485
Who were Thomas Cromwell parents?
Katherine and Walter Cromwell
Where was Thomas Cromwell from ?
Putney
When did Cromwell decide to leave England?
1503
What did Cromwell do in December 1503?
Joined the French army and fought against the Spanish in. The battle of Grigliano
After deserting the French army where did Cromwell move and who did he work for?
Cromwell moved to Florence and and used his hard work and sharp mind to move up in the household of francesco Frescobaldi a merchant banker
What did Cromwell describe himself as?
“A great traveller in this world”
What Did Cromwell do after Florence and how did this help him ?
-Cromwell became a cloth merchant in Antwerp (Belgium)
-helped him develop his trading knowledge and make important business contacts
When did Cromwell return to England and who did he marry?
1514 Elizabeth Wyckes who was from a wealthy family and established himself as a London merchant
What practice did Cromwell develop?
A thriving legal practice from learning about law in Europe this helped him gain business and reputation
When did Cromwell become a member of Wolseys council?
1519
When did Cromwell become Wolseys most trusted advisor?
1529
Why did Cromwell and Wolsey have a lot in common?
They were both self made men who had raisen from humble origins through intelligence and hard work
Over the course of the 1520s how did Cromwell develop a name for himself in Henry’s court?
-he took on increasingly high profile cases many of which were heard in the star chamber
-Wolsey frequently sent Cromwell to deliver news to the king
When did Cromwell become a member of Parliament ?
1523
What was Cromwell personality like?
Intelligent and determined and could keep his emotions in check
-prepared to make difficult desicions
-warm charming witty and interesting
How did Wolseys fall impact Cromwell
-Without Wolsey Cromwell had no formal position in court ended his hopes of a dazzling career in court
-the bitter attacks against his masters could include him too
What position did Cromwell gain in 1529
He became MP of Taunton
What led to Cromwell appointment as Lord chancellor in 1531?
-Henry was impressed with Cromwell loyalty to Wolsey
-Henry was impressed with how Cromwell managed to sort Wolseys properties and staff after his death
What were some of Henry’s attempts to secure a divorce before Cromwell?
-mabpny including Anne Boleyn father,the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk failed to come up with a winning strategy
-Thomas Moore retired as lord chancellor in 1532
What was Cromwell’s solution to secure Henry’s annulment ?
-the power to grant an annulment should be removed from the pope and given to Henry
-parliament could be used to pass a law transferring power to provide legal basis
Why was Cromwells solution groundbreaking?
-Cromwell was directly challenging the pope-established leader of the Christian church
-Cromwell was dramatically expanding the role of parliament which had previously only been used to approve taxes
Why did Henry desperately need a divorce in 1533
Anne Boleyn was pregnant and he needed the child to be born in wedlock for it to be considered a ledegimate heir
When Did Henry get married to Anne Boleyn ?
January 25th 1533-it was a secret marriage preformed by Thomas Cranmer the Archbishop of Canterbury
When was the act in restraint of appeals passed?
March 1533
Why was the Act in restraint of appeals important?
-England was an empire and not subject to any form of foreign rule
-the king was ‘supreme head of the Church of England “
What was the outcome of the 1533 divorce hearing headed by archbishop Cranmer?
On 23 May it announced that:
-the original papal dispensation was invalid
-Henry and Catherine had never been legally married
-Henry’s marriage to Anne was legal
What did the marriage celebrations involve?
-4 days
—accompanied by 300 boats and carried through London in a canopy of gold cloth
Why did Cromwell never reach alter Rex status?
-Henry was no longer a young kind intersected in pleasure he looked to his ministers to carry out his will quickly and efficiently
-Cromwell was modest and didn’t develop a vast household to rival the kings
What were the reasons for Anne Boleyn downfall?
-scandal and gossip 7th jan 1536 they wore yellow to Catherine’s funeral and didn’t hide their joy .also encourage dancing and entertainment in contrast w/ Catharine who ruled modestly
-Henry’s desire for a son -Anne suffered 2 miscarriages one in 1534 and one in 1536
Why was Henry so desperate for a male heir
-old age in 1536 he was 45(old)
-horse accident scared of dying w/o a son
-papal bull stating that England whould be given to whoever could take it (threat from france and Spain )
What annoyed Henry about Anne?
The assertive personality and sharp mind he once had found attractive had begun to irritate him
What rumour reached the kings ears in 1536
That Anne Boleyn had commited adultry
Details of the arrests made for adultry and treason
-Francis Weston (privy chamber)
-Henry Norris (groom of the stool)
-William be Eaton (privy chamber)
George Boleyn
What happened on April 30th in regard to Anne Boleyn arrest?
Mark Smeaton was taken to Cromwells house and (probably) tortured
-he confessed to having an affair with the queen
What was the role of Cromwell in Anne’s downfall?
-Cromwell looked into weather Anne Boleyn former relationship with Henry Percy could be used as evidence against the validity of their marriage (Cromwells could find no evidence)
-lead in building a case against Anne
-thoroughly investigated and collected evidence against main suspects
(Most evidence was court gossip)
-ladies in weighting who served the imprisoned Anne were spies
Did Cromwell have a personal grudge against Anne?
-YESAnne wanted money form the Dissolutionof the Monasteries to be used to fund schools /keep it for the crown
-Anne favoured an alliance with France /Habsburg empire
-NO they had strong areas of agreement eg Protestantism
Reasons for Anne Boleyn downfall?
-Jane Seymour
-the role of Thomas Cromwell
-Anne couldn’t give him a son
-Anne was accused of Adultry
Details about Anne Boleyn Arrest and execution
-2nd may arrested and sent to the Tower of London
—-May 15 tried jointly with her brother along with 26 noblemen
-her uncle the Duke of Norfolk was presiding Judge
-May 17th marriage annulled
-May 19th Anne was executed
When did Henry’s marriage to Jane Seymour take place?
30th May 1536
What was the Act of Sucession
Henry could appoint any successor at any time(Henry Fitzroy )
When did Jane give birth to Edward ?
12th October 1537
Successes and failures of Anne Boleyn
-failure -begged for those who took part in the pilgrimage of grace to be forgiven -angered Henry
—success-reconciled Henry and Mary
What were the Main problems with the royal council
What were the Main problems with the royal council ?
-usually dominated by one man eg Wolsey+Cromwell
-no rules governing how meetings should be organised
-discussion topics not officially recorded
-100 members but only a few attended meetings
What was the privy council ?
-simpler version of the royal council
-20 permanent advisors
-made up of professionals (lawyers and administrators) vs untrained clergy and nobility
-clerk was appointed to record decisions
How did Cromwell aim to create one uniformed system of government?
-Abolished franchises and liberties-north came under firm royal control
-strengthened the council of the north first set up in 1472
-made the council permanent and gave it the responsibility of maintaining law +order
-act of Union 1536
What was the act of Union 1536?
-wales formally part of England
-English law replaced welsh law
-wales given representation in parliament
-divided into counties (like England and given jp’s)
Before Cromwells reforms in the kings chamber who was in charge of keeping track of the kings tresuary
-officials in the kings chamber
Why did Cromwell need to reform the role of the kings chamber?
-keeping eye on expenditure and income bored Henry(rarely involved)
-Accounts not properly checked( no formal rules)
-dissolution on the monasteries -increase in crown income -kings chamber couldn’t cope
What were Henry’s reforms to the kings chamber ?
-court of Augmentations
-court of First fruits and tenths
What was the role of the court of Augmentations?
Created in 1536-dealt with the property and income from the dissolution of the monasteries
What did the court of First fruits and tenths do?
Created 1540 collected tax from the clergy that had previously been sent to Rome
Why were the court of first fruits and tenths and and the court of Augmentations important?
-each departed ment received money from a specific source and only paired money for pre approved reasons
-routinely and carefully checked
-staffed with well trained officials
-moving significant powers away from the royal council(Henry had to be less involved)
What were changes in parliament under Cromwell?
-only 203 acts between 1509-1531majnly taxation
-1532-1540 333 acts were passed parliament also met more frequently
Why did Cromwell increase the role of parliament
-house of lords-peers and bishops represented nobility and the church
-74 county +236 mps made up of wealthy landowners,merchants+royal administrators
-more willing to support Cromwells decisions if they were involved in approving them
What strategies did Cromwell use to make sure MP’s were well managed and did exactly what he and the king wanted?
-personally controlled parliamentary business-ensured his proposals were put forward and discussed
-As MP he was able to guide debates personally in the House of Commons
-personally drafted many laws
—1532 act of Annates-king visited parliament crushing opposition by intimidation
Why was Cromwells use of parliament important?
Developed the idea that:
-Parliament was a key area of government and should be consulted
-parliament could pass laws on any aspect f life
-highest laws involved the king and parliament
Reasons for Henry’s marriage to Anne of Cleves
-unlike other families put of of Henry’s mistreatment if his wife’s the cleaves family wanted him to marry Henry
-for cleaves the marriage was a opportunity for alliance w/a great European power+England needed allies -invasion was a very real possibility
-cleaves expelled authority of the pope
-1539 panic -fear Charles or Francis invasion spies reported gathering in ports in Antwerp
Sowth east frenzy -most probable for enemy attack
What were Cromwells private motives for encouraging the alliance with Anne of Cleves ?
-he cold make more religious reforms without opposition from a catholic queen
—foreign queen would lack connections with English noble families -less likely to attack him
What was the significance for Henry’s Marriage to Anne of Cleaves ?
—Many families Whouldnt allow their daughters to marry Henry -shows how much his reputation was tarnished
—Cleaves was a small state and Henry’s need to ally with them showed englands isolation
—showed he had no intention of reversing the break with Rome
When did Henry and Anne of Cleaves get married ?
6th January 1540
How did Anne of Cleaves personality mean this marriage was unlikely to last ?
-shy and grown up in a uncultured household
-Her education mostly centred around needlework and Household management
-Didn’t have skills like singing dancing and languages needed to pass in English court
How did the change in international relations mean that Henry’s marriage to Anne of Cleaves was no longer necessary ?
-relations between Francis and Charles 1 had broken down
Reasons for Cromwells fall from power
-Henry blames him for the failure of his marriage with Anne of cleaves
—Cromwells religious policies
-Cromwells Protestant cause -Henry still considered himself a catholic
Why was Cromwells fall from power not certain ?
He was granted the title Earl of Essex in April 1540
Why did the Duke of Norfolk dislike Cromwell ?
-1530s compeating with Cromwells
-Protestant vs catholic
-believed Cromwell was unfit because of his low birth
-anger at Cromwells Recieveing the title earl of Essex
In the 1540s how was Norfolk in a position to destroy Cromwell?
-Cromwells power was fading as a result of the failed marriage with Anne of cleves
-Cathrine Howard was Norfolks neice -influence over the king
How did Norfolk poison Cromwells reputation with Henry
1540-instructed Catherine to spread rumours he was not putting enough effort into securing a divorce with Cleeves
—claimed Cromwell was plotting to introduce Protestantism fully
What was Act of Attainder
An act of Parliament that declares a person guilty with no requirement to prove it in a court trial
When and where was Cromwell arrested ?
June 15 1540 in a privy council meeting and his goods valued at 7000 were confiscated
