Henry Principal Servants Flashcards
What was their role generally?
To serve the Monarch- to enhance power + influence over state, ensure stability.
To lead the (Privy) Council- the Monarch’s gov’t advisors. Wolsey- Council. Cromwell- PC.
To work with Parliament to ensure the Monarch’s will is carried out.
To protect the Monarch and remove their enemies (gone/weakened- lesser threat and remove any obstacles to achieving his will.
To represent the Monarch and oversee relations/policy as a diplomat with foreign powers (Secretary of State equivalent) relations/policy with other countries.
Influential in gov’t/policy.
BOTH C AND W DEPENDANT ON H AS NO ARISTOCRATIC FAMILY CONNECTIONS TO PROTECT THEM.
Who were the two principal servants?
Thomas Wolsey.
Thomas Cromwell.
How did Wolsey raise revenue for Henry?
1513
1525
1513- subsidy to pay for war ‘Renaissance Prince’.
1525- Amicable Grant- unsuccessful, loan depended on individuals wealth and on top of usual taxation. Tried to play to nationalism but failed with lots of opposition.
How did Cromwell raise revenue for Henry?
1536-39 Dissolution of the Monasteries. Gained £2 million and sold land to get money e.g. May 1543- finance war with Scotland and then France (1542-46).
What did the dissolution help with?
Gained personal wealth and able to consolidate Royal Supremacy and dominance. Also, please those who disapproved with the break from Rome e.g. Norfolk.
Limited taxation and helped to make fortifications from a potential C crusade.
How did Wolsey serve Henry regarding religious policy/matters with authority over the whole church? Marriage too. What positions helped him?
1529
1527
1528
He was Archbishop of York (1514) and papal legate for like (1518-24).
Failed to secure a divorce 1529.
1527- in charge of trial for Catherine with Campeggio. Failed due to loyalties to crown and pope.
Charged with Praemunire and 1528 case recalled to Rome.
How did Cromwell serve Henry regarding religious policy/matters with authority over the whole church? Marriage too. What positions helped him?
1535
1535-Vicegerent in Spirituals arguable more influential and powerful than W were was. Secular role (no ties to church to limit him).
Given task of divorce and successful in May 1533- Cranmer annuls marriage.
1529-36- Reformation Parliaments
1533 Act in Restraint of Appeals
1534 Act of Supremacy
How did Wolsey attempt to reduce and reorganize the King’s council.
1526- Eltham Ordinances limited reductions- disguised helping chaotic finances of the Privy Chamber- efficency. Cleanliness/sizes- effective administration of the Kings Household. 40+ still.
Failed with limited reductions.
How did Cromwell reduce and reorganize the King’s council?
Cromwell was successful and built on W work and by 1537 he had reduced the council to a more select, elite, smaller privy council with 20-25 men with only key political advisors.
As a result of the Pilgrimage of Grace 1536- needed a small council for advice.
What did Wolsey do foreign policy wise? What position did he have?
More emphasis in early career- Henry seen as ‘Renaissance Prince’.
Chief Diplomat in FP with relations to S, F, HRE 1515-24.
1518- Treaty of London- for European peace, all signed, if faced opposition could appeal to other who would instruct aggressor to stop.
1520 June- Field of the Cloth of Gold- Henry and Francois I of France met diplomatically to improve relations after a rival relationship.
What did the 1520 Field of the Cloth of Gold do?
Successful in boosting H and E position as a European power in 1st decade of reign,
What legal changes did Wolsey make?
Expanded the Court of Star Chamber- legal way of prosecuting powerful nobles/gentry who opposed him (his policies)- made enemies.
Parliament saw it as a political tool used by him and court supporters. Henry II- 12 per annum, Henry III- 120 per annum.
Declined after his fall.
What legal changes did Cromwell make? What was their impact?
1536
1536
JPs
1537
More long lasting and significant.
Focused on English legal and administrative control over Wales and regional control over the North.
1536- Act of Union- Wales legal system same as England’s.
JP’s appointed in each county (7)
Wales allowed 26 representatives in P.
- significant growth in legal power and influence over Wales- centralized crown control.
1536- Secured Act of P to abolish Franchises e.g. Bishop of Durham- limited political power of nobles and officials and gave H more legal power over all areas.
1537- Re-established the Council of the North- more (legal) power and control over the North.
How did Wolsey achieve his goals?
Used his role as Papal Legate and Archbishop of York (1514) and a Cardinal (1515) and LC (1515) to sort out the divorce- unsuccessful.
Used position in church and the Star Chamber (legal) to eliminate any people in his way.
Loyalty to King and Pope.
NEGOTIATION (FAILED FOR C) AND STATUS AND LEGAL SYSTEM
How did Cromwell achieve his goals?
He used Parliament to sort out divorce and religious policy. Used the King-In-Parliament- gave new role in Reformation Parliaments 1529-34 and this pleased Henry. His loyalty to the King and reliance and the law, loop holes in Acts.
PARLIAMENT AND LEGAL SYSTEM (NEGOTIATION ONCE BUT FAILED FOR ANN OF CLEVES)
