Henry VIII 1509 - 1529 Flashcards
1
Q
What were HVIII’s early aims?
A
- Be a vigorous and chivalrous king - to be strong and feared like his father whilst also being loved and popular
- Imperial king - conquer and rule many countries, inspired by Edward III and Henry V
- Uphold the Tudor dynasty - produce a male heir via marriage and pass down his reign to his children
2
Q
Evidence to suggest HVIII was successful in achieving his early aims 1509-1514?
A
1509 - married Catherine of Aragon:
- set him out as an honourable and chivalrous man
- direct contrast to his father, seen as a man who denied her any hospitality after death of Arthur
- showed able to make independent decisions
- to uphold Tudor dynasty
1510 - had Dudley and Empson imprisoned and executed, abolished Council Learned in Law and bonds and recognisances:
- they were very unpopular, so a popular move
- showed intended to create own legacy and rule in a different way to father
1511 - invaded Northern France, 1512 - Battle of the Spurs:
- captured town of Tournai and Therouanne
- personally fulfilled aims
3
Q
Evidence to suggest HVIII was not successful in achieving his early aims 1509-1514?
A
1509 - married Catherine of Aragon:
- unable to produce male heir, leading to divorce
- Catherine popular amongst English people, so divorce an unpopular decision
- failed to secured legacy through her
1511 - 1st French invasion:
- military failure
- dysentery and drunkenness
- internal dysfunction of English militia
1512 - Battle of the Spurs:
- holding land came at great cost with very little benefit
- Therouanne much more useful for Maximilian than him
- English army just a distraction for the Spanish, made peace in France in 1513
- achieved little in goal of French throne
4
Q
How was HVIII’s government similar to his father’s?
A
- Reliance on Warham and Fox, continuity with State and Church
- Use of Justices of Peace
- Welcomed talent outside of nobility
- Sceptical and ruthless towards threats to throne (execution of de la Pole in 1513)
- Married Catherine of Aragon, continued Anglo-Spanish alliance
- Being involved in government (drew up all Council agendas, fundamentally involved in governing - although did not actually attend the meetings)
5
Q
How was HVIII’s government different to his father’s?
A
- Highly concentrated on foreign policy
- Attitude to money, spending and delegating responsibility to Court of Exchequer
- Winning favour of aristocracy/nobility through abolishing Council Learned in Law
- Blurring Privy Council, Chamber and Court members together
- Used Parliament frequently
- Delegated responsibility to ministers, Wolsey’s quick rise to power
- Allowed prominence of Factions in government
6
Q
Describe Wolsey’s rise to power
A
- 1509 - Became Royal Almoner, making him a member of the Royal Council
- 1512-13 - Organised expeditionary force to invade France, made sure ran smoothly and allowed English army of 12,000 to sail for Gascony
1514-15 - Made Bishop of Tournai and Lincoln, Archbishop of York, Cardinal, Lord Chancellor - 1518 - Pope gave a legate a latere, which gave authority to reform church and appoint churchmen
7
Q
How was Wolsey able to rise to power under HVIII?
A
Luck:
- Came into notice of Henry at a time he was keen to distance himself from his father’s old advisors
Opportunism:
- Manipulated situations in ways which would benefit him and Henry
- Took all available opportunities to further his intentions and gain positions
Pragmatism:
- Adapted his beliefs and attitudes according to Henry’s
- Addressed everything efficiently
Ability and skill:
- Very clever (graduated from Oxford at 15)
- Could cope well with demands of Henry, as shown by organisation of 1513 French invasion
8
Q
How was Wolsey able to maintain his power?
A
Hardworking:
- Constantly did all government administration work
- Personally attended to everything
- Made appearances at Star Chamber as Chief Jude
Ruthlessness:
- Completely controlled patronage well
- Eliminated opposition through constant surveillance
- 1521 - Execution of Duke of Buckingham on charge of heresy as a warning to other nobility
- 1526 - Eltham Ordinances - reduced size of the Chamber from 12 to 6 and replaced the Groom of the Stool, his opposition
9
Q
Evidence to suggest Wolsey’s legal reforms were successful?
A
- re-established Courts of the Star Chamber, heard 120 cases yearly
- created overflow court, Court of Requests, free for the poor
- courts were quicker, cheaper and efficient in serving justice
- removed corruption and influence of the nobility
10
Q
Evidence to suggest Wolsey’s legal reforms were not successful?
A
- personal vendetta against nobility and gentry - 1512 Earl of Northumberland imprisoned, 1516 Lord of Abergavenny arrested, prosecuted 200+ landed gentry. A factor that led to his fall, damaged aim of staying in power as long as possible
- distracted by foreign policy
- attempted no institutional changes to ensure his reforms would last
11
Q
Evidence to suggest Wolsey’s financial reforms were successful?
A
- In total raised over £800,000 in taxes, greatest crown had received since 1334
- 1513 - introduced a subsidy - taxed accordingly to income, collected four times to fund war in France, collected £320,000
- 1522 - Investigation into National Finances - concluded sufficient wealth to ask for higher taxes
- Raised £240,000 in clerical taxation and £260,000 in forced loans
12
Q
Evidence to suggest Wolsey’s financial reforms were not successful?
A
- Total government expenditure £1.7 million, could not get rid of deficit
- 1515 - Act of Resumption - took gifted land by King to nobility, displeased them greatly, not relevant to Henry’s needs
- 1522 and 1523 - Forced loans - not repaid
- 1525 - Amicable Grant - people given ten weeks to find money, bc forced loans not repaid and failure in foreign policy, led to rebellion in East Anglia, the only major rebellion in first half of Henry’s reign. Henry had to repeal the tax, a great embarrassment
- Wolsey unable to get along with parliament, meaning requests for taxes often reduced or rejected
13
Q
Evidence to suggest Wolsey’s social reforms were successful?
A
- 1517 - enquiry into enclosures, led to legal proceedings in Court of Chancery - 222 brought to court
- 1518-29 - legal action taken against 264 landowners, 188 verdicts reached
14
Q
Evidence to suggest Wolsey’s social reforms were not successful?
A
- 1523 - forced to sacrifice whatever gains he had made and accept all existing enclosures as part of agreement for subsidy
- raised hopes of poor only to bring them down
- worsened relationship with nobles, compounded factors leading to his fall
15
Q
Evidence to suggest Wolsey’s administrative reforms were successful?
A
- 1526 - Eltham Ordinances - aimed to bring about greater efficiency and improve chaotic finances of Privy Chamber, nobility member of Privy Chamber from 12 to 6, replaced Groom of Stool, reduced Council members from 40 to 20
- Able to achieve personal aim of consolidating own position
