Henry VIII

Question 1

Was Henry VII prepared to become a monarch in 1485?

Answer 1

No
Henry VIII was the younger son of Henry VII. His older brother Arthur Tudor (1486-1502) was the heir trained to be king from a young age. Thus when he died at 16, Henry only having 7 years before taking the throne in 1509.

Question 2

What years did Henry VIII reign?

Answer 2

1509 - 1547
Took the throne at 17 and ruled for 38 years.

Question 3

Was Henry prepared to take the throne?

Answer 3

No.
His older brother ,Arthur, was the one prepped in order to become the king. He was not the heir and when Arthur died at 15, Henry had from 10 - 17 to prepare for kingship.

Question 4

Who was Thomas Wolsey?

Answer 4

Henry VIII’s chief minister and key influence to domestic and foreign policies.

Question 5

Was Wolsey liked by nobles?

Answer 5

No.
Nobles disliked him as he came from a poorer upbringing and thought he didn’t deserve to be second in command. Wolsey was also arrogant, thought he was untouchable.

Question 6

What are the arguments that Wolsey ascended to power by luck or skill?

Answer 6

Luck-
Had been the right man at the right time.
Recommended by Deputy of Calais.
Henry VIII became tired of his inner council of ministers and wanted someone new.

Skill-
Wolsey completed paperwork to a high degree for Henry VIII.
Willing to do work Henry VIII didn’t want to.
Worked tiredly and ruthlessly.
Got a degree in Oxford by 15.
Well educated in politics.

Question 7

What were the aims for domestic policies?

Answer 7

Raising taxes for war
Keeping factions at bay
Bringing in meaningful reforms

Question 8

What were Wolsey’s motivations?

Answer 8

Wanted to benefit the poor (perhaps due to his background) and ignorant to the jealous nobility.

Question 9

In Henry VIII’s reign, was more focus placed on domestic or foreign policy? Why?

Answer 9

Foreign policy
Henry wasn’t personally interested in changing England’s way of ruling.
Wolsey only changed domestic policy if it gave him power or appeased Henry.

Question 10

What were changes in legal reforms?

Answer 10

Tried making them more accessible to the poor.
Nobility treated more harshly and fairly.
Affordable punishments for the poor.
Permanent judicial committee to deal with brokie cases (didn’t continue after Wolsey).
Wolsey had a lot more say in the court.

Question 11

What is an example of Wolsey being harsh to nobles in court?

Answer 11

Sir Paulet was summoned every day to Wolsey in court or all his land would be taken.

Question 12

What were changes in financial reforms?

Answer 12

New fifteenths and tenths tax system which was based on property and wealth.
1515 Act of Resumption to return land to the crown after crown land revenue dropped from £100000 to £25000.
1525, Amicable Grant (non-parliamentary tax) caused 10000 men in East Anglia to rebel which forced Henry to back down.
Demanded a war subsidy for French war for £800000 but only got £300000.
Gained £200000 through 2 forced loads between 1522-23.

Question 13

Why was the fifteenths and tenths tax system so effective?

Answer 13

It was taxed based upon the persons wealth and property so was a lot more effective.

Question 14

What were changes in social reforms?

Answer 14

Wolsey was known as the ‘Champion of the Poor’.
1517 inquiry into enclosure which was often done illegally.
1523 Wolsey sacrificed all gains for parliament to agree to Henry’s subsidy for war.

Question 15

Was the 1517 inquire into enclosure successful?

Answer 15

Initially yes,
between 1518-24, 246 landowners taken to court and 188 verdicts reached.

However Wolsey sacrificed these gains so parliament would agree to Henry VIII war subsidy.

Question 16

What were Henry’s foreign policy aims?

Answer 16

Military glory
Securing the Tudor Dynasty
Secure the Cloth Trade
Build Henry’s kingly reputation

Question 17

What was the Treaty of London, 1518?

Answer 17

A peace treaty signed between England and France after Spain and England allied up against France.

Question 18

How many countries signed the Treaty of London, 1518?

Answer 18

20

Question 19

Was Wolsey or Henry VIII behind the Treaty of London, 1518?

Answer 19

Wolsey. He hijacked a papal initiative ,meant to be used for Turks, to turn into an international peace treaty.

Question 20

What was the effect of the Treaty of London on Henry VIII?

Answer 20

Built Henry’s kingly reputation as a bringer of international peace since 20 countries signed it. Put him into Europe’s affairs.

Question 21

What year was the Field of the Cloth of Gold?

Answer 21

1520

Question 22

What was the Field of the Cloth of Gold and was it useful?

Answer 22

It was a very lavish meeting between Henry VIII and Francis which was worth a years income in order to prove relations.

It was incredibly useless and a waste of money.

Question 23

Who arranged the Field of the Cloth of Gold?

Answer 23

Wolsey but it was useless despite Wolsey’s attempts.

Question 24

What was the years of the Second French War?

Answer 24

1523 - 1525

Question 25

What happened in the Second French War?

Answer 25

Threatened to send the army to France in 1523 as there was unrest. The threat did not work so had to send an army but was abandoned by Charles. Thus humiliating England. Lost his title of an International and £400,000.

Question 26

Who led and arranged the Second French War?

Answer 26

Henry - he was constantly vying for more military glory.

Question 27

Why was the reformation in England shocking?

Answer 27

England had been catholic for 900 years at this point. The Catholic Church was immensely powerful and wealthy. Henry was given the title 'Defender of the Faith, by the pope after defending catholicism from the German protestant Martin Luther. Had monasteries, abbeys and convents all over England.

Question 28

Why was Wolsey seen as a pularist? What was his roles?

Answer 28

Because he had multiple different titles and job responsibilities. Was the: Archbishop of York (Never visited York) Bishop of Lincoln Abbot of St Albans (Despite not being a monk) Cardinal (Should be celibate but has 2 children)

Question 29

Did other nobles respect Wolsey for having multiple titles?

Answer 29

No. He was incredibly important and rich but not fulfilling all his job roles.

Question 30

Who was the Archbishop of Canterbury during Henry VIII?

Answer 30

William Warham

Question 31

Did Wolsey like the Archbishop of Canterbury?

Answer 31

No. Wolsey wanted the title to make himself the most important in the church but Warham refused to resign. Wolsey agreed to the reformation in order to get himself that title.

Question 32

What was some of Wolsey's actions that weren't corrupt and helpful?

Answer 32

Improved educational standards among clergy. Visiting 60 cathedrals and monasteries, giving them new rules. Founded Cardinal College in Oxford. Founded Wolsey College, a grammar school in Ipswich. Closed 20 small monasteries for reforms that were liked.

Question 33

When did Henry VIII marry Catherine of Aragon?

Answer 33

11 June 1509

Question 34

Why was marring Catherine of Aragon beneficial?

Answer 34

Created good relations between England and Spain. Henry needed to continue a Tudor dynasty, preferably from younger. Catherine of Aragon had a £40,000 dowry which had already been partially paid.

Question 35

When was Mary I born and who was her mum?

Answer 35

18 February 1516 - Catherine of Aragon

Question 36

Did Catherine of Aragon had fertility problem? Was Henry ok with this?

Answer 36

Yes. Had multiple miscarriages and still births. Only had Mary I who survived to adulthood. Henry VIII was understanding at first since children fatality was common.

Question 37

Did Henry VIII love Mary I?

Answer 37

Yes he did. Gave her many titles and called her 'Pearl of his World.'