Henry VIII Flashcards
3 Words to describe Henry
vain, egotistical, handsome
Main goals throughout his reign
INITIALLY: To distance himself from his father’s unpopular policies
- securing the Tudor dynasty through providing a male heir to the throne
- Achieve glory on the battlefield, particularly in France and establish England’s power and authority internationally - supreme power
Hobbies
Sport, hunting, music
Why did Henry want to distance himself from his father’s policies?
Many of his father’s policies were unpopular. Henry VII had come to the throne through right of conquest, which didn’t guarantee loyalty nationally or internationally he therefore felt extremely insecure throughout his reign and focussed his efforts on reducing the power of the nobility and removing Yorkist threats to the throne.
Henry VIII felt much more secure when he inherited the throne, he believed it was his right to be King and it was his destiny.
How did Henry try and dissociate himself from his father’s unpopular policies?
Through attacking his father’s advisors, he arrested Empson and Dudley
Removed the council learned in law which acted as a royal debt collector
Who did Henry marry at the start of his reign + benefits?
Catherine of Aragon
Secured an alliance with Spain
How had Henry VII left the crown’s finances for Henry VIII?
In an extremely stable position, there was £300,000 royal coffers
Why did Henry VIII rarely use parliament, hw many times early in his reign?
Took less of an interest in parliamentary affairs than his father
Before 1529 he had only called parliament twice
Which 2 times did Henry VIII call parliament before 1529?
- 1515 - Hunne case, Richard hunne was refusing to pay taxes on his baby’s burial. He was arrested then murdered - evidence of anti-clericalism in parliament
- 1523 - parliament was called to grant Henry higher taxation
Why was Parliament used more frequently by Henry after 1529?
Given the circumstances of Henry’s desire for a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, parliament had a key role in changing the country’s religion and grant acts such as the act of supremacy in 1534
How did Henry use his chief ministers?
H, unlike his father took little interest in affairs in parliament. Left most affairs in parliament up to his chief ministers - they were therefore extremely powerful and had a lot of influence
Characteristics of Wolsey
Intelligent - Won a scholarship to study priesthood at Oxford at just 15
Committed - prioritised the needs of the King and served him well
When was Wolsey born?
1572 - son of a butcher
Titles Wolsey gained
He was able to quickly gain higher titles in church
1515 -Lord Chancellor
1518 - Papal Legate
1524 - legate a latere
Wolsey’s rise in court
- Gained recognition in court at the end of Henry VII’s reign through Bishop fox who was one of Henry’s most trusted councillors
- The new found atmosphere in Henry VIII’s court meant ambitious men like Wolsey were able to gain recognition from Henry
- Henry recognised Wolsey for his intelligence, organisational skills and his ability to guess what the King wanted to hear. Henry’s frustrations with the cautious advice of his father’s councillors was becoming extremely evident, he was looking for new, fresh, ambitious councillors
- By 1512 Henry had entrusted Wolsey with the expedition to France. This was a huge success for W.
By 1515 he had been rewarded with the title of Lord Chancellor
By 1518 he had been rewarded with the title of papal legate
Negative characteristics of Wolsey
Vindictive Manipulative Controlling - used his titles and power to control members of Henry's royal council Entitled Arrogant
Why did Wolsey have enemies in court?
Said to have used his titles and power to manipulate the King and control other members of henry’s regency council
Example of Wolsey’s enemies in court
Duke of Buckingham
Rumour in 1520 he had been claiming that Henry wouldn’t last long as King
By 1521 Wolsey had had Buckingham arrested and executed
Buckingham’s fate could be seen as a warning to anyone who tried to question the cardinal’s power
Why might Wolsey have felt threatened by Buckingham?
He was the only person to have ever held a title of Duke during Henry’s reign - Wolsey may have felt threatened by this
What can Buckingham’s execution be seen as?
A warning to anyone who could potentially try to question the Cardinal’s power
What did Wolsey’s titles in church mean?
1518 papal legate - he represented the pope in England
1524 legate a latere - full supreme authority of the pope
How had Wolsey been granted the title legate a latere?
Both Henry and Wolsey had put significant amounts of pressure on the pope to grant the title, legate a latere as permanent so Wolsey could undergo a reform of the church
What did many of Wolsey’s enemies accuse him of?
Pluralism
He had been granted many titles in church, including Archbishop of York and Bishop of Durham meaning
Absenteeism
Because he had so many titles, he couldn’t fulfil all his duties at once
Concerns regarding church
- Keeping protestantism under control
2. The church reform (didn’t see this as a main goal of his so didn’t do much for it)
How was protestantism spreading?
Invention of the printing press meant many people were more aware of the criticisms of the tax going to the pope in Rome.
Many lollards were exploiting this issue and using it to promote the work of Martin Luther
How did Wolsey personify the problem of protestantism?
He had 2 illegitimate children and was living with his wife
How did Wolsey control the spread of protestantism?
- Convinced Henry to publish the ‘defence of the 7 sacraments’ in 1521 which involved heavy criticisms of the work of Martin Luther - H later rewarded with the title of ‘defender of the faith’ because of his work
- Burnt many lutheran texts outside st paul’s cathedral
- Arrested those in universities suspected of protestantism
In reality why wasn’t the spread of protestantism that much of an issue for Wolsey?
Most people stayed devoted to the Catholic faith and many Lollards weren’t actually protestant
What did Wolsey do for the reformation of the church?
Shut down 8 religious houses and 24 Monastries as a method of controlling monasticism and promoting education
Failures of Wolsey in religious reform
Didn’t believe it was a major part of his work.
Planned to open multiple grammar schools - only one had been opened in Ipswich by his downfall
He also established a cardinal college at Oxford, however this success was short lived as it was later shut down by HVIII after his downfall and reopened as a christ church college
Evaluation of Wolsey’s policies regarding the church
Focussed his efforts on controlling spread of protestantism when in reality most people were extremely dedicated and loyal to the Catholic church
He was granted the title legate a latere by the pope in order to undertake a complete church reform - he had very little achievements in the church reform as he believed it wasn’t a major part of his role
How much power did Wolsey have in government?
Lots of influence - Henry took little interest in most government affairs
Although he had lots of influence he made sure to consult the king, and get the King’s approval before implementing measures - constantly feared for losing his position as ‘Henry’s favourite’
IN REALITY WOLSEY DID LITTLE IN GOVERNMENT
What were Wolsey’s acts in government mainly to do with?
Wolsey did little in governemnt, his policies mainly focussed on improving his position of power and gaining more control and influence over those in court
e.g. 1526 Eltham ordinances were implemented with the goal to improve the disastrous finances of the privy council, in reality the act was more to do with increasing Wolsey’s control and influence in court
When were the Eltham ordinances implemented and what were they designed to do?
1526
Implemented with the goal to improve the disastrous finances of the privy council. In reality the ordinances were more to do with increasing the power and influence that Wolsey had over others in court
What reputation did Wolsey have with regards to finances?
‘a friend of the poor’ - due to his frequent involvement in the problem of enclosures
Why had Henry VII distanced himself from the problem of enclosures
He feared opposition from landowners
What did Wolsey do to help the issue of enclosures?
He recognised the impact enclosures were having on the quality of life for the poor
1517 - conducted a survey to see how much land was being enclosed and the effects enclosures were having upon village life
Further investigations conducted in 1518 however, progress was suspended until 1526 due to opposition from landowners
When was progress suspended for solving the issue of enclosures and why?
1523 - 26
Opposition from landowners in parliament
First act conducted by Wolsey to stop the issue of enclosures
1517 - conducted a survey which enquired into how much land was actually enclosed and how enclosures were affecting village life
Over 220 landowners were taken to court
Why did Henry always have a shortage of money?
Foreign policy was expensive - desire for glory on the battle field and to be respected by other rulers
Summary of Wolsey’s financial policies
1522 - conducted a national survey which would find out how much tax people were capable of paying. This was used for a year and raised £200,000 whcih wasn’t a sufficient enough amount of money to keep up with Henry’s expensive foreign policy
1523 - introduced a subsidy which was a tax based on income rather than property, however again this tax didn’t raise as much money as Wolsey had hoped for
1525 - Amicable grant implemented on the church and on tax payers - based on property value rather than income
Financial policy implemented in 1523
subsidy tax - based on income rather than property value
Financial policy implemented in 1525
Amicable grant - implemented on church and based on property value rather than income
What position led Wolsey to be in charge of the legal system?
Lord Chancellor - 1515
main plan of Wolsey regarding legal system
To strengthen the star chamber - this was used to trail nobles and local officials who abused their power
What reputation was Wolsey given in his role in the legal system (and enclosures)?
‘a friend of the poor’
How was Wolsey a ‘friend of the poor’ in his financial policies?
He encouraged the poor to put forward their cases before the court and used the court of requests to hear cases from the poor - this was a cheaper, faster system to use
He also showed his support for anti-enclosure laws as he recognised the effect enclosures were having on the quality of village life
What other court did Wolsey use, as well as the star chamber?
court of requests - for the poor
quick and cheap
What 2 failures led to Wolsey’s downfall
- Failure to resolve Henry’s ‘great matter’ - Henry wanted Wolsey, as papal legate to influence the pope into granting the annulment
- The Amicable grant of 1525, implemented to fund Henry’s expensive war with France - led to rebellion and forced Henry to withdraw from the war
What did Henry question when Wolsey failed to solve his ‘great matter’?
Wolsey’s loyalty to Henry - he believed Wolsey was serving the pope before Henry
What 3 methods did Wolsey use to try and obtain Henry a divorce from Catherine of Aragon?
- Drew up a complex line of argument surrounding the reason that COA could not produce a male heir
- Attempted to remove Charles V’s influence from Pope Clement
- Completely remove any influence Pope Clement had over the decision
What reasons did Wolsey put forward that COA could not produce a male heir?
H had married his brother, Arthur’s widow. This was a sinful act, proved through a section written by leviticus in the old testament. Henry’s conscience would not allow this to continue
Why didn’t the first method Wolsey used - convincing people Henry had committed a sinful act work?
Many did not believe in Leviticus’s meaning and believed it was Henry’s duty to marry his brother’s widow and have children with her on his brother’s behalf
Why would Charles V of Spain be unlikely to support the divorce?
He was COA’s nephew
How did Wolsey attempt to remove Charles V’s influence?
By establishing an alliance with France and through the renewal of Italian warfare
Why did Wolsey’s plan to remove Charles’ influence from the pope fail?
Charles was far too entrenched in the Italian peninsula
How did Wolsey attempt to remove any influence the pope would have over the divorce?
He arranged for the divorce hearing to be held in England and granting the divorce himself through his position as papal legate
What was the Pope’s reaction to Wolsey’s requests to have the divorce hearing in England?
As to not offend Wolsey Pope Clement agreed
However, as to not offend Charles V, he sent cardinal cambeggio over to england to assist with the divorce
Who did the pope send over to England to assist with the divorce and what was he instructed to do?
Cardinal cambeggio
Sent with strict instructions to ensure a decision was never made
Why was the divorce hearing in England delayed even further?
Due to Cambeggio’s ill-health
Where was the trial held in England?
Blackfriars
Why was the divorce hearing delayed even further after Cambeggio arrived in England?
COA refused to recognise the court hearing. She challenged the authority of the court and demanded for the case to be heard in Rome. the pope agreed to Catherine’s requests
Why did the Pope agree to Catherine’s requests after she challenged the authority of the pope and demanded for the divorce case to be held in Rome?
Used as another way to delay the divorce hearing, without offending Henry or Charles
What had henry realised after all 3 of Wolsey’s attempts to secure Henry’s ‘great matter’ had failed?
Wolsey had run out of solutions and had no use to Henry anymore
Charged Henry with Praemunire - accusations of putting the needs of the pope ahead of those of the King
