Henry VIII and Wolsey Flashcards
1
Q
What were the three areas’s Wolsey made reforms?
A
legal, financial, social.
2
Q
What were the two systems of law at the time Wolsey came to power?
A
Common law + Civil law
3
Q
What was Common law, and why was there concern about it?
A
- In use since 1066
- based on precedent, or what had
been done before. - There was a growing concern that
common law was resulting in unjust
verdicts.
4
Q
What was lord chancellor Wolsey head of?
A
Secular legal system
5
Q
How did Wolsey use the secular legal system for own benefit?
A
- Overturned common law decisions
- Used the law to attack people he did
not like. - Sir Amyas Paulet - Damaged
Wolsey’s reputation when he started
as priest, Wolsey summoned him to
London, if he left London, property
confiscated.
6
Q
With Wolsey’s Legal reforms, how did he help the poor and weak?
A
- Supported civil law at expense of
common law. - Ensured courts he was responsible
for dispensed cheap and impartial
justice and were available to poor
and weak, who would stand little chance at gaining justice in common law which
often required fees. - Court of chancery, Wolsey
established a permanent judicial
committee to deal with cases
brought by the poor.
7
Q
How did Wolsey reform the tax system?
A
- Replacement of old fifteenths and
tenth tax system with subsidy tax
system. - Required tax payers to give details
of their property and income to local
officials who determined how much
they should pay. - brought in far more money given
more realistic valuation of wealth - However, still not enough to finance
Henry’s war’s.
8
Q
What did Henry VIII do to finance campaign in France 1523?
What was the consequence?
A
- Henry demanded subsidy of 4
shillings in the pound which would
raise £800,000. - Caused outcry, Wolsey got subsidy,
but only £300,000. - Wolsey sent out commissioners to
bring in unparliamentary tax,
unsuccessful. - Amicable grant occurred when
being collected. in East Anglia
10,000 men assembled against
grant, Henry forced to cancel grant.
9
Q
How else did Wolsey try to increase revenue (other than tax)?
A
- From crown lands, revenue had
decreased by 90% - Done through acts of resumption,
gaining more crown land. - Not enough to have a significant
impact.
10
Q
What was Henry VIII earnings through Wolsey’s financial reforms?
A
- £322,000 in subsidies, £240,000
through clerical taxation, £260,000
in forced loans. - Did not cover £1.7M spent between
1509 and 1520.
11
Q
Describe Wolsey’s social reforms.
A
- Attacked nobility and gentry’s gain
from enclosure, Wolsey was seen as
defending the poor as they were the
ones who were driven of common
land. - 1517 Wolsey established an enquiry,
identified enclosed land and
buildings that had been demolished
when land had been converted from
arable to pasture. - Led to legal proceedings in court of
chancery against those who had
ignored previous laws. - 1518-1529, legal action against 264
landowners, 188 verdicts reached,
some forced to rebuild and others
to return land to arable farming. - 1523 Wolsey forced to sacrifice
whatever gains made, accepting all
existing enclosures as part of an
agreement with subsidy.
12
Q
What were the two elements to Wolsey’s attitude to administration?
A
- His relationship with parliament
- The privy chamber.
13
Q
Describe Wolsey’s relationship with parliament?
A
- Only summoned it twice not fond of
it. - Only called in times of war when
funds needed to be raised. - Parliament often didn’t provide the
desired level of subsidy. - Issues often not because of
parliament relation with Wolsey, but
more because henry’s foreign policy
lacked benefits.
14
Q
Describe Wolsey’s actions with the Privy chamber?
A
- Wolsey introduced Eltham
ordinances in 1526, to help to bring
about greater efficiency in
controlling finances/household. - Gave Wolsey more influence as it
limited other peoples access to king. - More control and influence over
government. - The ones more politically active
were removed, leaving behind
those of little influence. - Wolsey worried about the influence
of the king’s minions at court who
tried to influence policy.
15
Q
Describe Wolsey’s relations with the nobility.
A
- Wolsey’s background and rise to
power were resented by many of
the nobles who considered
themselves to be natural advisors to
king. - Wolsey often went out of his way to
antagonise them. - As soon as he became lord
chancellor he announced in star
chamber that nobility would not be
above law (1516) - Duke of Buckingham, rumours of a
noble plot against Wolsey, Duke
convicted of treason and executed. - Sent Earl of Northumberland to fleet
prison for contempt of the councils
jurisdiction.
