Henry VIII and Wolsey- background information💛 Flashcards
How old was Henry VIII when he took the crown?
17.
How did people react when Henry VIII came to the throne?
-‘Now the people liberated run before their king with bright faces’
-‘no longer does fear whisper secrets in one’s ear’.
-‘Handsomest’
Who were Dudley and Empson?
-Fathers advisers.
-Implemented harsh financial policies.
-Kept for a while but eventually arrested and executed.
Who was Thomas Wolsey?
-Son of an Ipswich butcher.
-Used jobs in the church to gain power.
-Priest and held important titles such as Chaplain.
-Belief in the king taking precedent.
What did Wolsey’s contemporaries think of him?
-Angered the nobility
-Ruthlessness in his methods.
-Reformed the legal system, but was not a legal specialist, exposing him to criticism.
-Increased reforms to the privy chamber and was controlling peoples access to the king.
What did John Slow say about Wolsey?
‘it was a strange matter to see a man not trained up in the law to sit in the seat of judgement’
What factors were the most important in explaining Wolsey’s rise to power?
1-Hard Work
2-The king’s unwillingness to govern directly > he is young
3-Talent and intelligence
4- opportunist > advising henry to go to war, speaks against bishop foxes peace policy, appealed to the king
5-Luck > right place right time
How did Wolsey use hard work?
-Appealed to the king because he also wanted a fun life.
How did the king’s unwillingness to govern directly help Wolsey?
-French expedition in 1513, Wolsey took control of it and Henry was not directly in charge of the difficult organisation. (showed his capability).
How was Wolsey’s talent and intelligence showcased?
-Degree from Oxford at fifteen.
-1513 French expedition
How did Wolsey use flattery?
-Gave the king the advice that he wanted to hear.
-Treated him as a partner and he was always quick to recognise opportunities for promotion.
-Give him an expensive gift and drop into the sentence
How did Wolsey use luck?
-Dudley’s removal
-Warsham and Fox in political retirement
What were Henry’s war aims?
-Proving himself as a valiant knight and a warrior king.
-Asserting his claim to the French throne.
Why was Henry’s aim of reasserting the French throne an issue?
-France was stronger than ever.
Why were Henry’s advisers against war?
-Expensive
-advisers such as Bishop fox and Archbishop Warham wanted to continue the policies of Henry VII.
