Henry VIII: Consolidation - Aims

Question 1

What were Henry’s aims early on in his reign?

Answer 1

• To be a glorious warrior
• To be an imperial king
• To be well-liked

Question 2

What is an imperial king?

Answer 2

• A king who ruled over an empire, inspiration largely taken from Roman Empire
• Henry wanted to revive the notion of England conquering large areas of France
• This had been the intention during the Hundred Years’ War (1338–1453), but with only limited success
• One of the main highpoints was the battle
  of Agincourt in 1415

Question 3

How was Henry’s first attempt at proving himself to be a warrior?

Answer 3

• In 1512 Henry led an army against the French as part of an international alliance, but the campaign was unsuccessful
• With increasing costs, little reward and low morale from starving and sick soldiers, the English returned home

Question 4

How was Henry’s second attempt at proving himself to be a warrior?

Answer 4

• Later in 1512, Henry turned to Thomas Wolsey to organise a second expedition to France for 1513
• Campaign was a success
• English drove off the French in a cavalry encounter named ‘the Battle of the Spurs’
• English captured the fortress of Therouanne and the town of Tournai

Question 5

What were the outcomes of Henry’s second expedition?

Answer 5

• In 1514 the achievement was sealed in the Treaty of Saint Germaine-en-Laye, negotiated by Wolsey
• It left England in possession of Tournai and Therouanne
• Left Henry with a handsome annual payment for agreeing to give up his claims to the French throne
• Henry had gained the reputation that he had sought as a young warrior king

Question 6

What other country did Henry have to face in battle early on in his reign?

Answer 6

• Henry also had to face the Scots who allied against the French in 1512
• James IV of Scotland led an army to invade the north-east of England with the intention of diverting English troops from going to France
• With Henry in France, Catherine, his wife, was acting as Regent
• The Earl of Surrey was given the title of Lieutenant-General of the North with instructions to take an army north to repel the invasion

Question 7

How did the battle against Scotland go?

Answer 7

• The Battle of Flodden (September 1513) went extremely well
• English lost 1,500 men, but the Scots are said to have lost about 10,000
• These included nine Earls, thirteen barons, three bishops and, most crucially, King James IV
• A committee was set up to rule in the name of the wife of James IV, Margaret Tudor, and of her one-and-a-half-year-old son, James V
• Scotland became much weaker and would not be an active threat to Henry VIII for many years to come

Question 8

How did Henry view the nobility?

Answer 8

• Henry regarded nobility as his friends and associates
• Could share his sporting and artistic pleasures wth them
• By gathering nobles, Henry enhanced the prestige of his court
• Henry wanted to please the nobles

Question 9

How did Henry try to please the nobles?

Answer 9

• Henry executed Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley, heads of the Council Learned in Law on 17 August 1510
• Henry abolished the Council Learned in Law during the first parliament
• 175 bonds and recognisances were therefore ended