Henry VIII Domestic Policy Flashcards
1
Q
What were Henry’s aims?
A
- Increase crown income
- Secure loyalty/patronage
- Security
2
Q
What were Wolsey’s aims?
A
- Futher his position of power
- Please Henry
- Maintain peace
- Improve life for the poor
3
Q
How were the courts successful?
A
- When Wolsey became Lord Chancellor in 1515 he presided over the Star Chamber and Court of Chancery. Wolsey oversaw almost 9,000 cases 120 a year in Star Court alone whereas under Henry VII only about a dozen were brought a year
- Star Chamber was impartial as anyone - both rich and poor - could bring their cases
- In 1519 a special committee was set up in westminster specifically to hear the cases of the poor
4
Q
How were the courts not successful?
COUNTER SK
A
- While Wolsey attracted a lot of new people to the court he was unable to reform it bureaucratically - meant that there was nothing to ensure his changes would remain once he was gone
- Wolsey was tough on aristocrats - 1515 Northumberland was sent to Flett Prison and in 1516 Lord Burgavenny was accused of illegal retaining - could compromise nobility’s loyalty to Henry thus not satisfying Henry’s aims
5
Q
How was parliament successful?
A
- Developed new tax, a subsidy in 1513 - used it 4 times from 1513-16 and raised £170,000
- Subsidies were based on wealth rather than income so the poor would pay less
6
Q
How was parliament not successful?
COUNTER SK
A
- Subsidies helped the poor at the expense of the nobility - compromised their loyalty
- At 1523 Parliament Wolsey demanded a subsidy to raise £800,000 to fund Henry’s wars but was only given enough to raise £300,000
- Ultimately not enoush money was raised to cover the 1.7mil spent
7
Q
What was the Amicable Grant?
A
- A significant failure
- A period of heavy taxation
- Swift and hostile public reaction to the point the grant was dropped
- Dukes of Suffolk and Norfolk made it clear it would be impossible to collect
- Compromised loyalty from nobility
- Did the opposite of furthering Wolsey’s position - led to his fall
8
Q
How was enclosure successful?
A
- Wolsey established a 1517-18 Enclosure Commission
- Was seen as defending the poor
9
Q
How was enclosure unsuccessful?
COUNTER SK
A
- Action against 264 people who were mostly nobility - made Wolsey unpopular
10
Q
How was the King’s Court successful? (For Wolsey)
A
1526 Eltham Ordinances cut number of Privy Council from 12 to 6 - Wolsey removed the 6 most politically active men who could threaten his power and influence over Henry
11
Q
How was the church successful?
A
- Wolsey was Papal Legate and Cardinal - most powerful church man in England
- Wolsey closed 29 religious houses as they were deemed unsatisfactory - aimed to settle clerical issues in the church
12
Q
How was the church not successful?
COUNTER SK
A
Wolsey was seemingly against pluralism (tried to set up new Bisphorics) but had two dioceses himself
