Henry VIII - Government Flashcards
How long did conciliar form of government last in Henry’s reign?
1509-1514
How did the conciliar form of government come to an end?
Henry was annoyed with the reluctance of senior councillors to support war with France and wanted to assert his right so surrounded himself with likeminded young courtiers
How to Wolsey come to power?
Henry was impressed with Wolsey’s skills and he became the dominant political figure
His main concerns were the legal system, formulation of domestic policy, and political decision making
What happened with the privy chamber?
Before 1519 lay outside Wolsey’s immediate control
The role of the privy chamber extended when the kings ‘minions’ became gentlemen of the privy chamber (they distrusted Wolsey)
In 1519 Wolsey secured removal of minions and replaced with his own supporters - but most managed to recover positions so remained out of Wolsey’s control
What was Henry’s overall opinion on government?
He liked to have an overview of his government but was happy to let others do mundane work for him
How often was parliament called?
In the first part of Henry’s reign his reasons were the same as his fathers - to secure revenue
Wolsey was reluctant to call parliament
But Cromwell exploited it legislative possibilités and they met more frequently in the second part of the reign
What was government like before the 1530s?
Little to suggest different to Henry VII
The two main functions of parliament remained - grant extraordinary revenue and pass laws
Before 1529 Henry only summoned parliament in 1510, 1512, 1515, and 1523
What was the Court of Chancery?
Wolsey had right to preside over court of chancery as Lord Chancellor
Tried to use it to uphold ‘fair’ justice (problems relating to enclosure, contracts, and land left to others in wills
Became too popular and justice was slow
What was the Court of Star Chamber?
Became centre of government and justice under Wolsey
Increased cheap and fair justice
Wolsey encouraged use for private lawsuits (too successful, had to set up ‘overflow tribunals’)
Permanent committee he set up in 1519 dealt with cases involving poor
What was the Tudor subsidy?
Wolsey changed the way subsidies were collected
Instead of local commissioners he set up a national committee he headed
Wolsey raised extraordinary revenue for war with France (insufficient - Amicable Grant of 1525 - resistance)
What were Eltham Ordinances?
Introduced by Wolsey in 1526 to reform finances of Privy council
Secured reduction in number of gentleman of privy chamber
Secured removal of groom of the stool and replaced with more compliant Henry Norris
What was the Kings Great Matter?
By mid-20s Henry dissatisfied with marriage
Henry required Wolsey to secure papal dispensation for annulment of marriage to Catherine (Henry argued papal dispensation for his marriage to Catherine was invalid, Catherine argued her marriage to Arthur was never consummated)
Why was Henry dissatisfied with his marriage to Catherine of Aragon?
Catherine past childbearing age
Only Princess Mary - no male heir
(Considered legitimising Henry Fitzroy - son from mistress)
Fallen in love with Anne Boleyn (niece of Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk) who was unwilling to become mistress
