Henry VIII - Government Flashcards
What were Henry’s early decisions involving government?
Abolished Council Learned in Law (notorious for making money from nobles) and cancelled 175 bonds owed to his father
What was different in Henry’s attitude toward nobles?
Viewed nobles as his friends
Who did he prefer in his day to day running of government?
JP’s and trained administrators like his father
What was domination of privy council like?
Conciliar approach ended in 1514, Wolsey dominated, conciliar approach for three years, Cromwell dominates in 1530’s, major reform of privy council (20 men specified responsibility)
How many advisers were in the privy chamber?
20
What was parliament under Henry VII like?
Similar to his father’s way of running it - continued extraordinary revenue and pass laws
How often was Parliament called?
Wolsey only called on it once in 1523
Cromwell exploited use and called it more frequently
Why did Cromwell call on Parliament more often?
For expensive foreign wars and establishment of Royal Supremacy
What was introduced in Privy Chamber?
‘Gentleman of the Privy Chamber’ - Henry surrounded himself with likeminded courtiers
Regional Government under Henry VIII
Henry Courtney - dominant in South West
Durham, Cheshire were palatines/separate
1536 Acts with Wales brought in more control
Council in the North - permanent body professionally staffed following POG
Local Government under Henry VIII?
Increase in number of JP’s, members of gentry drawn into unpaid administration on behalf of crown, more layman carrying out administration than clergymen
How did Wolsey gain Henry VIII trust?
Organising 1513 expedition to France, supplies for 30,000 men, gave him power after success
When did Henry make Wolsey Lord Chancellor?
1515
When was Wolsey’s promotion to Papal Legate?
1518
Wolsey’s Character?
Greedy (500 servants), spiteful and intimidating to opponents, 1521 execution of Duke of Buckingham
What was Wolsey like with Henry VIII?
Run day to day government, kept him informed, feared influence of favourite nobles who had access to King’s private rooms
What did Wolsey put in place in 1526 and what did it do?
Eltham Ordinances to reorganise chaotic finances of Privy Chamber, more efficient government, removing unnecessary jobs, firing sick workers
Why was Eltham Ordinances negative?
Lapsed once Wolsey was secure in power so could have been about weakening rivals rather than maintaining efficiency
What did Wolsey attempt to do with law?
Introduce civil law (on evidence and justice) at the expense of common law (based on precedent)
What did Wolsey do with the Star Chamber and why was this good?
More frequent use, 120 cases per year
Trials for abuse of power of nobles more common and encouraged commoners to come forward
Why was frequent use of Star Chamber negative?
Could be misused to attack rival nobles, Wolsey made few major changes but those he did make were mainly to increase his own power/security
How did Wolsey support the poor people in Law and why was this not good?
Court of Requests to hear cases for low fees and quick decisions
Passed for personal reasons and reforms were not long lasting
What did Wolsey do in 1525?
Amicable Grant to fund war with French, forced loan which failed, levy of 1/3 of goods of clergy
When did Wolsey suggest a subsidy (more flexible tax)?
1523, based on income rather than property but did not raise enough, levied new tax on church
What did Wolsey arrange in 1522 and how much money did it rake in?
Survey to see who could pay, 200,000 pounds income, first systematic investigation into national finances since 1086
Why did parliamentary grants become worth less?
Fixed sum, worth less with inflation
Economy under Wolsey
Tried to tackle enclosures, destroyed jobs and village life
Trade embargo with Spain in 1527 affected cloth trade badly
1527 - Unemployment and inflation rose, bad harvests
Character of Cromwell?
Ruthless, Geoffrey Elton viewed him as public servant, heavily Protestant, executed more than half charged with treason following POG
What was Royal Council like under Cromwell and what is the revisionist view on this?
20 composing of lawyers, administrators
In fact of Wolsey’s idea, changes did not begin until after 1540
What was number of House of Commoners under Cromwell and why was it good?
310, diverse classes, parliament representatives of a “political nation”
What financial institutions did Cromwell create?
Court of Augmentations - controlled former Church land
Court of First Fruits and Tenths - money previously sent to Pope
Court of Wards - maximise money from wardship
How does revisionist view dispute Cromwell’s good work in finances?
Carried on Henry VII’s goals, Henry VII created Master of King’s Wards well before Cromwell created Court of Wards
How did Cromwell extend power of the monarch?
Act of restraint of Appeals 1533 - everyone owed King total obedience, all power from King
Act of Union with Wales 1536 - reorganised local government in Wales, monarch control greater
Act against Liberties and Franchises - restricted special powers of regional nobles
How did Cromwell not extend power of monarch?
Monarch power was immense before changes, significant influence over emergency taxation and church positions
How did Cromwell change parliament?
Parliament played a central role in confirming Henry’s supremacy, unbroken meeting from 1529-1536
Dissolution of monasteries meant abbots no longer represented in lords, clergy in minority in upper house now
Why was Cromwell changes in Parliament bad?
Increase in power only temporary, only occurred because parliament needed for religious change, evident in Elizabeth I reign where parliament role was limited
What were the two factions and members?
Reformist and Conservative
Reformist - Edward Seymour, Thomas Cranmer
Conservative - Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Surrey
Why was there a growth in factionalism?
No chief minister to succeed Cromwell so nobles competed, power vacuum
Henry in poor health so rival factions began to take decisions without consent
What did Reformists believe?
Fully supportive of Henry as Head of Church, wanted to introduce further Protestant changes to doctrine
What did Conservatives believe?
Supportive of Head of Church, believed in Catholic doctrines
Years of dominance for Reformists?
1542-47
Years of dominance for Conservatives?
1540-42
