Henry VIII, Government and Parliament Flashcards
The conciliar approach to governing occurred between 1509-14. What factors brought it to an end?
- Henry couldn’t get the support of senior councillors to go to war with France.
- As he became more attuned to governing, he wanted to be in more control with decision making.
- Be became impressed by Wolsey’s organisational skills, whose contribution to the management of the French campaign earned him royal gratitude.
What part of government was outside of Wolsey’s control?
THE PRIVY CHAMBER - at the start of Henry’s reign, young courtiers became gentlemen of this. They distrusted Wolsey, and when he tried to remove them and replace them with his own supporters in 1519, most recovered their positions. However, in 1526, Wolsey reduced the numbers in this chamber and replaced Sir William Compton with a more compliant GROOM OF STOOL.
What court did Wolsey use to try and uphold ‘fair’ justice first?
THE COURT OF CHANCERY-he tried to deal with problems (eg enclosure) but justice was slow because it was too popular.
What became centre of justice and government under Wolsey?
THE COURT OF STAR CHAMBER-it’s use was extended in 1516 to increase cheap and fair justice.
How did Wolsey reform finance?
Instead of using local commissioners to assess taxpayers’ wealth, he himself did to raise subsidies. Consequently, the nations revenue base became much more realistic.
How did Wolsey raise revenue for the war with France in 1522?
He attempted to raise unparliamentary taxation through the AMICABLE GRANT of 1525, which led to widespread resistance.
How did Wolsey try to reduce household expenditure?
Through the ELTHAM ORDINANCES in 1526-where proposals were pushed forward. Through this he was able to reduce the numbers in the Privy Chamber.
What position was the pope in when Henry wanted to divorce Catherine?
In 1527, the pope was in effect Emperor Charles V’s prisoner after he was sacked by the emperor’s troops. Because Charles was Catherine’s nephew, he didn’t want his family insulted.
How did Wolsey use his situation to desperately give Henry his annulment?
In May 1527, Wolsey used his power as personal representative of the pope in England to bring Henry in from of a fake court to accuse him of living in sin with his wife. However Catherine appealed to the pope in accordance of church law.
When was Wolsey arrested after being charged with praemunire?
On 4 November 1530
Leading up to Cromwell’s religious reforms, what four factors made the church’s position weak?
- Humanist criticisms by Colet and Erasmus made the Church weak.
- In 1528, the lawyer Christopher St German asserted the superiority of English law over the Canon law of the church.
- Intellectual justification for the king’s divorce was put together by Cramner and Foxe.
- Henry sought expert opinions on his marital status which was presented in front of the Houses of Parliament. This put pressure on the papacy.
What acts of Parliament in 1533-34 allowed a break from Rome?
- THE ACT IN RESTRAINT OF APPEALS (April 1533)-declared the king held an imperial jurisdiction which was not subject to any foreign power. It also declared that appeals could not be made to Rome against court decisions (ie Catherine couldn’t appeal).
- THE ACT OF SUPREMACY (November 1533)-declared the king as head of the church
- THE ACT OF SUCCESSION (April 1534)-declared Henry’s first marriage invalid, so succession was vested in Anne’s children. An oath should be taken to affirm ones acceptance of the new marriage.
- THE TREASON ACT (November 1534)-it was considered treason to question the validity of the new marriage in writing, deed or spoken word.
Give an example of a high profile victim who was ensnared by the Treason act of November 1534.
SIR THOMAS MORE was convicted and executed in July 1535 for denying the royal supremacy.
How did Cromwell increase the financial burden on the clergy?
THE ACT OF ANNEXING FIRST FRUITS AND TENTHS TO THE CROWN (November 1534)-annates which would have been paid to the pope by bishops were now paid to the King. This improved royal supremacy.
How did the crown mainly benefit financially from the break from Rome?
Through the dissolution of the monasteries, between 1536-42, the crown received the land which was confiscated by the church. However this benefit was short lived, as the land was sold cheaply to fund the foreign policy.
