Henry VIII - Government and Parliment

Question 1

Why did Henry’s earlier years see continuity?

Answer 1

He had inherited a strong and efficient central and local government structure, staffed by able administrators (many of which continued in office under Henry VIII)

Question 2

What were the types of government in Henry’s reign?

When were they?

Answer 2

1509-1514: Conciliar

1514-1529: Wolsey

1529-1532: Conciliar

1532-1540: Cromwell

1540-1547: Conciliar

Big mac: conciliar = bread

Question 3

What change took place in 1514?

Answer 3

By 1514 conciliar government had broken down because of disagreements over war in France or Henry’s preference to surround himself with younger courtiers

Question 4

From 1514-1529 who did Henry rely on?

Answer 4

Relied on Wolsey to manage government effectively

Question 5

Who is an example of a young noble in Henry’s government

Answer 5

Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk.

Question 6

What was local gov

Question 7

How did parliament grow in importance in Henry VIII’s reign?

Answer 7

• The ‘Reformation Parliament’ dealt with Henry’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon and reformed the Church.
• They granted extraordinary revenue to finance.
• Divorce and break from Rome accomplished using Statue Law (parliament) whose supremacy over canon law was established

Question 8

How was the role of the Privy Chamber extended during the early years of Henry VIII’s rule?

Answer 8

It was established in Henry VII’s reign but under Henry VIII, The kings ‘minions’ (young courtiers who enjoyed Henry’s favour) became Gentleman of the Privy Chamber, transforming their status and that of the privy chamber
This was one area which before 1519 lay outside Wolsey’s immediate control

Question 9

Who was Thomas Wolsey?

Answer 9

A churchman of humble origins

Question 10

Was Wolsey trained in law or finance?

Answer 10

“Master of finance”

Question 11

What about Wolsey impressed Henry and what did this lead to?

Answer 11

His organisational abilities (especially in the French campaign) so he rose to become Archbishop of York in 1514 , a cardinal in 1515 and papal legate (Pope’s personal representative) in 1518.

Wolsey (certainly in early years) had the unbelievable to give the king precisely what he wanted or to convince the king of what he assumed he wanted.

Question 12

When was Wolsey appointed Lord Chancellor by Henry and what did this mean?

Answer 12

1515 - put him in control of royal government and gave him immense power as all other courtiers had to go through him to speak to the king

Question 13

As Lord Chancellor what was Wolsey responsible for?

Answer 13

Overseeing the legal system and promoting royal authority by enforcing law and order

Question 14

What was Wolsey’s role on the court of chancery?

What did he use it for?

Answer 14

He was head of it.

He tried to use this power to uphold ‘fair’ justice in problems relating to enclosure of open fields for sheep farming.

Question 15

From 1516 what did Wolsey extend the use of?

Answer 15

The court of Star Chamber

Question 16

What was the court of Star Chamber?

Answer 16

An offshoot from the king’s council established in Henry VII’s rule 1487.

Used to increase cheap and fair justice and heard cases of alleged misconduct by people who were dominant in their localities and private lawsuit.

Question 17

What did Wolsey do in 1525 when extraordinary revenue raised proved insufficient to finance Henry’s war in France?

Answer 17

He tried to raise unparliamentary taxation called the Amicable Grant of 1525 - this was in theory a voluntary gift to the king from his subjects - It was actually a heavy tax imposed without parliaments approval.

Question 18

What was the outcome of Wolsey’s attempt to raise Amicable Grant?

Answer 18

It caused widespread resistance and had to be abandoned

Question 19

What did Wolsey introduce in 1526 to raise money for the king?

Answer 19

Eltham Ordinances - apparently aimed to reduce royal household expenditure by reforming the Privy Chambers finances - through this Wolsey also succeeded in reducing the Privy Chamber’s influence as he reduced the number of gentlemen in the P-Chamber (the one area of government he didn’t have control)
He also secured the removal of Henry’s Groom of the Stool, Sir William Compton, replacing him with the more compliant Henry Norris

Question 20

What was the ‘King’s Great Matter’?

Answer 20

Concerned the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon - could only be granted by the pope

Question 21

What reasons did Henry have for the divorce?

Answer 21

By the mid 1520’s he had no male heir, only one surviving daughter and Catherine was passed child-bearing age.

He was in love with Anne Boleyn (niece of Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk) who was unwilling to be a mistress

Question 22

What happened in 1525 with the annulment?

Answer 22

Henry asked Wolsey to secure a papal dispensation for the annulment of his marriage to Catherine providing biblical justification that his marriage to his brothers widow had been illegal in the sight of God

Question 23

What happened in 1527 with the annulment?

Answer 23

Wolsey (as Papal Legate) called a fake court to ‘try’ Henry for living in sin with his supposed wife (Henry agreed) - Henry readily admitted to this
But Catherine refused to accept the court’s verdict and in accordance with canon law appealed to the Pope

Question 24

After Catherine appealed to Pope Clement VII why was he reluctant to cooperate with Wolsey?

Answer 24

Catherine’s nephew (Charles V - HRE and king of Spain) fiercely opposed the annulment and in May 1527 Charles’ troops, entered Rome, sacked the city and took the Pope prisoner as the emperor was not prepared to see him family insulted

Question 25

What happened in 1529 with the annulment?

Answer 25

After 2 years of fruitless diplomacy the Pope finally sent an envoy (Cardinal Campeggio) to hear the case. Campeggio didn't agree to the annulment. Sealing Wolsey's fate as he'd failed to get the annulment.

Question 26

In October 1529 what was Wolsey charged with and was it expected?

Answer 26

Having failed to achieve an annulment Wolsey was charge with praemunire (using papal authority against the crown) so he retired and surrendered his possessions to the king (including Hampton Court).

Question 27

Why was Wolsey already in his downfall?

Answer 27

He was already unpopular for forcing the 1523 subsidy through parliament and imposing the amicable grant - former associated began distancing themselves from him.

Question 28

What happened with Wolsey in 1530?

Answer 28

On 4th of November 1530 he was arrested but died at Leicester Abbey on the 29th, before he could be tried and executed.

Question 29

How many members did the Privy Council have - did Henry take part?

Answer 29

About 20 members appointed by the King - handled routine members of state. Henry drew up agendas but never attended meetings

Question 30

What was the Court?

Answer 30

All persons who were in attendance of the King on any given day - The Court moved from place to place with the King

Question 31

What was the Privy Chamber?

Answer 31

Part of the Household - head of PC = Groom of the Stool Gentlemen of PC = attended to King's most intimate requests

Question 32

What was the dry stamp and how many people had access to it?

Answer 32

A forged Kings signature - only ever given to 3 men at a time - impression of kings signature pressed onto document and outlined with ink

Question 33

What is a faction?

Answer 33

A group of people who sought to advance shared interests, either positive or negative (e.g gaining titles for themselves or denying them to rivals)

Question 34

What was the longest standing faction during Henry's reign and one another example?

Answer 34

Aragonese - supported the rights and position of Catherine of Aragon. Boleyn faction - orchestrated the demise of Wolsey because he could not / would not obtain a divorce for Catherine and Henry to enable him to marry Anne

Question 35

What is patronage?

Answer 35

A way of the King rewarding people who had earned his favour including titles and money

Question 36

Who did Henry arrest 2 days after his fathers death?

Answer 36

Empson and Dudley - they were executed 16 months later

Question 37

What did Henry do about bonds at the start of his reign?

Answer 37

Some cancelled as a gesture of Goodwill but most maintained which didn't expire until the 1520's

Question 38

What message did the execution of Edmund de-la Pole In 1513 send out?

Answer 38

That perceived threats would be dealt with seriously. Edmunds brother, Richard, had taken up arms with the French against whom Henry was about to wage war.

Question 39

What was the act of resumption 1515?

Answer 39

Wolsey wanted to increase revenue from crown lands as many had been granted away at the beginning of Henry VIII's reign - this act returned some of the lands to the crown.

Question 40

What changes did Wolsey make to the church?

Answer 40

Dissolved 30 religious houses and used proceeds to build Oxford and Ipswich colleges Church became more centralised under his control and Churchmen more used to Crown orders

Question 41

What did Henry VIII do to many of Henry VII's political prisoners? Most famous example?

Answer 41

He released many of them. Most famous being William Courtenay (imprisoned for supporting Edmund de la Pole). This pardon represented move from old monarch to generous new one.

Question 42

How do we know that parliament was important to Henry?

Answer 42

He was there for 19/27 parliamentary sessions held in his reign and was present for more than six more.

Question 43

What did Wolsey do in 1525 when Henry wanted to invade France again?

Answer 43

Introduced Amicable Grant (demanded 1/6 of the income of laymen and 1/3 of wealthy Clergy) - created uprisings and Henry VIII forced to retreat

Question 44

What was anticlericalism?

Answer 44

In 1512 Parliament passed an act limiting the benefit of clergy to men in holy orders - lead to arguments

Question 45

What was Wolsey's view of parliament? How many times did he meet parliament?

Answer 45

He had little regard for it - saw it as an obstacle - visited only once in his 14 years (to grant a subsidy in 1523)

Question 46

What did Wolsey see money as?

Answer 46

A way of gratifying the king - had no real financial limits

Question 47

How much power is it thought Norfolk had?

Answer 47

Most powerful person after Wolsey

Question 48

What problem did amicable grant cause? (Wolsey's fault)

Answer 48

Led to a tax revolt so England had to switch from alliance with Charles V against France to an alliance with France against Charles V- jeopardised English trade and put Henry on wrong side of politics

Question 49

What accusation spread about Wolsey as he grew more wealthy and how wealthy was he?

Answer 49

In terms of disposable income arguably richer than the king himself.

Question 50

What was much oh Henry's case built on?

Answer 50

'The word of God' the bible, Leviticus states "if a man takes his brothers wife it is an impurity, he has uncovered his brothers nakedness , they shall be childless" - Catherine had been married to Arthur

Question 51

Who opposed the annulment?

Answer 51

Charles prevented the pope granting it in support of Catherine Catherine supporters argued a lack of evidence

Question 52

Who was Thomas Cromwell?

Answer 52

A lawyer who had come to Henry's attention while working under Wolsey - his skills engineered the break from Rome and he became invaluable to Henry By 1532 - king's chief minister

Question 53

What has Cromwell been credited for doing?

Answer 53

Revolutionising government by achieving royal supremacy through acts of parliament - enhancing its status. Also helped to give statue law (parliamentary) precedence over canon law (church)

Question 54

What did Cromwell change in government and what is an example of this?

Answer 54

Replaced the personal approach with a bureaucratic approach. He created compartments like : Court of Augmentations and Court of First Fruits and Tenths.

Question 55

What was the purpose of Court of Augmentations and Court of First Fruits and Tenths?

Answer 55

Court of Augmentations and Court of First Fruits and Tenths which were established to look after Henry's income from the church were subject to scrutiny

Question 56

How did Cromwell change the composition of the Privy Council and what did this increase ?

Answer 56

He reduced the number to 20 men who took responsibility for the business of government This increased efficiency and more value was placed on talent as opposed to personal status within government

Question 57

How was Cromwell involved in Henry's marriages?

Answer 57

When Henry's relationship with Anne Boleyn broke down Cromwell made the case for her adultery. He helped negotiate the marriage with Jane Seymour who finally produced a male heir (Edward in 1537) but died in childbirth

Question 58

What three things was Henry successful in at local level?

Answer 58

Council of the North re-established. Reduced independence of palatinates. Wales part of England.

Question 59

Why was re-establishing the council of the north a good thing?

Answer 59

It was difficult to govern areas so far away from London.

Question 60

Who were the English palatinates and when was their independence reduced?

Answer 60

Lancashire, Durham and Cheshire had separate jurisdictions from the rest of England. but its independence was being reduced from 1536. ​

Question 61

How did England almost completely merge Wales into England?

Answer 61

After 1536 - Act of Union, it had almost completely merged with England aside from survival of Welsh language​

Question 62

What did Cromwell's fall follow?

Answer 62

The failure of Henry's fourth marriage to German Princess , Anne of Cleaves - following the death of Jane, Cromwell had arranged this to reconcile Henry with the League of Schmalkalden (an organisation of German princesses and free cities within the HRE who supported Martin Luther so to suit his foreign policy By 1540 his influence declining anyway but there was a catalyst

Question 63

What was Cromwell then tried for?

Answer 63

Treason and heresy and executed in July 1940.

Question 64

What else happened on the same day as Cromwell's execution and then two days later?

Answer 64

Henry married Catherine Howard (niece of Duke or Norfolk) Two days later - the message that the Protestant Reformation cause was in tatters was reinforced by the burning for heresy of three Protestant theologians - Henry demonstrated his even-handedness by ensuring the execution on the same day of three Catholic Priests who had been imprisoned for six years for treason in denying the royal supremacy

Question 65

What did Henry do to government 1540-1547? Who did the power lay with?

Answer 65

Revived conciliar government but different as the fall of Cromwell. In 1540 power lay with conservatives anxious to halt further religious change such as Stephen Gardiner and Norfolk.

Question 66

What happened as Henry's health deteriorated?

Answer 66

Factional rivalries of those offering different political and religious views began to rise in a bid to control his succession.

Question 67

When did Henry die and who was the leading contender for power?

Answer 67

January 1547. Edward Seymour (Norfolk's rival) leading contender for power - the king's new uncle.

Question 68

What act did Cromwell pass in 1533?

Answer 68

Act of restraint of appeals - no appeals could be made to rome against decisions of the church in England. (Catherine couldn't appeal about annulement)

Question 69

What and when was the act of succession?

Answer 69

1534 - Annulled Henry's marriage to Catherine and vested the succession in Anne's children

Question 70

What and when was the Act of Supremacy?

Answer 70

1534 - King declared supreme head of the church in England - pope's authority no longer recognised in England - break from Rome

Question 71

What and when was the treason act and an example of its use?

Answer 71

1534 - became treasonable to call Henry a heretic - used against opponents of royal supremacy - used to target high profile victims e.g. Sir Thomas More - convicted and executed in July 1535 for denying royal supremacy

Question 72

What and when was the act in restraint of annates?

Answer 72

1534- allowed the annates to be transferred from Pope to king (strengthened kings position - special court set up to administer this)

Question 73

What were the first and second suppression acts?

Answer 73

1536 and 1541 - dissolved (supressed) the monasteries - confiscation of church land to crown vastly increased the wealth and power of the crown

Question 74

What were some of the uses of Parliament in Henry VIII's reign (specific)?

Answer 74

Jan 1510 - abolished Council Learned Feb 1512-14 - extraordinary revenue for invasion of Scotland and France and Anticlerical act 1529-36 - 'Reformation parliament' 1536 - New act of succession 1539-40 - religious legislation and extraordinary revenue with threat of invasion

Question 75

How did Wolsey and Cromwell differ in their use of parliament?

Answer 75

Wolsey was reluctant to use it whereas Cromwell exploited its legislative possibilities much more thoroughly so parliament met much more frequently in the second half of Henry's reign

Question 76

What factors combined to lead to the breakdown of conciliar government in 1514?

Answer 76

Henry became disenchanted with the reluctance of some of his father's councillors to support war with France. He surrounded himself with young like-minded courtiers who reinforced his suspicions of the 'old-guard' He became impressed by the organisational skills of Thomas Wolsey, whose effective management of the French campaign earned him royal gratitude

Question 77

Who did distrusted Wolsey in the Privy Chamber, when did he get rid of them?

Answer 77

Collectively, the minions distrusted Wolsey who set himself the task of neutralising their influence. In 1519 he secured the removal of the minions and replaced them with his own supporters but most of the minions managed to recover their positions. The P-chamber thus retained some of its prestige and influence as the one part of government outside Wolsey's immediate control

Question 78

What was the problem with the court of chancery?

Answer 78

It became too popular and justice was slow since it became clogged up with too many cases

Question 79

What was Wolsey's use of subsidy like?

Answer 79

Under Henry VII it was that expected taxpayers would provide extraordinary revenue - most effectively achieved by raising subsidies. Wolsey did not 'invent' the subsidy but he made a substantial change to the way subsidies were collected. Subsidy = grant issued by parliament to the sovereign State needs

Question 80

What is believed about Wolsey's relationship with Parliament?

Answer 80

That he didn't manage it well - this insensitivity is clear in 1523 Parliament called to grant the subsidy needed to finance the renewal of war against France

Question 81

What is the Groom of the Stool?

Answer 81

The most intimate of the monarchs courtiers, he became a man in which much confidence was placed an royal secrets were shared as a matter of course

Question 82

What are the two opinions of the reason for the Eltham ordinances?

Answer 82

1) - That the purpose of the ordinances was primarily financial as not only did several members of the privy-chamber lose their posts but many humble household servants suffered the same fate. 2) That it instead reflected Wolsey's fear that the amicable grant might make him so unpopular that he was in danger of losing his political influence over the King.

Question 83

In what ways did Henry and Cromwell attempt to pressurise the Pope?

Answer 83

1531 - Clergy collectively accused of praemunire and fined (began a sustained attack on the clergy and forced the king to acknowledge that the king was protector and supreme head of the English church so far as the law of Christ allowed) 1532 - Act in conditional Restraint of Annates - (designed to increase pressure on papacy by withholding the first years income from the office of bishop which the papacy had previously enjoyed) 1532 - HoC supplication against ordinaries (designed to increase anti-clerical pressure in HoC) 1532 - Formal submission of the clergy to Henry (provoked resignation of sir Thomas More as Lord Chancellor)

Question 84

What is are annates?

Answer 84

Revenue paid to the Pope by a bishop or other cleric on his appointment - effectively church taxes collected in England and sent to Rome - also known as 'first fruits'

Question 85

What does Supplication against the Ordinaries and submission of the clergy mean?

Answer 85

A supplication was a form of petition - in this case addressed to the King by the HoC and directed against alleged abuses of ordinary jurisdiction i.e. the jurisdiction exercised in church law by bishops and archbishops. Submission of clergy = formal surrender of the Church's independent law-making function

Question 86

When was the marriage annulled and what happened shortly after?

Answer 86

Annulled in May 1533 by Archbishop Cranmer Anne was crowned shortly afterwards, her child was born legitimate on 7th of September, however, it was a girl so succession problem not solved

Question 87

Why was the legal basis of the break from Rome strengthened through the act of succession in 1534?

Answer 87

It declared that Henry's marriage to Catherine was void The succession should be vested in the children of his marriage to Anne.

Question 88

What act of Cromwell and Henry's has been viewed as typically cynical?

Answer 88

Nov 1534 - The Act Annexing First Tenths to the Crown - the annates paid by a bishop which had been 'intolerable' when paid to the pope, became acceptable when paid to the King. Increased the financial burden on the clergy and strengthened the Royal Supremacy

Question 89

Why did Henry's relationship with Anne Boleyn break down and how?

Answer 89

Cromwell (insecure) felt his relationship with the King and his life were threatened - he allied with the conservatives (as Anne had been an advocate of church reform) and they persuaded Henry that Anne's flirting had let to adultery. Accused of adultery and incest (for wife of the monarch this constituted treason) - executed on 19th May 1536

Question 90

Why was the marriage to German, Protestant princess, Anne of Cleaves a failure?

Answer 90

It was an unhappy partnership - Anne proved unsuitable to Henry personally and the match had become unwelcome politically - it was quickly annulled, destroying what remained of Cromwell's credibility to the King

Question 91

What was Norfolk's role in Cromwell's downfall?

Answer 91

Norfolk again aided by having a niece (Catherine Howard) at court and free to wed the king. Cromwell accused of heresy and treason in a council meeting and executed 28th July 1540

Question 92

What was Henry's power like in his final years after the fall of Cromwell?

Answer 92

Some debate on the power wielded by the king - some see him as being firmly in control but seen by some historians as weak and prey to the factions which existed at court

Question 93

What was the final problem for Norfolk's power at the end of Henry's reign and what were the consequences for him?

Answer 93

Norfolk's rival (Edward Seymour) could play his trump card as the uncle of heir Edward. His son Henry Howard (Earl of Surrey) threatened the King's throne and was executed for treason

Question 94

What is the contrast in the view of Henry's overall success?

Answer 94

Either seen negatively as a bloated and unpredictable tyrant who destroyed much of what was positive about English life, or positively as the embodiment of English national identity and the person responsible for transformational and necessary change