Henry VIII : government change vs continuity Flashcards
most signficnact change in Henrys govt?
the role of the nobility
- undermined by normal people appointed of Woolsey (1515) and Cromwell after Woolsey death (1530)
- Woolsey as lord chancellor, close relation with Henry, partner rather than servant
- Cromwell as chief minister, influential role with the break of Rome
➡️ revolutionary change, Henry more susceptible to higher powers
- H could be more powerful
another signficnact change in Henrys govt? (2)
structural change
- councillor govt broke down in 1514 (impulsive H vs councillors) + brought to an end by Cromwell
- privy council ruled govt but councillor govt came back in 1540 (no calibre of Cromwell or Woolsey)
- break with Rome by sir Thomas Moore (satis coripsa to justify divorce)
- independent nation established (no area of govt outside its control, Rome no longer authority of the church)
➡️sovereign state established which removed all external authority putting H at the centre of govt (no other monarch had been)
- authority > succession + church previously beyond its control
another signficnact change in Henrys govt? (3)
Henry’s involvement and attitude
- originally held all power (forefront) but let others do mundane tasks
- undoubted right to control decision making as became more attuned
- surrounded with like minded couriers to reinforce suspicion of the ‘old guard’
- impressed by Woolsey’s successful campaign against France who then came to influence H
- Henry lost power that he once held in govt, factionalism in the govt generally (due to absence + ill health)
how did the role of parliament change?
- Woolsey reluctant to use (❗️ before 1429 called 4 times)
- Cromwell used extensively, exploited its legislative possibilities
- reformation parliament (1529- 1536) fundamentally changed nature of English parliament (summoned to settle his great matter)
- 1533 onwards Cromwell passed many acts to ensure break with Rome and legislative authority eg ❗️ Act of Restraint of Appeals + Act of succession
After death of Wolsey parliament’s role grew in significance due to Henry’s great matter which needed legislative agreement, broader link to foreign policy.
most significant continuity?
nobles still exercised considerable power
- privy council still gained priority during H’s reign, important figures of William Crompton and Henry Norris (but 1519 Woolsey secured removal of some members, they were allowed back in)
- privy chamber also remained with prestige and influence (Woolsey couldn’t control)
- local councils giving regional power and authority eg council of the North H delegated power to nobles to ensure peace
- privy council remained significant base of power despite Woolsey and Cromwell
another significant continuity ? (2)
return of the councillor approach
- present at beginning of the reign (1509-1514), inherited from father (incl Lovell and Bishop Richard Fox
- H became annoyed at lack of (senior)support for French war + became attuned
- impressed by woolsey who was bale to raise £322,000 in subsidies and £240,000 in clerical tax
- after Cromwells fail in 1540 councillor govt returned n a new form as a new privy council emerged with fixed memberships and recorded proceedings
- no choice but to restore traditional method of govt 🔔concillar govt played vital role in Henry’s govt
➡️ Return to councillor approach implies that drastic changes were not always successful , therefore argue that not fundamental change
another significant change to govt? (3)
parliament still dependent on the king
- although power extended during Henry’s reign it was still dependent on him
- parliament could not sit without being called by Henry
- Henry could still rule by proclamation (declaration he has said)
conclusion for change vs continuity?
More notable change than continuity, due to the break with Rome and the powerful chief minister which created fundamental change to how the government operated. Groundwork for a significant transformation was laid, offering a preview of modern government.
