Henry VIII Part I 1509-1530

Question 1

What was different about Wolsey’s background to most powerful individuals at the time?

Answer 1

He wasn’t born into a wealthy family, he was the son of a butcher and attended Oxford through scholarship. His rise to the top was very much through merit rather than heritage

Question 2

What was Wolsey appointed as in 1509?

Answer 2

Royal Almoner, giving left over food to the poor

Question 3

What was Wolsey entrusted with organising in 1512?

Answer 3

The following year’s expedition to France, including all the transport and supplies needed for a 30,000 man army

Question 4

How was Wolsey’s rise to the top influenced by Henry?

Answer 4

Henry noticed Wolsey as Royal Almoner and after he passed the test of organising a French expedition, Henry engineered his rise to high office

Question 5

What was Wolsey’s job by 1514?

Answer 5

He was dealing with all major business

Question 6

What ecclesiastical title did Wolsey gain in 1514?

Answer 6

He was made the Archbishop of York (2nd highest post in English church)

Question 7

What eccelesiastical titles had Wolsey got in 1515 and 1518 (Catholic)?

Answer 7

1515 - Made cardinal by the Pope

1518 - Appointed Papal Legate

Question 8

What role in Henry’s Government did Wolsey have in 1518?

Answer 8

Lord Chancellor

Question 9

Why was Wolsey especially powerful in the church?

Answer 9

He had hugely powerful and influential roles in both the English church and the Catholic one

Question 10

What would people mean when they called Wolsey an “alter rex”?

Answer 10

A second King, the fact that it was actually him that was ruling England just under Henry’s mask

Question 11

In what ways was Wolsey an “alter rex”?

Answer 11

He was trusted with all major business, at the forefront of foreign negotiations and Henry’s delegation was so significant that in reality Wolsey was running the country. Also his ecclesisastical roles meant that religiously he had the power of a King

Question 12

In what ways was Wolsey an “alter rex”?

Answer 12

He was trusted with all major business, at the forefront of foreign negotiations and Henry’s delegation was so significant that in reality Wolsey was running the country. Also his ecclesiastical roles meant that religiously he had the power of a King

Question 13

What does Wolsey’s rapid rise to power suggest about Henry’s style of governing?

Answer 13

Suggests Henry knew how much he hated kingship duties and would look for ways to avoid them. It also suggests that class was a less influential factor in becoming powerful under Henry. However, if he could trust people so quickly, he could just as easily turn on them

Question 14

What were some positive characteristics of Wolsey?

Answer 14

-He was immensely competent and intelligent
- He was hardworking (14 hour days)
- He was compassionate and tolerant

Question 15

How did Wolsey deal with the Duke of Buckingham?

Answer 15

The Duke was ordered to London, arrested and imprisoned in 1521. After he refused to plead for his life, he was tried for treason and beheaded. It may have been used as a deterrent from attacking Wolsey’s power

Question 16

What was Wolsey’s wealth like when he was Lord Chancellor?

Answer 16

Astronomically large. At times he would take in about a third of the crown’s finances, about 30,000 a year. He had multiple houses and over 500 servants

Question 17

How did Wolsey often intimidate his rivals as Lord Chancellor?

Answer 17

He had a vast network of informants

Question 18

Define meritocracy.

Answer 18

People who have worked up to power through merit

Question 19

Define Factionalism

Answer 19

Opposing groups within one institution who are trying to gain control of the institution

Question 20

Why did Henrys style of government allow factionalism to flourish?

Answer 20

He had a laid-back approach to governing that created a vacuum of power. He was also easily manipulated which meant the success of factionalism encouraged it more

Question 21

What was the Privy council?

Answer 21

Private Council. A group of Henry’s closest and most trusted advisors

Question 22

What was the Privy Chamber?

Answer 22

Henry’s space and private areas

Question 23

What were the Eltham Ordinances?

Answer 23

Proposals from Wolsey to reduce the number of Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, the one area he didnt have control

Question 24

What evidence is there to suggest that the Eltham Ordinances worked?

Answer 24

Wolsey secured the removal of the King’s Groom of the Stool and he was replaced with a more compliant one

Question 25

What was the Groom of the Stool?

Answer 25

Someone who is very close and intimate with the King (wipes his arse) and was with him at times no one else was

Question 26

Were the Eltham Ordinances financial or political?

Answer 26

We don’t know, probably both as Wolsey wanted to increase his influence over the King and manage his outrageous spending habits

Question 27

How much money is Henry VII believed to have left for his son?

Answer 27

£300,000

Question 28

What were the strengths that Henry VIII could inherit from his father

Answer 28

• Peace with foreign countries
• Dynasty established, with most dynastic threats quashed
• Nobles were in check and less of a threat

Question 29

What problems might have Henry VII left for his son?

Answer 29

Unpopularity, by the end of his reign the Council Learned and exploitative practices had made him hugely unpopular.
Also the fact that Arthur should have been King and H7 didn’t prepare H8 for day-to-day kingship didnt help

Question 30

Name 3 different interpretations of Henry VIII?

Answer 30

• The infant: someone who was easily manipulative and devastatingly aggressive
• The starter of a new monarchy and someone who laid the foundations for modern day government
• The “last medieval king” who ruled England for himself

Question 31

What were large turning points in Henry’s childhood?

Answer 31

• 1502 Arthur’s sudden death which meant that he became the next heir
• 1503 when his mother died who he was very close with. Just left with his father and sisters

Question 32

How was Henry VIII’s upbrining different to popular beliefe?

Answer 32

• He was very well educated and excelled at music, sport, education. He was what you wanted in a Renaissance prince

Question 33

Which part of Henry VIII’s upbrining makes his popular belief of heartlessness and ruthlessness seem unlikley?

Answer 33

Chivalric code dominated Henry’s childhood as he was taught how to behave in court and valiant deeds like jousting

Question 34

What early policies did Henry implemet which indicatde he would pursue a different reign compared to his father?

Answer 34

• Ordering the arrests of Empson and Dudley days into being King
• Early announcement to marry Catherine of Aragon

Question 35

Why hadn’t Henry VII made Henry VIII marry Catherine of Aragon?

Answer 35

He wanted to wait for when it would be diplomatically beneficial

Question 36

How might Henry VIII’s differences to becoming King led to different policies?

Answer 36

• Henry VIII became King aged 18, 10 years younger than his father
• Henry VIII was very interested in sports and arts unlike his father
• He knew he would be King since 1502 and was far more popular when he came to the throne than his father wwas

Question 37

What evidence is there for Henry VIII wanting to honour his mother?

Answer 37

He quickly initiated policies that favoured his mother’s relatives and seemed to have sympathies with Yorkists

Question 38

What were the main differences between H7 and H8 when it came to nobility?

Answer 38

H7 would keep them at arms length as a functional relationship, but to H8 they were his friends and he was less willing to take lots of money from them

Question 39

What was Henry VIII’s style of government like?

Answer 39

It was very personal and close-to-home. He made sure he could always see what was happening and largely ignored Parliament