Henry VIII Part I 1509-1530 Flashcards
What was different about Wolsey’s background to most powerful individuals at the time?
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
What was Wolsey appointed as in 1509?
Royal Almoner, giving left over food to the poor
What was Wolsey entrusted with organising in 1512?
The following year’s expedition to France, including all the transport and supplies needed for a 30,000 man army
How was Wolsey’s rise to the top influenced by Henry?
Henry noticed Wolsey as Royal Almoner and after he passed the test of organising a French expedition, Henry engineered his rise to high office
What was Wolsey’s job by 1514?
He was dealing with all major business
What ecclesiastical title did Wolsey gain in 1514?
He was made the Archbishop of York (2nd highest post in English church)
What eccelesiastical titles had Wolsey got in 1515 and 1518 (Catholic)?
1515 - Made cardinal by the Pope
1518 - Appointed Papal Legate
What role in Henry’s Government did Wolsey have in 1518?
Lord Chancellor
Why was Wolsey especially powerful in the church?
He had hugely powerful and influential roles in both the English church and the Catholic one
What would people mean when they called Wolsey an “alter rex”?
A second King, the fact that it was actually him that was ruling England just under Henry’s mask
In what ways was Wolsey an “alter rex”?
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
In what ways was Wolsey an “alter rex”?
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
What does Wolsey’s rapid rise to power suggest about Henry’s style of governing?
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
What were some positive characteristics of Wolsey?
-He was immensely competent and intelligent
- He was hardworking (14 hour days)
- He was compassionate and tolerant
How did Wolsey deal with the Duke of Buckingham?
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
What was Wolsey’s wealth like when he was Lord Chancellor?
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
How did Wolsey often intimidate his rivals as Lord Chancellor?
He had a vast network of informants
Define meritocracy.
People who have worked up to power through merit
Define Factionalism
Opposing groups within one institution who are trying to gain control of the institution
Why did Henrys style of government allow factionalism to flourish?
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
What was the Privy council?
Private Council. A group of Henry’s closest and most trusted advisors
What was the Privy Chamber?
Henry’s space and private areas
What were the Eltham Ordinances?
Proposals from Wolsey to reduce the number of Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, the one area he didnt have control
What evidence is there to suggest that the Eltham Ordinances worked?
Wolsey secured the removal of the King’s Groom of the Stool and he was replaced with a more compliant one
What was the Groom of the Stool?
Someone who is very close and intimate with the King (wipes his arse) and was with him at times no one else was
Were the Eltham Ordinances financial or political?
We don’t know, probably both as Wolsey wanted to increase his influence over the King and manage his outrageous spending habits
How much money is Henry VII believed to have left for his son?
£300,000
What were the strengths that Henry VIII could inherit from his father
- Peace with foreign countries
- Dynasty established, with most dynastic threats quashed
- Nobles were in check and less of a threat
What problems might have Henry VII left for his son?
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
Name 3 different interpretations of Henry VIII?
- 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
What were large turning points in Henry’s childhood?
- 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
How was Henry VIII’s upbrining different to popular beliefe?
- He was very well educated and excelled at music, sport, education. He was what you wanted in a Renaissance prince
Which part of Henry VIII’s upbrining makes his popular belief of heartlessness and ruthlessness seem unlikley?
Chivalric code dominated Henry’s childhood as he was taught how to behave in court and valiant deeds like jousting
What early policies did Henry implemet which indicatde he would pursue a different reign compared to his father?
- Ordering the arrests of Empson and Dudley days into being King
- Early announcement to marry Catherine of Aragon
Why hadn’t Henry VII made Henry VIII marry Catherine of Aragon?
He wanted to wait for when it would be diplomatically beneficial
How might Henry VIII’s differences to becoming King led to different policies?
- 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
What evidence is there for Henry VIII wanting to honour his mother?
He quickly initiated policies that favoured his mother’s relatives and seemed to have sympathies with Yorkists
What were the main differences between H7 and H8 when it came to nobility?
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
What was Henry VIII’s style of government like?
It was very personal and close-to-home. He made sure he could always see what was happening and largely ignored Parliament
