'Henry VIII's actions as king destroyed Henry VII's legacy.' Assess the validity of this view.

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

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Question 2

Para 1: Financial Solvency

Answer 2

• H8 inherited a solvent crown and a fortune of roughly £300,000 from his father.
• By 1514 Henry had spent his fortune and seemed to be bankrupt.
• 1513 Battle of Spurs (France): successful campaign for Henry as he captured the towns of Therouanne and Tournai, but Henry eventually had to sell Tournai back to France for less than the English had paid to repair its defences after the siege. Also French pension was lost.
• 1513 Battle of Flodden (Scotland): successful campaign as James IV killed in battle along with many of the nobility, leaving the throne to the infant James V. Henry did nothing to build on this advantage as did not have the funds.
• The wars were very costly and Henry had to liquidate assets inherited from Henry VII to pay for it.
• Invaded France in 1544. Francis sent troops to Scotland to reinforce possible invasion of England from the Scottish border. Separate French force landed at the Isle of Wight. However neither side could afford to continue the conflict so peace agreed in 1546 - evidence that by the end of Henry’s reign he was bankrupt, unlike Henry VIII who left a fortune of £300,000.

Question 3

Para 2: stable foreign policy

Answer 3

• H7 had a largely stable foreign policy: defensive one as to not get involved in major wars, Henry would use treaties and alliances to maintain good relations with foreign powers.
• H8 had an offensive foreign policy due to his desire to be a ‘warrior king’.
• Henry’s councillors negotiated the renewal of the Treaty of Etaples in 1510, but Henry then entered an anti-French alliance, the Holy League, with Spain, the HRE and the Papacy. In 1512, Henry allied with Ferdinand of Aragon to invade France. Henry’s invasion failed because Ferdinand was using Henry’s campaign as a diversionary tactic so he could capture Navarre.
• Allied w/ Spain in the Habsburg-Valois wars, despite having good relations with France after the 1520 Field of Cloth and Gold, Henry wanted to gain territory in France. 1521 Treaty of Bruges agreed on War with France and the marriage alliance of Charles and Princess Mary. Henry showed a lack of strategic awareness by suggesting they launch a joint invasion of northern France - Charles refused and repudiated the marriage contract.
• Due to Henry’s Break with Rome, France and Spain signed the 1538 Treaty of Nice which agreed to sever ties with England.
• Chose to invade France in 1544 as focused on establishing himself as a warrior king and achieving military glory in France. Threat of invasion from Scottish border and Isle of Wight, only ended because neither side could afford to continue the conflict.
• On the other hand, the Tudor dynasty was never threatened and the transition to Edward was not challenged internationally, so did not destroy Henry’s legacy of the Tudor dynasty. Also had successful campaigns in Scotland (1542 Battle of Solway Moss) which reduced the threat from the Scottish border.

Question 4

Para 3: Government

Answer 4

H8 ended the conciliar approach to government in 1514, as he disagreed with his councillors on the war with France, and also wanted to surround himself with young courtiers. Became impressed with the organisational skills of Wolsey. HOWEVER the conciliar style of government was restored in 1540.
- The Court of Star Chamber had been established in 1487, under H7, but under Wolsey it became the centre of government and justice.
- Reforms to the Privy Council: An inner ring of councillors who surrounded H8 at court formalised by Cromwell into an emergency Privy Council after the Pilgrimage of Grace, and a formal Privy Council w/ fixed membership by 1540.
- No. of members reduced to 19, and its reform meant the royal gov had a more permanent and centralised administration centered on the Privy Council.
- Marked a significant shift in the development of royal gov away from the personal nature of government under H7. Under H7, the Privy Chamber had been established which had changed the character of court as it made it harder for those who were out of favour to regain the King’s support.
- It’s status was confirmed by the use of the Privy Council in Henry VIII’s will to govern during the minority rule of Edward. Had full power and authority in theory.

Question 5

Conclusion: