Henry VIII's Character and Aims Flashcards

1
Q

What was Henry VIII’s character like?

A
  • no experience of government or public affairs
  • found the reading and writing of state papers tedious and painful
  • lacked work ethic
  • often suddenly contradicted government decisions
  • well read, affable, extroverted
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2
Q

How did Henry VIII’s government differ from his father’s?

A
  • there was a short term renewed emphasis on governing through council, which made two comebacks later on in his reign
  • during two periods he relied on the work of a chief minister (Wolsey and Cromwell)
  • the Council Learned in Law was abolished in 1510 and Empson and Dudley were arrested and executed - made him more popular amongst nobles as he removed the tax system they felt they were the victims of
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3
Q

What legacy did Henry VII leave for Henry VIII?

A
  • left him around £300,000 (however this was lost after Henry paid for war with France)
  • he was left unpopular after unpopular taxation systems
  • left a peaceful foreign policy
  • left a conciliar form of government (disappeared shortly as Wolsey rose)
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4
Q

What were Henry VIII’s early aims?

A
  • to establish his status amongst European monarchs through marriage
  • to re-establish the role of the nobility
  • to establish himself as a warrior King through success in battle
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5
Q

Why did Henry VIII re-establish the nobility?

A
  • Henry VII had frozen the nobility out of direct political influence - his peaceful foreign policy had denied them of their traditional outlet of pursuit of military glory
  • Henry VIII shared the tastes and dominant military culture of the aristocracy
  • However nobles didn’t achieve political domination in the end due to the rise of Wolsey
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