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
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
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)
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
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