Henry VIII's Government & Parliament

Question 1

Before the 1530s, what was Henry’s view of the role of Parliament?

Answer 1

Before the 1530s, there was little to suggest that Henry’s view of the role of Parliament differed from his father.
Two main functions:
- To pass laws
- Grant extraordinary revenue

Question 2

Why did Henry want to abandon the conciliar form of government?

Answer 2

• Henry disenchanted by the reluctance of some of his fathers councillors to support his ideas of an aggressive foreign policy (his war with France).
• Henry wanted to completely control decision making.
• Henry surrounded himself with like-minded young courtiers, who reinforced his dislike for his father’s councillors.
• He was impressed by the organisation skills of Wolsey.

Question 3

When Wolsey came to power in 1514, what were his main concerns?

Answer 3

The Legal System

The formulation of Domestic Policy

Political Decision making

Question 4

Why did Wolsey want to reform the Privy Chamber in 1519?

Answer 4

Before 1519, the Privy Chamber lay outside Wolsey’s control.

He disliked the Henry’s Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, as he did not like their transformed status.

The Gentlemen distrusted Wolsey (they knew that he wanted to neutralise their influence).

Question 5

What was the Court of Chancery?

Answer 5

The main court of equality across the kingdom.

Wolsey tried to use the court to uphold ‘fair justice.’

The court was very popular and justice was slow.

Used the court to deal with issues like:

• Enclosures
• Contracts
• Land left to others in wills

Question 6

What was the Star Chamber?

Answer 6

Established by an act of Parliament in 1487, as an offshoot for Henry VII’s council.

Under Wolsey the Chamber became the centre for gov. and cheap/fair justice. He extended its role in 1516.

Question 7

What was the Tudor Subsidy of 1523?

Answer 7

Tax payers, including the nobility would provide extraordinary revenue when required. This was effectively achieved by raising subsidies.

This was used to fund Henry’s war with France in 1522. The amount was still insufficient.

Question 8

What was the Amicable Grant of 1525?

Answer 8

Another attempt by Wolsey to raise money for war. Led to widespread resistance, almost causing a rebellion.

Designed to be a freely given gift from his subjects to Henry, but in reality it was a heavy tax, proposed without Parliaments approval.

Question 9

Why were the Eltham Ordinances of 1526 introduced?

Answer 9

Created by Wolsey in order to reform the finances of the Privy Council.

Attempt to reduce household expenditure. Wolsey secured a reduction in the number of Gentlemen in the Privy Chamber.

Question 10

What caused Wolsey’s downfall in 1529?

Answer 10

Wolsey was unable to secure Henry’s annulment and fix ‘the Great Matter.’

Question 11

When did Thomas Cromwell become Henry VIII’s chief minister?

Answer 11

1532

Question 12

When did the Break with Rome occur and who suggested it?

Answer 12

The Break from Rome occurred in 1533, and it was suggested by Cromwell, in order to secure Henry’s divorce from Catherine.

Question 13

When did Henry VIII marry Anne Boleyn?

Answer 13

25 January 1533

Question 14

What was the Act in Restraint of Appeals, and when did it occur?

Answer 14

(April 1533) - The act declared that the monarch possessed an imperial jurisdiction which was not subject to any foreign power.

The act meant that Catherine could no longer appeal to Rome against her marriage annulment.

Question 15

Which act of Parliament declared that Henry’s marriage to Catherine was void?

Answer 15

The Act of Succession (April 1534)

Question 16

What was the Act of Supremacy and when was it introduced?

Answer 16

(November 1534) - gave legislative force to the royal supremacy. Put Henry as the head of Church, and effectively accomplished the Break with Rome.

Question 17

Why was the Treason Act of 1534 so significant?

Answer 17

Treason could be committed by spoken word as well as by deed or by writing.

Question 18

What was the Act Annexing First Fruits and Tenths to the Crown and when did it occur?

Answer 18

(November 1534) - The Annates paid by a by a bishop were now paid to the King instead of the Pope.

Question 19

When was the dissolution of the monasteries completed?

Answer 19

1542

Question 20

When was Anne Boleyn executed?

Answer 20

19 May 1536

Question 21

What was the 1540 League of Schmalkladen?

Answer 21

The arranged marriage between Henry and a German Protestant Princess Anne of Cleves.

Question 22

Why is the date 28 July 1540 significant?

Answer 22

This was the day Thomas Cromwell was executed for treason.

This was the day Henry VIII married Catherine Howard.

Question 23

The fall of Cromwell led to what form of government?

Answer 23

The fall of Cromwell led to a conciliar form of government being restored.

Saw the emergence of a Privy Council with fixed membership. Power lay with the Conservatives in the council, such as Norfolk and Gardiner.

Question 24

How did Catherine Howard’s execution affect Norfolk, and why?

Answer 24

Norfolk was Catherine’s uncle and from the Howard family.

Catherine was also a Catholic, like Norfolk, so when she was executed and Henry married the Protestant Katherine Parr, it wounded his high position.

Question 25

When did Henry VIII die, and how did this affect Katherine Parr and Norfolk?

Answer 25

Henry died on 28 January 1547.

The dying king consented to both Katherine and Norfolk’s executions, but they were both spared due to his death.