Henry VIII: Wolsey's fall from power

Question 1

What are the factors in Wolsey’s fall from power

Answer 1

1. Foreign and Domestic policy failures
2. Failure to achieve annulment
3. Opposition from the nobility (Aragonese faction) and the Reformation Parliament

Question 2

Foreign and domestic policy failures

Answer 2

No success since 1520

Diplomatic revolution of 1525-1527 was a failure, the alliance with France put England on the losing side of the Hapsburg-Valois struggle

Isolated by the Peace of Cambrai

Amicable grant 1525 was a failure and damaged the reputation of Wolsey severely

1523 subsidy made the nobility despise Wolsey as it targeted the nobility

Question 3

Failure to achieve the King’s annulment

Answer 3

Wolsey’s hold on power relied solely on him serving the King and achieving his needs, when he could no longer do this - his downfall was inevitable

Wolsey’s scriptural arguments were undermined by the Deuteronomy

The court of Blackfriars failed when Catherine referred the case to Rome

Question 4

Role of the nobility

Answer 4

The Boleyn faction served an important part in the downfall of Wolsey

The duke of norfolk opposed Wolsey’s lowly origins and his influence over the King

Anne Boleyn opposed Wolsey because he had prevented her earlier betrothal to Henry Percy

Thomas Boleyn used the opportunity to increase his influence

Wolsey had no other supporters among factions within court

The aragonese faction opposed the annulment

Question 5

Role of the reformation parliament

Answer 5

Called in 1529 by Henry

3 anti-clerical laws to stop pluralism

• get rid of wolsey
• show the pope that parliament was behind him
• declare that parliament invalidated his marriage to catherine`

Question 6

When was Wolsey’s last success regarding foreign policy

Answer 6

1520 - Field of the Cloth of Gold

Question 7

What did the alliance with France in 1527 cause

Answer 7

England to be on the losing side of the Hapsburg-Valois struggle

Question 8

What was England isolated from in 1529

Answer 8

The Peace of Cambrai

Question 9

Who was the Treaty of Cambrai signed by

Answer 9

France, HRE and the Pope. Left england isolated

Question 10

What did Wolsey’s hold on power rely on

Answer 10

His ability to satisfy the king, when this could no longer be achieved his downfall was inevitable

Question 11

What undermined Wolsey’s scriptural arguments

Answer 11

Deuteronomy

Question 12

What failed when Catherine referred the case to rome

Answer 12

The court of Blackfriars

Question 13

What faction can be attributed to Wolsey’s downfall

Answer 13

The Boleyn faction

Question 14

Who opposed Wolsey’s lowly origins and influence over the king

Answer 14

The Duke of Norfolk (Thomas Howard)

Question 15

Why did Anne Boleyn oppose Wolsey

Answer 15

Because he had prevented her betrothal to Henry Percy

Question 16

What was the reformation called to do

Answer 16

Stop pluralism

1. Get rid of Wolsey
2. Show that parliament was behind him
3. Show parliament had sanctioned the invalidation of the marriage with Catherine