HVIII characteristics

Question 1

His character

Answer 1

-Succeeded the throne April 1509, 2 months before his 18th bday.
-Had 7 years to prepare to be king since the death of his brother prince arthur, was well educated, well read and introduced to humanist ideas
-Was like a ‘breath of fresh air’ after the influence of Empson and Dudley in the last few years of Henry VII’s reign
-Lacked exp in govt + public affairs, was uninterested
-Ruthless, insecure, impulsive

Question 2

His aims

Answer 2

-Establishing his status among European monarchs through his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, 11th June 1509: Henrys councillors believed his marriage to catherine would deflect him from political matters, enabling them to conduct conciliar business as usual.
-Re-establishing the nobility- HVIII had shared similar interests to the sons of the nobility, they had been just as enthusiastic to go to war with france: did not achieve the political domination they had hoped for.
-Foreign policy- Henry wanted to overthrow his fathers foreign policy legacy and achieve military glory through war with france. Large amounts of money spent, didnt actually achieve much, very little significance.
-Establish himself as a warrior king

Question 3

Legacy of Henry VII

Answer 3

-He had inheritred his fathers fourfold legacy
-Money- inherited £300000
-Unpopular mechanisms for extracting money
-A peaceful foreign policy
-Conciliar form of govt