Impact of Henry's Personality on Government Until 1529 Flashcards
How did Henry’s appearance change?
He went from ‘tall, attractive, muscular and well proportioned’ to a ‘fat, bloated, nearly blind man [who] had to be moved by a series of hoists’.
Why did Henry wish to break from the rule of his father?
His father’s last years had been characterised by meanness and severity and feared by many due to the harsh penalties he gave out.
How was Henry’s accession greeted?
With joy.
Thomas More: “end of our slavery, the fount of our liberty: the end of sadness and the beginning of joy’.
However, it was a literary convention to write about monarchs in glowing terms.
How did Henry demonstrate a break from his father’s rule?
- At first, he maintained many of his father’s policies and methods of government and retained some of his servants.
- But, He then arrested and executed Edmund Dudley and Sir Richard Empson - who were responsible for implementing harsh financial policies. This gained him dubious popularity.
- He married Catherine, who was essentially being held prisoner in England by his father, which resulted in Henry being seen as chivalrous.
What were the two public declarations of change that Henry made soon after he came to the throne?
- Arrested and later executed Edmund Dudley and Sir Richard Empson, the two men responsible for implementing his father’s harsh financial policies. This gained him dubious popularity.
- Announced that Catherine would be his wife. This would make him seem chivalrous by righting a wrong to a virtuous woman who behaved with dignity during the period after Arthur’s death. It also restored the Spanish alliance and provide Henry with the ally he needed to fulfill his aim of becoming a warrior king.
What two great stories had Henry been brought up on that made him hungry for war?
- Chivalrous tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
- The stories of his glorious predecessor, Henry V, and his victories in France, meaning that the title of ‘King of France’ was part of Henry’s inheritance.
Why was Henry’s aim of war and glory harder to achieve in reality?
- France was far stronger than in the early fifteenth century.
- His ministers were unsupportive and were skilled at inaction.
Summarise Henry’s failed expedition to France in 1512.
- Aim = take Aquitaine
- Army sent to Spain to prepare a coordinated campaign.
- Ferdinand used the presence of English troops as a distraction to the French and used the opportunity to seize lands in the Pyrenees.
- Army = short of supplies + unwelcome by locals —
Summarise Henry’s successful expedition to France in 1513.
- Focus invasion on area around Calais as it was owned by England and he would not be reliant on support from his allies.
- French realised that if they avoided a full battle then little damage could be inflicted.
- Henry took the unimportant town of Therouanne, which was handed to Maximilian who burnt it to the ground.
- He then took Tournai, which was an internationally recognised town.
- The Battle of the Spurs turned into a great propaganda victory, bolstered by the capture of French nobles.
Why was the Battle of Flodden a success for Henry?
- He was able to raise a second army simultaneously while in France.
- Over 10,000 Scots were killed, including King James IV.
- Henry’s sister, Margaret, acted as regent for her infant son, James V —> English queen on Scottish throne.
- Ended the Scottish threat for many years.
Why was the French expedition of 1513 a success?
- Tournai gave him international glory.
- Battle of the Spurs = propaganda victory
- The emperor served under Henry.
