Monarchy and Government - Principal servants of the Crown Flashcards
What was the role of leading ministers ?
They were controlled by Henry and essentially did his bidding.
Who was Wolsey? (Background info)
Son of a butcher who embarked on a career into the Church and came from a poor background.
What position was Wolsey and what years was he at his strongest position?
Was Lord chancellor from 1515-1529
What were Wolsey’s successes?(5)
- Great organisation allowed Henry to afford war abroad (HENCE his promotion from cardinal to Lord Chancellor)
- Tried to improve administration of justice by prosecuting corrupt star chamber officials
- Used star chamber to encourage ordinary people to seek justice
- Launched international enquiry in 1517-18 to investigate illegal enclosure
- coordinated war with France
What were Wolsey’s failures?(4)
- Too ambitious and was equal in wealth with Henry
- In 1523 he failed - Amicable grant and Henry blamed him - Sparked his downfall
- Failed to secure annulment with of Henry’s marriage to Catherine.
- Abused power to prosecute personal feuds
How did Wolsey increase royal power?
He centralised the power, legally and financially.
How did Wolsey fall from power?
Amicable grant was blamed on him. Failed to annul marriage with Catherine. By 1529 outlived usefulness to King and was banished from court.
Who was Cromwell? (Background info)
Born in London, Self taught everything and left to join French army where he learnt law and accountancy
What position was Cromwell in the government?
Was Chief minister
What were cromwells successes? (List 3)
- Broke from Rome (Gave power from Church to Crown so land so increased Royal Power)
- Managed to Annul marriage to catherine
- Crushed Royalist armies in the English civil war
What were cromwells failures? (List 2)
Arranged marriage to Anne of Cleves who Henry disliked a lot and blamed on Cromwell.
- Was too radical in religious reform towards the end.
How did Cromwell increase Royal power?
Helped spark transition from ‘king and parliament’ to ‘king in parliament’
- break from rome power from Church to Crown
How did Cromwell fall?( what year) and why?
Fell from power in 1540
arranged marriage to Anne of Cleves
accusation that he had been protecting protestants who were accused of heresy also brought his downfall.
Who was Cecil?
Went into power in 1558 and was able to stay in power until his death in 1598. Came from higher background than Wolsey and Cromwell.
What was Cecil’s role in government?
He was dominant in government throughout his time, and was a committed Protestant.
Was active and was Lord Treasurer became this in 1572, before this he was in government and served duke of somerset.
