Quest for Divorce Flashcards
1
Q
Why did Henry want divorce?
A
- Besotted with Anne Boleyn
- Anne made it clear she wouldn’t be his mistress
- Wanted a legitimate male heir
2
Q
What did the Scriptural arguments argue?
A
- If Catherine of Aragon and Prince Arthur’s marriage had been consummated, Henry’s marriage to C had never been valid
- Old Testament said is a man marries brother’s wife, he shall never had child
- H blamed this for his lack of a legitimate male heir
- Wolsey confident he could persuade Pope to agree to annulment
3
Q
How did Wolsey use diplomatic manoeuvres to obtain a divorce?
A
- Attack against Charles V (C’s nephew so unlikely he would support divorce)
- Charles in control in Italy = inconvenient for H
- Wolsey tried alliance with France, and renewal of warfare in Italy to distract Emperor to free Pope from Charles’ influence
- Policy failed as Charles too strongly entrenched in Italian peninsula to be evicted by France
4
Q
How did Wolsey use legal efforts to obtain a divorce?
A
- Side-step problem of Charles and Pope by conducting divorce hearings in England
- Wolsey could make judgement as Papal Legate
5
Q
What was Campeggio’s role in the divorce?
A
- Movement of divorce hearings to England
- Pope didn’t want to offend Charles
- Pope sent Cardinal Campeggio to England to delay hearing and ensure decision not reached
- Campeggio unwell and took months to arrive
- Campeggio wanted to do everything thoroughly = very slow
