Structure of the Government and Wolseys Role Flashcards
Key Dates in Wolsey’s Life?
1473 - Born in Ipswich 1498 - Ordained as Priest 1502 - Chaplain to Archbishop Dean of Canterbury 1507 - Appointed chaplain to Henry VII 1510 - Appointed Royal Councillor 1514 - Appointed Archbishop of York 1515 - Appointed Lord Chancellor 1518 - Appointed Legate a Latere 1530 - Dies at Leicester Abbey
How did Wolsey rise to power under Henry VIII?
Mixture of luck of skill -
Gained first degree at 15 in Oxford
Then Chaplain for Arch of Canterbury - then served Bishop Foxe of Winchester
Then became Royal Almoner - close relations with king = what he needed - he showed skill and efficiency when Henry was playing sport
Became LC and Cardinal
What is the argument that Wolsey’s rise to power was all luck?
Right man at the right time
Henry was tired of his fathers inner circle, so Wolsey came along and had the same interests as Henry
What is the argument that Wolsey’s rise to power was his skill?
Undoubtedly Wolsey was very good at his job, he got all the things he needed to get done, done efficiently, meaning that Henry could relax
How did Wolsey maintain power between 1515-1529?
His political relationship with Henry VIII
Wealth
Ruthlessness
Explain Wolsey’s political relationship with Henry VIII?
Gained trust from the King early on
Success of French invasion
Considered as the Alter Rex = the second king
More of a political partnership
State some examples of disagreements between Wolsey and Henry?
1522 - when Wolsey proposed surprise attack of French Navy, which Henry thought of as foolish
1528 - they fell out over the appointment of an abbess at Wilton - Wolsey ignored Henry’s choice
What was the Amicable Grant Crisis?
In 1525, Wolsey attempted to raise the non-parliamentary tax to help fund Henry’s war - came on top of the loans of 1522 and the subsidy of 1523 - caused serious rebellion in Suffolk and East Anglia
Explain Wolsey’s wealth?
He was of low birth (butchers son) which caused resentment within the nobility
He had 500 staff at Hampton Court the same as Henry’s
Where did Wolsey get his gain his wealth?
Multiple bishoprics at York, Tournai, Bath, Wells, Durham and Winchester contributed to around half of his income + became abbot of St Albans in1525 (richest monastery in the world)
Large amount also came from the charges he made on the ecclesiastical courts and monetary gifts from clients and patrons
He built Cardinal College, Oxford and many other places like Hampton Court enhanced his position as a very powerful man
Why was Wolsey considered ruthless?
He made the nobles envious of his position, this statement is much exaggerated
He and Henry did decide on policies before bringing to council - annoyed the nobles
He did isolate nobles as he saw them as competition
Explain the suspicious execution of Buckingham in 1521?
Edward Stafford = 3rd Duke of Buckingham - executed in1521 for treason
Descendent from Edward III’s youngest son
He supposedly made a threat to kill Henry like his father did with Richard III, charge was brought against him in 1521 after Buckingham had sought a license to go to Wales with 400 men
He was tried and executed in 1521 as Henry saw him as a threat - he only had Mary as a succession
What is G.R Elton’s view of Wolsey?
“disappointing man” and he then goes on to write “all of his doings were attended by folly arrogance, false aims and final failure”
What is Scarisbrick’s view of Wolsey?
“has had terrible judgement passed against him for having squandered power that was greedily amassed, for having mishandled, violated, corrupted or neglected most of what was in his charge”
What is Dickens view of Wolsey?
“Wolsey’s personal arrogance, his enormous wealth and splendid ostentation were resented”
