The Fall of Wolsey Flashcards
What was Wolsey’s downfall.
His failure to secure the annulment between Henry and Catherine of Aragon.
What did the Pope never grant?
Divorces, which is why Henry had to break from Rome.
What was the only way for Henry to achieve the annulment?
By taking over the Pope’s powers within his own kingdom and arrange the separation for himself.
Why did Henry want to divorce from Catherine?
-She failed to produce a son.
Henry firmly believed that a female could never rule England because if there was then England would be plunged into dynastic civil war, like what had happened in the Wars of the Roses.
Why was the annulment such an urgent necessity for Henry?
-Henry believed his marriage was cursed.
- Anne Boleyn promised Henry an heir.
- Anne Boleyn refused to accept the King’s sexual advances until they were married.
- Henry recognised that a son born to Anne out of wedlock would likely have a contested claim to succeed him.
What did Henry claim his doubts about the validity of his marriage stemmed from?
-An Old Testament text of the Bible = “If a man shall take his brother’s wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother’s nakedness; they shall be without children.”
-This made Henry believe that his lack of surviving legitimate male children was God’s punishment for marrying in defiance of divine law as Catherine was Prince Arthur’s widow.
Why did Henry become frustrated with Wolsey during the process of negotiations with Rome?
-The Pope had been deliberately delaying the negotiations for months.
-He was also encouraged by Anne Boleyn and her allies at court.
What did Henry push Wolsey to do?
To pursue a more aggressive policy with the Pope.
How long did it take for the Legatine Court to finally meet at Blackfriars in May 1529?
7 months.
What happened when Wolsey attempted to speed up the process?
It antagonised Campeggio, who responded by further delaying the legal procedure.
What did Wolsey resort to?
Blackmail and bribery, which were resisted by the cardinal protector -cardinal appointed to speak for and defend the rights of the church in a particular country at Rome.
What happened by the time the case opened on the 31st May?
Henry not only distrusted Campeggio, but lost faith in Wolsey.
Why was it significant that Catherine was the aunt of Charles V of Spain?
-Charles would never accept the humiliation of a family member.
-In 1527, Charles sacked Rome and had Pope Clement at his mercy.
What undermined Wolsey?
The growing influence of the Boleyn faction at Court, that also put pressure on the king.
What did Wolsey promise Henry?
The annulment would be a matter easily resolved because of his influence with the papacy. The failure of this promise led to disappointment, which lost Wolsey the king’s favour and support.
