The Rise of Thomas Cromwell Flashcards
Qualities of Cromwell:
Ambitious, well travelled, does what Henry wants, poor background.
How did he rise to power?
1/Member of Wolsey’s household
2/Member of Privy Council
3/Secretary to Henry VIII
Eventually became Lord Great Chamberlain
The Elton Thesis: Change to structure of government
1/ End to medieval gvt - reflects will of King but is central and based in London with difference between Royal Household and King’s Gvt.
The Elton Thesis: Changed to financial administration
1/ Restored authority to exchequer and made Chamber a small department handling Royal household.
2/ New systems for monastic incomes ie. Court of Augmentation and Court of the first fruit and tenth. (Own jurisdiction and power)
The Elton Thesis: Changes to role of Privy Council
1/ Housed principle ministers, included military, church, financial, legal and administrative laws.
2/ Rulings had force of law, could run country in royal illness or absence abroad.
3/ Dealt with day to day administration if King did not care ie. Henry.
Elton Thesis: Other changes
1/ New administration in Wales and North
2/ New efficient royal servants
3/ Involvement in imports and exports
What is the Elton Thesis?
1953 - Geoffrey Elton in ‘The Tudor Revolution in Government’ argued Cromwell changed nature of government in England and Wales amounting to a ‘revolution’.
Was it really a revolution?
Most historians disagree with entire thesis however government was very different in 1540’s.
Was it really a revolution?
Most historians disagree with entire thesis however government was very different in 1540’s.
What was Cromwell successful at?
Achieving exactly what his master wanted - often reversed policies not favoured by Henry.
Was it a political Revolution?
‘King and Parliament’ became ‘King in Parliament’ - the importance of it increased for legislating religious change.
Was it bureaucratic revolution?
1/ Emergence of privy Council as engine of government
2/ Role of Cromwell - Principle Secretary - as co-ordinating minister rather than Lord Chancellor.
3/ Development of specialised government such as financial court.
Still reflected the interests of the monarch and some specialisation had already taken place in medieval period and not all of Cromwell’s reforms were longterm.
