The Rise of Wolsey and his policies Flashcards
What was Wolseys background like?
Born to a butcher in Ipswich. Studied at Oxford and trained to become a priest
What position did Wolsey gain in 1509?
Royal Almoner, giving charity to the poor on Henry VIII behalf.
This made him a part of the Royal council.
What was Wolsey’s “big break” in 1912
He organised an well-supplied, well-equipped army in 1 year for an invasion against the French.
What was the result of Wolsey successfully supplying an army in 1512?
Henry was impressed and made Wolsey Lord chancellor in 1515, making him the Chief Minister
What positions did Wolsey gain in 1515 in the Church?
Archbishop of York and a cardinal
What position did Wolsey gain in 1518 in the Church?
Papal Legate
What was the name given to Wolsey’s position as the “second king”
Alter Rex
What was Wolsey’s payment and assets?
He owned Hampton Court Palace
£3000 a year, 500 servants
-equal to size to Henry’s royal household
What was the star chamber?
Court set up to give out royal justice to all levels of society, not just the rich
How did courts work increase as a result of the star chamber?
from 12 to 120 cases a year. Many of which Wolsey oversaw himself
Give an example of a successful star chamber case
Earl of Northumberland was imprisoned in 1516 for breaking the law
How did the star chamber and Wolsey secure a fairer justice system?
- Wolsey encouraged the poor to bring their cases to court
- Wolsey would support their cases
- made reasons for his decisions public
What was the main complaint about the star chamber?
Some felt the main reason for this court was to get revenge on the upper class who had treated him badly because of his huuumble origins
Give an example of Wolsey abusing the power of the Star Court
Forced Sir Paulet to come to court every day for 5 years or risk losing his house because Wolsey felt humiliated when paulet placed him in the stocks (boards around ankles and wrists)
What was enclosure?
When landlords fenced off land used by the poor for growing food or grazing animals
What did Wolsey do to combat enclosure in 1517?
brought 260 cases to court
Why was Wolsey’s attempt at stopping enclosure unsuccessful?
1523 - wealthy landowners protested against what Wolsey was doing
Why was subsidy introduced
- Henry’s current income of £110.000 could not fund his wars
- fifteenth and tenths system was outdated by 200 years (figures calculated 200 years ago)
What was the fifteenths and tenths system?
People living in countryside had to pay tax worth 1/15th of their moveable goods
People living in towns and cities had to pay tax worth 1/10th of their moveable goods
What were subsidies
Tax based on a person’s income
What were subsidies
Tax based on a person’s income
How did money made from subsidies compare to money made from fifteenths and tenths?
Subsidies: 1513-16 - raised 160,000
Fifteenths and tenths: 1513-16 - raised 90,000
What were the limitations of the subsidies?
- Still not enough to fund Henry’s wars (Spent £1.4 million between 1511-21)
- unpopular
When were the Eltham ordinances introduced?
1526
How did the Eltham ordinances improve Henry’s court?
- removed unnecessary jobs and fired sick workers
- reduced spendings by cutting people’s expenses and having fixed meal times
- banning dogs
How long were the Eltham ordinances?
79 chapters
How did Wolsey manipulate the Eltham ordinances for his gain?
- Removed his political opponents by halving the privy chamber from 12 to 6 members.
- After doing this, he stopped enforcing the Eltham ordinances
Reasons for the Amicable grant?
1525 Amicable Grant
Reason is to get funding for Henrys attempt to take advantage of France’s defeat in 1525 and invading them while they were vulnerable.
How did Wolsey go around introducing the Amicable Grant?
Avoided getting permission from parliament, as it was likely to be declined and Wolsey only had 10 weeks to make the money.
What was terms of the Amicable Grant?
the tax demanded 1/3 the income of priests and 1/6 the income of everyone else
What was the response to the Amicable Grant?
People refused to pay
Protests
What was the main protest against the Amicable Grant?
1525 Suffolk rebellion: 10,000 men protested
Duke of Norfolk and Duke of Suffolk had to negotiate for the protesters to surrender
Why was the 1525 Suffolk Rebellion significant?
It was the first rebellion under Henry VIIIs reign
How did the response to the Amicable grant affect Wolsey?
- Henry claimed to be unaware of the tax and blamed Wolsey
- Henry started to doubt Wolsey (beginning of Wolseys downfall)
- No taxation attempted by Wolsey again
- Wolsey unpopularity increased
- Henry abandoned attempt of war with France, sought peace instead
- Suffolk protestors pardoned
