TUDOR Theme A: Authority and Government Flashcards
How smooth was Henry VIII’s succession and why?
NOT smooth, as it changed three times with marriages.
What did the three succession acts during Henry VIII’s reign?
First succession act made Elizabeth heir, and Mary bastard (as her mother as Catherine of Aragon).
The second succession act of 1536 happened once HVIII was able to marry Jane Seymour and declared Elizabeth also illegitimate.
When Edward had been born, Henry made a third succession act which changed succession line to Edward and his sons Mary and her sons, Elizabeth.
How smooth was Edward VI’s succession?
Not really that smooth. He didn’t want to Mary as heir because she was Catholic and Elizabeth was the daughter of Anne Boleyn, and he couldn’t give it to Mary Queen of Scots because she was Scottish, so he gave it to Lady Jane Grey.
‘Devise for the Succession’
What was the Treason Act 1547?
Treason to change Act of Succession.
How did Henry VIII secure the Act of Succession?
Treason Act 1547, which made it treason to change Act of Succession.
How smooth was Mary I’s succession?
Smooth. Failed to produce an heir and so Elizabeth was heir as per 1554 third succession act.
How smooth was Elizabeth I’s succession?
Eh, quite unsmooth leading up to it but the actual thing was smooth.
She refused to talk about the issue in parliament, and she executed MQoS in 1587 for treason. However councillors refused not to talk about it, and favoured James Stuart of Scotland, who smoothly came to throne in 1603.
Discuss Henry VIII’s personal and political qualities and how this affected his reign.
Overshadowed by older brother Arthur- inadequacy which left him with a constant desire to prove himself.
His father Henry VII was not a hereditary monarch but just seized the throne after the battle of Bosworth, so Tudor dynasty still very new- explains his preoccupation with an heir as he wanted it to be strongly established and stable, and avoid the fate of Richard III.
Henry was very involved/in control of his government. Even on Royal Progress he kept in communication with London.
Started off educated, energetic, handsome, but as the years went on he became increasingly egotistical and morbid. He suffered increasing ill-health and became erratic and unpredictable.
Obsessed with honour- wanted to conquer more territory in France especially.
Discuss Edward VI’s personal and political qualities and how this affected his reign.
Minor-supposed to have a regency council but greedy individuals took more power than was intended in Henry’s will (i.e.) Somerset waged a successful war against Scotland, but this was financially damaging for England. Unpopularity is evident due to fall from power after 1549 rebellions.
Replaced by Northumberland who was alright actually, helped Edward with succession and encouraged him to be involved with policies.
Very intelligent and became involved in policies at the age of 15.
Seriously protestant, writing that the pope is the “son of the devil”
Discuss Mary I’s personal and political qualities and how this affected his reign.
Arguments with Edward VI about religion upset her greatly.
She was an angry woman after her childhood of being made illegitimate when Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn and being forbidden from seeing her own mother.
Edward VI had also tried hard to make sure she doesn’t succeed the throne as per the Third Act of Succession.
Therefore untrusting and placed her faith in Catholicism instead, and also meant she didn’t want other ruling for her.
This being said, she did recognise she needed to have advisers and they were from both Catholic and Protestant faiths.
Prefer Spanish and had been so close to her Spanish mother that she married Philip II.
Discuss Elizabeth I’s personal and political qualities and how this affected his reign.
As she was made on the backburner during childhood like Mary, she was cautious and did not want other ruling on her behalf. This explains her refusal to get married.
Quite relaxed when it came to religion- religious settlement was via media.
Hesitated when important decisions had to be made- made life extremely difficult for her councillors. Sometimes however it was very useful as it meant she was thoughtful and calculated.
What were the changes to the structure of government described by Elton?
- Government BY king changed—> government UNDER king- creation of privy council, bureaucratic.
- King AND parliament —> king IN parliament- parliament now makes laws about everything due to national sovereignty and sovereign parliament.
- Church AND state —> church IN state- Act of Supremacy 1534.
- A fragmented polity changed to a unitary state (one law across the land).
What does John Guy call Wolsey?
“most gifted administrator”
What did Wolsey do in his time as key adviser?
Nearly entirely of foreign policy and domestic policy.
Court of Star Chamber- merged powers of different courts into one (more fair and efficient).
Cases increased from 12/year under Henry to 120/year under Wolsey.
The Amicable Grant 1525
Progressive tax
What was Wolsey’s downfall due to?
Downfall occurred as he failed to get divorce for Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon. Died in 1530.
