Why Wolsey was able to rise to power by 1514

Question 1

Name the three main factors (and subsections) that allowed Wolsey to rise to power by 1514

Answer 1

1. Luck/ timing
2. Personality
   
   1. Talented - Hard working - Charismatic
3. Loyal to the King
   
   1. Flexible in his beliefs

Question 2

What role did luck/ timing have in Wolsey’s rise to power?

Answer 2

• King more interested in kingly pursuits than running country - more power up for grabs
• Henry displeased with tentative policies of his father’s advisors - wanted fresh, hard working, talented men he could trust
  
  • e.g. Fox’s entorage
• Many of Henry VII’s old advisors removed _^(Dudley) or wanted political retirement _{^{(Warham and Fox)}}
  
  • Left a POWER VACUUM

Question 3

Evaluate the importance of luck/timing in Wolsey’s rise to power

?/10

Answer 3

As the son of an Ipswich butcher would previously not have his titles, wealth, and close relationship with the king that were reserved for nobility

Evidenced in how he was Henry VII’s chaplain and later Dean of Lincoln, but could not rise further

9/10

Question 4

What role did Wolsey’s personality have in his rise to power?

Answer 4

Incredibly talented _{^{(Oxford degree at 15)}} helped him to:

• 1513 French Expedtion - Overcame both logistical obstacles of in supplying the army and the obstacle of oppostion from those in authority (igorned their rights)
  
  • Given more responsibility

Hard working

• Appealed to Henry as wanted to hand over day-to-day running of kingdom so he could pursue Kingly activities
• Worked faster than the more laid-back court
  
  • Impressed Henry
    
    • Given more responsitilibty

Charisma

• Great flatterer
• Could sometimes ‘manipulate’ king by bringing him presents before proposing a policy
• Deepened bond between himself and King - walked arm-in-arm
  
  • Helped elevate his position

Question 5

Evaluate the importance of personality in Wolsey’s rise to power

?/10

Answer 5

• Impressedand charmed King, gaining more responsibility an denhancing his position
• By the middle of 1514 Henry was referring nearly all matters of business ot Wolsey
• 1515 Lord Chancellor and a cardinal

BUT

• Still situation dependent - despite diligence and charm would have been unable to access this degress of power had Henry not ignored his low birth

7/10

Question 6

What role did Woldey’s flexibility/ loyalty to the King have in his rise to power?

Answer 6

• Changed from Fox’s anti-war entorage when realised peace would not gain king’s favour
  
  • Gave the king the advice he wanted to hear ^{_{(that his court was reluctant to give him)}}
    
    • Rewarded with organisational tasks he could ‘wow’ Henry with
• Ignoring the rights of his opponents with greater status when organising 1513 French expedition caused complaints which reifnorced Wolsey’s value to the King
  
  • Saw Wldey as a man who could remove obsactles and carry out his wishes
    
    • Wanted to hand over responsibilities to someone who was loyal to the King

Question 7

Evaluate the importance of personality in Wolsey’s rise to power

?/10

Answer 7

Won King’s favour as told him what he wanted to hear, thus putting himself ahead of opposition; Henry disliked cautious, conservative councillors

Link to situation - could more easily manipulate it because of Henry’s fixation with war and the councillors reluctance to aid him

8/10

Question 8

List the factors in order of their relative importance to Wolsey’s ascension

Why?

Answer 8

1. Luck/ timing
2. Loyalty/ flexibility
3. Personality

Flexibility and personality both link to luck of the situation