Wolsey, Catherine, the succession and annulment Flashcards
Why did Henry want an annulment by 1527
- Fallen in love with Anne Boleyn
- Catherine failed to supply a living son to be a heir. Just had Mary a daughter
Outline Wolsey’s negotiations with the Pope for Henry’s annulment
- As cardinal and Papal Legate, he should have had good relations with the Pope who would consequently grant the annulment
- Pope Said no because he was captures by Charles AND it would be embarrasing to admit a mistake (initially passing the marriage)
Attempts made at passing the annulment by Wolsey
Attempts made at passing the annulment by Wolsey
- Leviticus “No man should marry his brother’s wife”
- Technical fault in the original Papal decision
- Pressuring Catherine to become a nun
- persuading the pope to allow the decision to be made in England (meaning responsibility would fall to Papal Legate Wolsey)
Why each attempt failed:
Attempts made at passing the annulment by Wolsey
-Leviticus “No man should marry his brother’s wife”
/ Catherine supporters found verse in Deuteronomy which allows man to marry his brothers wife
/ Argument only worked if marriage was consummated (intercourse to solidify marriage). No proof it was
/ Embarrasing for Pope to admit mistake
-Technical fault in the original Papal decision
/Catherine supporters found a correctly worded Spanish version of the decision
-Pressuring Catherine to become a nun
/ Wolsey said that if someone attempted to kill Henry it would be her fault in attempt to make her give into pressure and become a nun. She stil
refused
-persuading the pope to allow the decision to be made in England (meaning responsibility would fall to Papal Legate Wolsey)
/ Compromise made where it would fall to Campeggio and Wolseyto rule England on the Pope’s behalf.
/ Cardinal Campeggio was told not to reach a final verdict on the annulment
/ Campeggio used delaying tactics and arrived in Engladn 1528
/ 1529: Campeggio broke up court for summer without reaching verdict
/ Campeggio was near end of his life and couldnt be pressured to hurry up
What advisor of Henry supported Catherine?
Who else
Thomas More (advisor)
Charles
The Public
Bishop of Rochester
Why did Catherine reject the annulment
- it would make Mary illegitimate
- married to henry for 20 years
- believed it was her god given duty to rule england
- she prepared to be queen since she was 5
- it would mean she was living as a royal mistress, which she didnt want as a devout catholic
When did Catherine speak up about the annulmenmt
Blackfriars trial 1529
Name given to the annulment of Henry VIII’s marriage
“Great matter”
What was the tipping point which lead Henry to exiling Wolsey?
His failrue to get an annulment by 1529
What happened to Wolsey after the exile?
He was exiled to York, losing all his powers and possessions. Died in 1530, a year after
What was Wolsey meant to be on trial for at 1530
praemunire
treason by loyalty to Pope over king
Key reasons for Wolseys downfall
- failure to gain annulment
- failrue with Amicable Grant
- Failure in his foreign policy against Charles V
- Influence of Boleyn family
What was the influence of the Boleyn family that helped lead to Wolseys exilation?
Claimed that Wolsey was deliberately sabotaging the annulment as he favoured catherine
Who sided with the Boleyn family?
Nobles who felt treated unfairly by Wolsey. Eg affected by Eltham ordinances
