Wolsey - rise Flashcards
How Wolsey rose to power:Luck // Opportunity // Wolsey himself
-prviously the almoner of Henry VII, Wolsey’s opportunistic and determined character allowed for him to elevate his social status from a butchers son –> kings right hand Alta rex. Used church as a vehicle for advancement.
Ultimately, Wolsey’s opportunistic character allowed for him to capitalise on opportunities given which were perhaps down to his luck.
P1 WOLSEY HIMSELF
- driven academic == manipulative and charismatic
- opportunist who took charge e.g. 1513 quarter master general
- despite power vacuum(dvisors retired or executed (epsom Dudley fox) Wolsey was the one to capitalise on it
- wolsey gained experience of gov from time working w/ bishop fox(infamous advisor to henryVII) – whereas experienced councillors attempted to manipulate Henry into following father policy - wolsey noted that headstrong king would not+won his favour
P2 -OPPORTUNITY
-1513 war – quarter master general –> offered a chance to stand out from other nobles –> opportunity on which wolsey capitalised
-young + naive Henry - wolsey w/ academic background offered to do administrative work
-seizes opportunity no else recognises- 1512 - richard fox chaplain tells henry pursue peace - NO WAR
→Wolsey agree w/ henry for war - opportunist
ULTIMATELY WOLSEY’S CHARACTER – he was only one to capitalise on opportunities offered
P3-LUCK
- power vacuum - opening for wolsey –> advisors retired or executed (epsom Dudley fox)
- henry’s desire for war - Henry could exploit
- CA- it was luck that wolsey got to power) HOWEVER - anyone could have capitalised on these opportunities but only wolsey took action
what was Wolsey’s nickname 2 reasons
secular
Henry VII’s chaplain - 1513 quarter master general
- 1514 henrys chief advisor
- 1515 PEAK - lord chancellor
what was Wolsey’s nickname 2 reasons
church
1518 papal legate
–> chaplain –> cardinal
