Wolsey's and Henry VIII Domestic Policy Flashcards
What was the failure of the annulment regarding Henry’s control over the church?
It meant that Henry’s control over the wider church was limited
The annulment’s failure restricted Henry’s influence, impacting his authority over ecclesiastical matters.
What were Wolsey’s aims regarding the church?
Strengthening Henry’s power over the church and increasing support for royal supremacy
Wolsey sought to consolidate royal authority and diminish papal influence.
Was Wolsey successful in strengthening Henry’s power over the church?
To a large extent
Wolsey’s elevation to cardinal and papal legate gave Henry significant control over the church.
What action did Wolsey take in 1515 regarding clergy benefits?
He compromised with Rome to stop people claiming holy orders without being ordained
This action was part of efforts to limit the benefit of the clergy.
What was the significance of Wolsey being made papal legate in 1524?
It removed the possibility that the church would appeal over Henry’s head to the pope
This position solidified Henry’s authority over ecclesiastical matters.
What did Wolsey do to counteract Lutheranism?
Burned Lutheran books in St Paul’s courtyard and wrote ‘Assertio Septem Sacramentorum’
This defense of Catholic sacraments earned Henry the title ‘Fidei Defensor’.
What were the Eltham Ordinances aimed at?
Monitoring spending and reducing the influence of the Privy Chamber
They were also driven by political motivations rather than genuine reforms.
What was the short-term impact of the enquiry into enclosures organized by Wolsey in 1517?
It resulted in 260 criminal cases against landowners
This was significant for Tudor times, indicating Wolsey’s attack on wealthy landowners.
What was Henry’s annual income during his reign?
£110,000
This income was derived from taxes and special grants from Parliament.
What financial reforms did Wolsey implement?
Recovering Crown lands, subsidies, forced loans, clerical taxation
These reforms aimed to increase revenue for the Crown.
What were the positive impacts of Wolsey’s financial reforms?
Raised a lot of money for the Crown; recovering Crown lands raised £15,000 in 1515
Subsidies earned £170,000 between 1513 and 1516.
What were the negative impacts of Wolsey’s financial reforms?
Taxes did not raise enough money to fund Henry’s wars; increased unpopularity due to higher taxes
The reforms were unpopular among the populace.
What was Wolsey’s view of Parliament?
He did not like Parliament and called it only twice during his time in office
He saw it as critical of Henry’s decisions and sought to suppress its influence.
What were the Eltham Ordinances also aimed at achieving?
Reducing the number of gentlemen in the bedchamber and monitoring spending
They intended to eliminate ‘rascals and vagabonds’ from Henry’s court.
What was Wolsey’s main barrier to achieving his goals?
The Privy Chamber and Parliament
These institutions were seen as obstacles to his personal prestige and influence.
What were some of Wolsey’s titles?
Archbishop of York, Bishop of Lincoln, Abbot of St Albans
His pluralism allowed him significant power in the church.
What was a major failure in Wolsey’s career related to church reform?
His failure to secure Henry’s annulment severely undermined his position
This failure contributed to his eventual downfall.
What did Wolsey aim to achieve regarding church reform?
Reform and efficiency, increasing personal power and wealth
He sought to improve the church while consolidating his authority.
Was Wolsey successful in reforming the church?
Partially; he improved efficiency but was seen as too corrupt to fulfill his aims
Many historians argue he did not prioritize genuine reform.
• Enclosures brought difficulty upon people such as: increased rents
small farmers
subsidence
(farmers who made just enough food for their own family and not to sell for profit
Simony
The buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges
Nepotism
The favouring of family or friends
• In the Court of Chancery there was legal action against 264 landowners
where 222 were brought to court and 188 verdicts were reached (that’s more
than half)! Some landowners were forced to rebuild demolished houses or
return pasture farming (land where only animals eat) back to arable farming
(growing crops and food for the people).
• On top of this Wolsey provided easy access for the poor to royal justice by
having cheap fees in opening a court case against landowners therefore
encouraging a greater percentage of people taking to court those who had
enclosures.
• In 1528
wheat prices had doubled after
1527 harvest and was amongst the worst of
the century.
• Wolsey ordered searches for grain at every
barn in England to look for surplus.
• The names of those hoarding surpluses were
presented to the Star Chamber
and a survey
was conducted showing overall there was
sufficient grain
so Wolsey was able to
obtains the surplus and move it to meet the
We see here justice being served and Wolsey caring about social policies need of others. Social Reforms: Failures:
• However
he simply issued a verdict in 1526 of the destruction of all
unlawful enclosures since 1485 and another in 1529 ordering all
enclosures to be dismantled but so far as we know
no one took
notice of these laws.
• Wolsey hadn’t attempted any laws for enclosure to keep this a long –
term impact of reverting enclosed lands
therefore after his removal
people could ignore his keenness of sending the landowners to
court.
