Wolsey's Domestic Policy Flashcards
Wolsey’s rise to power
Luck 2, Skill 6
Luck
Many of Henry’s old advisors, like Dudley, were removed or wanted retirement like Fox.
Henry, unlike his father, took no interest in the affairs of the country and thus a position to do so opened up
Skill
Gained a degree from Oxford at 15.
Son of a Butcher so clearly didn’t receive his position through heritage
Quick to recognise opportunities for advancement and was a great flatterer
Was a member of Fox’s peace party, but knew that backing a party for peace would not endear him to a monarch who wanted war
1513 Expedition to France - Wolsey took on organisational tasks and supplied the army, ignoring those in authority. Complaints form them served only to boost Wolsey’s reputation in Henry’s eyes as a man who would do anything to fulfil his will
On a mission to deliver a message to Maximillian of the HRE, Wolsey completed it in 3 days, returning whilst Henry still believed him to be preparing to depart - showcases hard work ethic
Wolsey’s Legal Reforms
Attempted to bring greater justice to the legal system, favoured civil law over common law, which was seen as more fair
He ensured that courts dispensed cheap and impartial justice so they were available to the poor.
Star Chamber brought about cases against the powerful, and he often used the system to punish those he had a grudge with (many disliked him as he was the son of a butcher and originally poor) e.g. Earl of Northumberland sent to Fleet prison for a felony.
Court of Chancery set up to hear cases of the poor.
the Star Chamber dealt with 120 cases per annum, compared to only 12 per annum in Henry VII’s reign
However, there was a clear backlog of Star Chamber cases by 1529 and there was much chaotic administration.
Moreover, many argue that Wolsey was not a ‘champion of the people, instead using the Star Court to punish those he had grudges with. e.g. Sir Paulet, who had previously put Wolsey in the stocks. Wolsey forced him to appear before him everyday, and he could not leave London without his permission.
Wolsey’s Financial Reforms
3
Introduced the subsidy, which became the standard Parliamentary tax. Greatly increased the money brought in and was based on a realistic assessment of wealth. This replaced the Fifteenth & Tenths, but they coexisted for a while. 1523-26 The Subsidy raised £170k, while the Fifteenths & Tenths raised only £90k
£200,000 from forced loans in 1522-23
However, still not enough to meet Henry’s demand and fund the conquests he wanted e.g. France in 1525
He aimed to make £800,000 in 1523, but made only £300,000.
He tried to raise funds through the Amicable Grant in 1525. This caused great unrest in East Anglia, an uprising of 10,000 men, and Henry had to intervene, cancel the grant and make Wolsey apologise. Henry denied all knowledge of the tax
He tried to increase revenue from crown lands, but had limited success. He raised £820,000 through taxes, but it could not meet the £1.7million spent on war. But Henry spent on unseen levels so this is understandable. e.g. 1520 Field of the Cloth of Gold cost £36,000, more than 1/3 of Englands annual income of £90,000
Wolsey’s Social Reforms
Attacked the practice of enclosure. Between 1518-29, 222 landowners were brought to court.
However, this had limited impact as in 1523 Wolsey accepted all enclosures in return for the parliamentary subsidy.
In conclusion, Wolsey is seen by some historians as a champion of the poor, but his social reforms in truth were ineffective
Administrative Reform
Wolsey only called Parliament twice to raise funds for war.
He was concerned about the Privy Council and issued the Eltham Ordinances in 1526, which removed 6/12 Gentleman of the Bedchamber. However, some believe this was to control access to the King and increase his power.
Moreover, the reforms were quick to lapse as there was little enforcement of the ordinances
Evaluation of Wolsey’s Domestic Policy
4
Legal - Effective. Star Court and Court of Chancery greatly increased amount of cases and made court much more affordable and available to the poor
Financial - Mostly ineffective. Introduction of the Subsidy increased tax income, but still wasn’t enough for Henry e.g. aimed to make £800,000 in 1523 but only made £300,000. Furthermore, the 1525 Amicable Grant was a huge failure. Raised £820,000 through taxes but didn’t meet the £1.7 million spent on war
Social - Limited. Attacked enclosure. 1518-29 222 landowners taken to court. However, the impact was limited as in 1523 he accepted all enclosures in return for the parliamentary subsidy
Administrative - Mainly effective. Eltham Ordinances increased the efficiency of the Privy Council. Some argue this was for his benefit to increase his power
