Wolsey's Fall Flashcards
What was the Amicable Grant of 1525?
French army destroyed in Pavia - Henry saw as chance to invade, but no funds to do so, therefore Wolsey proposed a non-parliamentary tax called the Amicable Grant
Results of it were the refusal to pay and rebellion across Suffolk and East Anglia
10,000 men marched on Lavenham, hostility was no initiated by the nobles, they did their best to restore order
It was scrapped after 4 months in May
What was the aftermath of the Amicable Grant like?
Beginning of the end for Wolsey
Henry denied any knowledge or involvement about the grant
Showing the vulnerability of the position of Wolsey
Switched from an alliance with Spain to an alliance with France - proving very unpopular decision for an alliance
What was the impact of the Hunne Affair?
Richard Hunne = prosperous London merchant who challenged the church through the law courts about the mortuary fees he was forced to pay after the death of his son
He was imprisoned while waiting for trial then died there
Sparked dissatisfaction with the church for murdering a well to do man and false accusations
What was the Benefit of the Clergy?
Allowed members of the clergy to have any criminal cases hear in ecclesiastical courts
Any one that was educated used these courts as they were able to claim immunity
Explain the ecclesiastical extravagance?
His position in the church such as the Legate a Latere enhanced Wolsey’s wealth - which created much hostility and resentment from everyone
His magnificence opened him up to criticism
What is Pluralism, Nepotism and Absenteeism?
According to protestant historians Wolsey was the embodiment of all that was wrong with the Catholic Church
Pluralism - having more than 1 estate = bigger wealth
Nepotism - giving jobs to friends and family
Absenteeism - he rarely visited his bishoprics
Explain the Monastic Reform?
Wolsey initiated the visitations (inspections of the churches or religious houses by crown commissioners)]
This was modest and not without opposition
His dissolution of 30 monasteries to fund the building of Cardinal College, Oxford was opposed although he was helping to improve the education it was really only to enhance his standing in Tudor court
Did Wolsey weaken the English Church?
He did protect the church from monarchical attack
He was first and foremost Henry’s servant, however no one could have foreseen the Royal Supremacy to come in 1530
Why did Henry start to loose faith in Wolsey?
Henry’s govt was becoming increasingly unpopular due to the alliance with France, unpopular with leading nobility and it put Henry in a weak position regarding the Great Matter
His fall from power was a consequence of his failure to secure the divorce - Henry though he would secure it due to his power within the church
What was the Great Matter?
By 1526 Henry wanted to divorce Catherine - he needed papal confirmation to do so but Catherine could easily make an appeal to Rome - so Wolsey was sent on the job
What were Wolsey’s attempts at securing the annulment?
He tried to challenge Julius II decision to allow the marriage between Henry and Catherine after Arthur died - argued on the grounds of consummation but Catherine argued she was a virgin until her marriage to Henry - this method was not directly challenging papal authority
He also tried to prohibit the marriage on the grounds of Leviticus that he could not marry a dead brothers wife
What went wrong for Wolsey?
Wolsey tried to use his powers of Legate a Latere to annul the marriage by himself but Catherine opposed
Clement VII was taken prisoner by Charles V
Cardinal Campeggio was sent over in the summer of 1528 - suggested Catherine go into a nunnery but she refused
Blackfriars Court of 1529
Wolsey charged with Praemunire in 1529
Reformation Parliament started in 1529
What was the end for Wolsey like?
He retired as the archbishopric of York but continued to live in splendour
Due to his failure to secure the annulment Henry used him as a scapegoat
November 1930 the council had Wolsey arrested
On the way to face trial he died on 24th November 1530 in Leicester Abbey
