This is an 8 page document summarising the reign of Henry VIII between .
It covers Henry VIII as an individual, Wolsey's role in domestic policies, The King's Great matter, Cromwell, the Royal Supremacy, Dissolution of the Monasteries, Henry VIII's foreign policy and more.
Each section also co...
HENRY VIII: 1509-1547
Character:
Just under 18 when King.
Believed he was an imperial king. His actions came with God’s approval.
Rejected his father’s ‘defensive’ foreign policy in favour of an interventionist policy.
Aims:
Wanted a Warrior King legacy, like his uncle Henry V.
o Reassert claim onto French throne.
Marry early and secure dynasty with male heir.
Stabilise government
Early Actions:
1. Empson and Dudley, tried and executed for treason. Used as scapegoats for
unpopular financial policy.
2. Disposed of Council Learned in Law, and used Bonds and Recognisances less.
3. Declared his intention of marrying Catherine of Aragon.
a. Would maintain good relations with Spanish, and may provide an heir.
HISTORIANS VIEWS:
John Guy: “his ruthlessness was revealed even though he was barely 18 years.”
o On execution of Empson and Dudley.
Henry’s ministers:
WOLSEY:
- Wolsey was ambitious and very talented in public speaking and administration. He was
keen for war with France (appealed to Henry VIII).
Traditional View: Wolsey was the ‘alter rex.’ He controlled Henry VIII.
Revisionist View: Political partnership, king always had last word.
WOLSY’S DOMESTIC POLICIES:
1. Justice: appointed Lord Chancellor 1515 (highest ranking legal officer) so could make
legal decisions. He promoted Civil Law.
a. Star Camber: set up by Henry VII, 1487 to administer justice in cases involving
nobility. Wolsey encouraged ordinary people to make complaints (poor friendly).
i. Henry VIII 6 cases a year. By 1517= 120 cases a year.
ii. Used to attack opponents who challenged his influence on king (Sir Amyas)
2. Finance: recognised existing methods of finance wouldn’t support costly foreign policy.
a. Used Subsidies: 1513-16 raised £170,000 from a subsidy.
b. 1522 organised a National Survey identifying who could pay tax/ how much.
i. Used this to raise £200,000 in forced loans 1922-23.
ii. Proposed tax based on income rather than property but little success.
c. 1525; ‘Amicable Grant,’ non parliamentary. Demanded 1/6th of the value of
citizen’s goods and 1/3rd of clergy’s. Led to widespread resistance; abandoned. Earl
of Norfolk faced 4000 taxation resisters.
i. Needed to pay for war against France 1523. Needed money for joint invasion
with Charles V. Wanted to impress him.
ii. Parliament unlikely to agree to tax, reluctant to grant £800,000 in 1523
d. 1926: The Eltham Ordinances; attempt to reorganise crown’s finances.
3. Parliament: Wolsey is accused of trying to rule without parliament.
a. Only called twice; in 1515, 1523 in need of money. BUT at this time not unusual.
b. Decreased number of councillors in Privy Chamber: 20- under 10.
, 4. Church: criticised of acting out of self interest (financial and papal recognition)
a. Set up Legatine visitations; inspected churches and monasteries. Dissolved 30
religious monasteries receiving goods and money (£200 p/a) from each.
5. Enclosure: Enclosure destroyed village life and jobs.
a. 1517: National Survey on how much land was enclosed and its effect. These
enquiries were suspended in 1523-26 by land owners in parliament.
Revolutionary Changes?
- Wolsey’s motives were not to transform. Introduced changes to increase own control.
- Reforms were not permeant: once established own control, reforms lapse.
- Little change to overall structure of gov. Just subsections.
THE KING’S GREAT MATTER: 1527-1534
Henry wanted to annul his marriage with Catherine of Aragon.
Catherine approaching 40, so chance of male heir was unlikely.
Mary’s legitimacy was questioned; Henry married his brother’s wife. When marriage
proposed between Francis I and Many, French looked for papal approval and
validity.
Henry had fallen in love with Anne Boleyn.
The case FOR annulment:
1. Pope’s Julius II’s initial allowance of the marriage was challenged:
a. H & C were in-laws; ‘affinity’ between them, Arthur and Cath consummated their
marriage. Arthur spent wedding night ‘in the midst of Spain.’
b. Pope allowed marriage to cement peace between England and Spain. Henry
questioned if political and foreign policy could override God’s word.
2. Biblical justification:
a. Leviticus 20:21 “if a man shall take his brother’s wife; they shall be childless/
without a male heir.” Henry had been living sin. God punishing him.
3. The current pope: Clement VII
a. Owed H a favour. 1521 published ‘In Defence of the Seven Sacraments’ after
Martin Luther was attacking church. H awarded title ‘Defender of the faith’.
b. 12th Century English laws said clergy should recognise King before Papacy.
Recognising someone above King= praemunire, and crime of treason.
4. Anne Boleyn:
a. Introduced William Tyndale’s book ‘Obedience of the Christian Man’ to Henry. Said
King has overall authority of their country.
b. Gave henry a copy of Simon Fish’s ‘A Supplication of the Beggars’ which criticised
the greed of Church men.
The case AGAINST annulment:
1. Catherine’s personality:
a. Accepting annulment; make her mistress not wife and her daughter Mary
illegitimate.
b. She was popular amongst public; John Fisher and Thomas More.
c. Hearing at Blackfriars, June 1529- she made a plea for Henry to remain loyal
2. Henry’s beliefs:
a. Catholic, rejected Pope’s idea; divorce Catherine, marry Anne, ask for annulment
later, as was bigamy. Wanted to ensure any child with Anne was legitimate.
3. Charles V:
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