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AQA A Level History Notes, Henry VIII, Ministers and Government, Cromwell
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In depth revision notes for aqa a level history tudors
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Cromwell: 1485 - 1540-Cromwell managed the most difficult of men for a decade and presided over and helped
organise an enormous series of changes of fundamental importance to the development of
England
-he shaped the development not only of the entire system of government but also the way in
which England was administered worshipped paid its taxes and was counted
-he transformed the role of parliament, made wales conform more to english laws and ways,
broke down the traditional independence of the North of England and started to look at ways in
which trade could be developed
-he went a long way towards making the Crown financially independent from Parliament
Background/Overview
-became lawyer in 1523 and an MP a year later
-travelled widely
-sat in the parliament of 1523
-involved in wolsey’s suppression of some monasteries in the 1520s
-cromwell became secretary to Henry VIII in 1534, and the real director of government policy.
-Privy councillor in 1531; Principal Minister 1532-40
-His mistake in arranging Henry’s marriage to Anne of Cleves led to his being accused of
treason and beheaded
Rise to Power
-mix of ability, hard work, skill at collecting offices and making himself indispensable
-he had to ability to implements the King’s will effectively
-tied up many loose ends of Henry’s divorce and its implications
-key aide to Wolsey
-managed to distance himself sufficiently from Wolsey
-by 1530 was member of council and over next 2 years became key minister
-made enemies of those who thought they were better suited to job, e.g Stephen Gardiner and
Thomas Howard, who would pay key role in his fall in 1540
-He managed to get a job in almost every aspect of gov: 1532 Master of the King’s Jewels,
giving foothold in royal household, and minor post in Court of the Chancery, one of key legal
departments; 1533 made Chancellor of the Exchequer (minorish post back then) giving him
position in old Elchequery finance system; Master of the Rolls (major legal and record-keeping
role) and principal secretary , with access to King and key coordinating role; Vicar General and
Vicar-Regent of the Church; member of Parliament (obvs).
-often when he transferred authority from one area of gov to another he had no opposition as he
was dealing with himself
A Tudor Revolution?
Background:
- By 1519, Cromwell had important position in Wolsey’s household
- Cromwell learned enough about law to attend the Inns of Court 1524 and to develop a
successful legal practice.
- 1529 he was elected MP, playing an active role in in attacking abuses of Church
, - He soon found himself in royal service and as a member of the royal council in 1531. He
combined this advancement, unlike many, with loyalty to his old master, Wolsey,
defending him in parliament until Wolsey’s death
Date Cromwell’s Titles and Promotions
1532 Became Master of the King’s Jewels, a position which gave him access to the
King’s private rooms in the palace
1533 Became Chancellor of the Exchequer, Master of the Rolles (giving him leading
role in the legal system)
1535 Appointed Vice-gerent for the Spirituals (gov post which Henry created to give
Cromwell power to institute church reform)
1536 Became Lord Privy Seal and Principal Secretary on the Royal Council; also
rewarded with title Baron Cromwell
1540 Became Lord Great Chamberlain and Earl of Essex shortly before his fall
- By 1532 he had effectively taken over management of King’s divorce
- Like Wolsey he aimed to anticipate King’s wishes and provide solutions
- He rapidly collected titles and promotions (outside church unlike Wolsey)
- 1532-36 he devised divorce strategy and drafted a series of acts destroying Rome’s
power, creating the Church of England and giving Henry unprecedented power and
status as a monarch.
Government
The changes introduced by Cromwell amounted to an administrative revolution.
Three key words encapsulating the main aims/aspects of changing Government:
- Sovereignty- England should be a sovereign state, meaning that there should be only
one power governing the lives of all those who lived within the realm- The King. This can
be seen in the struggle between King and Pope.
- Parliament- Parliament was needed to enforce Henry’s supremacy over the church and
that this was God given. Parliament was also used to bring into law that certain actions
were criminal- denying that Henry was head of the church. The break with Rome
strengthened Parliament’s authority.
- Bureaucracy- Cromwell removed the Household style of running the country and
replaced it with a series of bureaucratic institutions which did not depend on the King’s
personal efforts. This marked a transition to modern administration.
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