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Henry VIII Government
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this document is coursework exploring the Tudor king Henry VIII's power and government.
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Mannahil AliHistorians have disagreed about the extent to which Henry VIII remained
in control of the government after 1534. What is your view about the extent
to which Henry VIII remained in control of government after 1534?
Introduction:
In the years 1527 to 1535 England's king was preoccupied with a “Great matter” – his
infatuations towards Anne Boleyn, plus his desire to divorce Catherine, as the Queen could
not provide Henry with a living heir. This “Great matter” led to the reformation and a
legislative break with Rome in 1534. Not only this but the year 1534 was a key moment in
the Tudor period. The Act of Supremacy had been passed leading to many major events, the
dissolution of monasteries and the publication of the English Bible in 1536. The Act of
Supremacy 1534 defined Henry VIII’s rights as supreme head on earth of the Church of
England, thereby, severing ecclesiastical links with Rome.
Many historians believe that Henry was a reluctant king however, contrary to this other
historians such as Stephen Roberts (Roberts, n.d.) perceive him as a ‘great warrior’; they state
that Henry VIII had a “thirst for battle” these victories in battles allowed him to manipulate
the courts decision through establishing authority over his ministers . This reformation led to
many changes in the government and the power that the king upheld. The changes in the
King's power and control are determined by events in Henry’s reign, events such as the
excommunication of Henry 1538, crusades in order to conquer England by Charles,
Lincolnshire Risings 1536 followed by the Pilgrimage of Grace 1536-37. The reformation
was the result of Henry’s desire to marry Anne Boleyn. This desire led to the break with
Rome, before 1533 Henry’s power was limited by the Catholic Church. All his decisions as
monarch were monitored by the church and had to be approved. He was constrained by the
church in many aspects as his rule had to abide by Catholic Rule thus, he lacked ultimate
power. However, the reformation led to many changes in Henry’s power all considered under
ideas such as changes in governing, consequences and revolutions. Many historians have
differing perspectives about Henry’s power, three key historians and their view of whether
Henry VIII remained in control of the government after the reformation in 1534 and the
repruccusions for the power and control Henry upheld during his reign. This essay explores
the perspectives of Tudor England by John Guy (Guy, 1988) using Booty, J. E 1963 An
, Apology of the Church and other key texts, Henry VIII by J. J. Scarsbrick (Scarisbrick, 1968)
who used many contemporary writings, documents and chronicles and Early Tudor
Government by S. J. Gunn (Gunn, 1995) who used essays such as Early Tudor History.
(Trueman, 2020) believes that Henry was smart and appointed loyal and tactical ministers
such as the key ministers in history Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell.
Similar to Truman’s view Keith Randall stated Henry was a “shrewd politician”. Scarisbrick
(Scarisbrick, 1968) has similar views to (Trueman, 2015) as he believes that Henry was only
powerful due to his minister Thomas Cromwell. Overall, Henry’s power evolved as from the
1500's the start of his rule where he took over his brother’s throne and married Catherine of
Aragon to 1588 where he was able to reform the Church of England’s power and establish his
rule over England therefore the monarchy was accepted as Dei Gratia meaning ‘By the grace
of God’. This presents the mentality Tudor government had towards the control of the king
and develops on the control Henry had on Henrican Government after 1534. Not only this but
these key texts explore the importance of the contributions of the Tudor chief ministers
Thomas Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell and William Cecil.
John Guy’s (Guy, 1988) perspective differs from the other two historians (Scarisbrick, 1968)
and (Gunn, 1995) as other key texts written by Scarisbrick such as Thomas Wolsey are edited
by S.J. Gunn and this portrays similar views towards Henry VIII and his power after 1534.
This is perhaps indicative of Gunn’s fondness for Scarisbrick’s writing propelled by their
shared views.
Tudor England by John Guy:
John Guy viewed Henry’s reign to be egotistical, paranoid and insecure, the king was driven
to seek revenge from anyone that went against him. In Early Tudor government (Guy, 1988)
viewed Henry as powerful over his government apart from aspects such as revolutions. John
guy states in (Guy, 1988, pp. 179-83) that Henry’s power and control was great as he had
extremely capable ministers. Cromwell and Cranmer both helped Henry break all ties with
the church so he could fulfil his desires. Both Cromwell and Cranmer were reformers and
when Henry was preoccupied with Prince Edward's birth he ordered Cromwell to carry out
some of his duties. Therefore, Henry was viewed as reluctant about his role and a king that
appointed ministers to carry out the government when he is unable to. Thus, John Guy
viewed Henry’s power maintained by his minister Cromwell who Guy viewed as the driving
force behind the reformation. Later Guy states that Cromwell faced problems once Pope Paul
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