Three mind maps summarising the role of Wolsey, his impact and his downfall. Lists relevant past paper questions and ideal as an introduction or for revision. Covers: Henry VIII and Wolsey's relationship; Wolsey's role in economic/foreign/domestic/religious policy; the causes of his downfall.
Wolsey had the authority
Past Paper Questions
Who was Wolsey?
This is the traditional line. Wolsey made
Do you agree with the view that, although Wolsey was born in 1473, the son of a butcher. He was the policy between 1515 and 1529 and
Wolsey appeared the dominant figure in the very ambitious and able and gained a degree at 15 from was, therefore, the dominant figure or
government of England in the years 1515–29, Oxford. In 1509, when Henry came to power, he wanted a ‘alter rex.’ Evidence for this is:
in reality he merely followed Henry’s bidding? new start and arrested two of Henry VII’s hated ministers:
Empson and Dudley. In 1509, Henry became Royal Henry was young and
Do you agree with the view that in the years Almoner (responsible for giving out charity). This made inexperienced and Wolsey took
1515–25 Henry VIII wholly surrendered power him a member of the Royal Council. He was also involved advantage of this
in government to Cardinal Wolsey? in routine bureaucratic tasks. He came to Henry’s
The council of the early years
attention with his efficiency at organising the 1512
vanished leaving Wolsey as
expeditionary force of 12,000 for war in Gascony.
Henry’s chief minister in this
period
Literary sources, e.g. Polydore
What is the debate? Virgil and poet John Skelton
,suggested that Wolsey distracted
Did Wolsey or Henry have the authority? Wolsey Henry with gifts and Henry played
a passive role at court
What was his role? Wolesy had enormous wealth, the
largest disposable income in
Henry had the ultimate authority but there was
conflict England his palace, Hampton
Court, rivalled Henry’s
Conflict shows that Wolsey backed down and Henry had the authority Wolsey was ruthless in his
could not simply do what he wanted. treatment of the nobility e.g.
Recently historians have argued that Henry was in
In 1522, Wolsey proposed a surprise Polydore Virgil and the Duke of
ultimate charge and Wolsey was only an advisor.
attack on the French Navy but Henry Buckingham
stopped him Wolsey was forced to change his mind if
In 1528, Wolsey and Henry fell out over Henry did not agree – Wolsey was originally
who should be appointed abbess to the against war with the French but had to Conclusion:
nunnery of Wilton, Wiltshire. Wolsey had
change his mind when Henry was clearly 1. Traditionally Wolsey was seen as
to apologise
pro-war dominant
They fell out over the Amicable Grant
and ultimately relations broke down over
We tend to see him as a ‘prime minister’ 2. Recently this has been challenged
Wolsey’s failure to get a divorce but this is anachronistic i.e. using a term or 3. They had conflict – quite an equal
idea that does not belong to the period relationship – but Henry was ultimately
King
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