Henry VIII 1509-47
Background
- Handsome -> popularity amongst the people
- The Venetian ambassador described Henry VIII as ‘one of the best dressed sovereign[s] in the
world’.
- More secure start to his reign
- Did not usurp the throne that his legitimacy was not questioned
- Inherited a financial surplus of around £300,000 due to Henry VII’s avoidance of war and bonds
and recognisances, albeit a small one.
- However, this would vanish as a result of paying for the revival of a traditionally
aggressive foreign policy.
- The nobility had been controlled, so rebellion was unlikely to happen at the start of his reign.
- Inherited a conciliar government whose wisdom he could benefit from, but this would disappear
in the short term due to the rise of Wolsey as chief minister.
- Inexperienced
- His early upbringing was not one in which he was either expected or apprenticed to become the
future king.
- Although he was not a ‘universal genius’ according to Erasmus, he was arguably the
most academically gifted English monarch.
- Margaret Beaufort supervised his studies and employed Cambridge scholars,
such as John Skelton, as his mentor.
- He was proficient in Latin and French, skilled in astronomy and Mathematics,
and had a passion for composing and playing music.
- He had a restricted life as a prince that he could only go out through a private door that led to
the park and be approached by specially appointed persons.
- While having his own suite next to Henry VII’s enabled him to witness some affairs of state,
Henry VII never gave him any responsibility for them.
Aims - Main priority was winning glory through foreign policy.
To establish his status amongst European monarchs through marriage.
- Henry VIII was anxious to conclude the marriage to Catherine of Aragon in 1509 as quickly as possible.
- Marriage alliance between Mary and Louis XII secured by Wolsey in 1514
- Louis XII died in 1515, weakening England’s diplomatic position.
To re-establish the role of the nobility.
- Under Henry VII, the nobility had been largely frozen out of direct political influence and few had spent
much time at court. Largely peaceable foreign policy had denied them their traditional outlet of the
pursuit of military glory.
- As Henry VIII shared the tastes and dominant military culture of the aristocracy, he had largely the
sons of nobility partner him in the sports and revels that took up a lot of his time and energy at the start
of his reign and accompany him to war in northern France.
- The Marquis of Dorset accompanied him to southwest France while the Earl of Surrey
accompanied him to Scotland.
- However, the nobility did not achieve the political domination they had hoped for as Henry VIII chose to
promote the interests of Wolsey who had organised the war in France on his behalf.
To establish himself as a warrior king through success in battle.
- Henry VIII sought quickly to overthrow Henry VII’s defensive foreign policy legacy which consisted of
establishing Peace with France.
- Henry VIII spoke of his rightful inheritance to the French Crown and longed for the glory of Henry V at
Agincourt, commissioning a translation of a book about Henry V’s early life.
- Henry VIII’s pursuit of military glory, which fitted in closely with his rehabilitation of the traditional
nobility and would demonstrate he had God’s favour, led directly to the war in France.
- The results were usually vast amounts of money being spent to achieve painfully small gains
which had little or no strategic significance. Henry VIII’s bouts of aggression were also mixed
, with occasional alliances with France against Spain and the Holy Roman Empire, though he
was never foolish enough to go to war with Charles V.
To establish himself as an imperial king.
- Henry VIII reinforced imperial kingship, which placed the king next to God in importance on Earth, at
various times throughout his reign.
- At a tournament in 1511, the imperial crown was to be found as a motif on his gold and purple
pavilion.
- In 1533, the Act in Restraints of Appeals, which referred to England as ‘an Empire’ governed by
‘one supreme head and king’, was passed, ordering appeals to be heard in English Church
courts instead of in Rome.
Later aims
- To pursue glory.
- To secure the succession to the throne.
- To expand the authority of the king.
- Almost always gave priority to the pursuit of pleasure.
- Had little interest in the business of government except on an occasional and impulsive basis.
Government
1509-14 - Conciliar government
- Henry VIII wanted popularity, a fresh start and a war with France.
1514-29 - Wolsey
- Henry VIII retained oversight, although often acted at a distance.
1530-40 - Cromwell
- Henry VIII had the overriding goal of securing his succession which enmeshed foreign policy.
1540-47 - A return to conciliar government
- Henry VIII was determined to ensure religious stability and put in place plans for the succession.
Distancing from Henry VII’s reign
- At the start of Henry VIII’s reign, some members of the Council were able to dispose of others and
establish themselves in power. Richard Fox, who was assisted by Thomas Lovell and Richard Weston,
secured the arrest of Richard Empson and Edmond Dudley.
- The conciliar approach to government was adopted from 1509 to 1514.
- Henry VIII became disenchanted with the reluctance of some of Henry VII’s senior councillors to
support a war with France.
- As Henry VIII became more attuned to governing, he asserted his undoubted right to control
decision-making.
- Henry VIII surrounded himself with like-minded young courtiers who reinforced his suspicions of
the ‘old guard’.
- Henry VIII became particularly impressed by Wolsey’s organisational skills, whose contribution
to the effective management of the 1512 French campaign earned him royal gratitude.
- As Wolsey emerged as the chief minister from 1514-29 due to his close relationship with
Henry VIII, the conciliar approach to government fell.
- A form of conciliar government was restored following the fall of Wolsey from 1529-32
and the fall of Cromwell from 1540-47.
- Henry VIII was less active in government than Henry VII in his early years. The council shifted from a
body that offered advice and took care of some of the details of government to an organisation that
was more actively involved in governing the country.
- There was far greater emphasis on martial display which served a purpose in glorifying the monarchy
and demonstrating the prestige of Henry VIII’s court, consolidating royal authority.
- Key decisions and policies continued to originate from the monarch.
Privy Council
- Henry VIII drew up their agendas, but never attended their meetings.
Privy Chamber
