Summary Revision Notes: OCR A Level History, Early Tudors, Chapter 3 - Henry VIII and Wolsey
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Course
AS Unit F961 - British History Period Studies
Institution
OCR
These notes provide a detailed summary of the third chapter (Henry VIII and Wolsey) of Nicholas Fellows' and Mary Dicken's textbook - the OCR recommended textbook for the 'England - The Early Tudors' paper. I used these revision notes to achieve a Grade 9 in my history A Level.
What was the Impact of Henry’s Personality on the Government of
England up to 1529?
The Break from Henry VII
Henry did want to demonstrate a break from his father, who had come to be
perceived as cruel, greedy, and mean in the latter years of his reign.
To remove himself from his father’s legacy, Henry made two very public declarations
of change.
1. He arrested and later executed Edmund Dudley and Sri Richard Empson, the two
men responsible for implementing Henry VII’s harsh financial policies.
2. He announced that he would marry Catherine of Aragon, who had been kept in
England as a virtual prisoner after Arthur’s death. Henry would be seen as
chivalrous for marrying her, as he would be righting a wrong done to a virtuous
woman. This marriage would also restore Anglo Spanish relations, which had
worsened in the latter years of Henry VII’s reign, hopefully giving Henry the ally
he needed to achieve his aim of becoming a warrior king.
Even so, he still kept some of his father’s policies and methods of government.
For the first few years of his reign, he also relied on the councillors and servants his
father had appointed him before his death.
War and Glory
Henry was keen to prove himself to be a chivalrous and valiant knight, and to gain
the reputation of a warrior king.
The best way to do this was through war.
This attitude likely came about from the stories he grew up hearing, such as King
Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and those of Henry V, and his victories
against France, particularly his success at Agincourt.
Henry’s obsession with these stories, particularly Henry V’s, most likely gave him a
desire to win glory through war.
And, what better way to do so, than by mounting an expedition to invade and claim
the French throne - a throne that could be argued to be rightfully Henry’s, through
his relation to Henry V, whose son had been crowned king of France.
This would also achieve another one of his aims – breaking from his father.
As such, desire for war and glory dominated the first few years of Henry’s reign.
However, this was very difficult for him to achieve, not only because France was
much stronger than it had been in the 15th century, but because many of his
ministers, most of whom had served Henry VII, strongly opposed war.
People like Archbishop Warham and Bishop Fox wanted to continue Henry VII’s
policies and were skilled at inaction.
Therefore, they were able to trick Henry into renewing the truce with France in 1510
when he wanted to go to war.
His supposed allies also abandoned him: Ferdinand had a history of breaking
alliances, but it was most likely still a shock when he broke an alliance that was
, barely a year old, and Maximillian, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was easily
won over and bribed by the French.
As a result, it wasn’t until 1512 that Henry was able to go to war with France.
Further distance from his father
Not only was Henry willing to spend money on warfare, but he was also willing to
spend it on the court and on entertainment.
He spent a great deal of money in the first few years of his reign, and he was even
called the best dressed sovereign in Europe at one point.
His lavish spending on the court resulted in it being vibrant and lively, and appealed
to the nobility who felt they had been largely ignored in the later years of Henry VII’s
reign.
Henry VIII also created several new members of the nobility.
In conclusion, under the new king, the traditional relationship was restored and
nobility, whether with warfare or court life, were kept entertained and thus posed
less of a challenge.
However, due to his extravagant spending, Henry VIII had spent all of the money his
father saved in a matter of years.
How Successful was Henry’s Foreign Policy up to 1529?
Introduction
At the start of his reign, Henry was determined to demonstrate that England was a
major power, and to achieve honour and glory for himself.
However, his aims changed a little later, as there was no money left to finance
another foreign campaign. As a result, England was to achieve glory through peace-
making.
Early French Campaigns
The early years brought Henry limited success, however they did satisfy the king’s
desire for military glory.
Even so, the treaty with the French allowed him to keep the territories he had
captured (Tournai) and restored the French pension.
It also arranged the marriage of Henry’s sister Mary to King Louis XII.
Despite this, it can be argued that the defeat of the Scots at the battle of Flodden
was a far more impressive victory - victory that Henry wasn’t present at.
In this battle, England had managed to raise a second army, and kill the Scottish king
and a large number of nobles whilst securing the northern border.
English policy, 1515-1529
Although Henry still desired a policy that would bring glory, England’s treasury was
almost empty.
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