Henry and Wolsey 1509-29

Question 1

What year did Henry VII become King?

Answer 1

1509

Question 2

In what year did Wolsey become Archbishop of York?

Answer 2

1514

Question 3

What was Wolsey’s finest hour?

Answer 3

Arranging the Field of the Cloth of Gold

Question 4

Name 3 strengths of Henry’s monarch.

Answer 4

Enthusiam to his reign, people supported him and there was no threat or opposition to his coronation.

Question 5

Name 3 weaknesses of Henry’s monarch.

Answer 5

Henry was not expected to be king so he wasn’t trained, he had no experience and he did not have enough knowledge of ruling a country or its workings.

Question 6

What is the meaning of ‘Foreign Policy’ ?

Answer 6

Domestic/Foreign split.

Question 7

Name 3 Foreign Policy Aims.

Answer 7

1. To win honour and glory in war, especially against France.
2. To enhance trade - to financially secure the throne.
3. To protect his northern border

Question 8

3 Successes of Foreign Policy.

Answer 8

1. Success achieved against rebels.
2. Security from invasion achieved
3. Commercial treaties overrated.

Question 9

3 Failures of Foregin Policy.

Answer 9

1. No glorious victory
2. Royal finances could not support a repetiton of the campaign of 1513
3. He was forced to make peace with France.

Question 10

How did Wolsey rise to power?

Answer 10

He was talented and skilled. It was clear that Wolsey was ready and willing and very able. At the time of Wolsey’s arrival to Henry VII’s court many of Henry VII’s advisers and ministers were ageing and ready to settle down and retire. This left Wolsey free to take the spotlight and attract Henry’s attention.

Question 11

What year did Wolsey become the Royal Almoner?

Answer 11

1509.

Question 12

Wolsey’s reforms: Justice

Answer 12

In 1515, Wolsey handled many cases in person and also made it so anyone could bring their case to the star chamber, disregarding their wealth or social status.

Question 13

Wolsey’s reforms: Finance

Answer 13

Wolsey replaced the traditional ‘fifteenths and tenths’ system with one that accurately reflected the wealth of taxpayers. He relistically changed it to a more flexible system based on the persons ability to pay.

Question 14

Wolsey’s reforms: Enclosures

Answer 14

In 1517 Wolsey took action lauching a national inquiry into enclosure and showing drive and determination in bringing those that did to justice.
However, the Enclosure policy was a failure.

Question 15

What was the Amicable Grant?

Answer 15

It was a tax imposed on England in 1525 by Wolsey. At the time it was called “a benevolence”, it was essentially a forced loan.

Question 16

Reasons for the Amicable Grant.

Answer 16

Henry VII had a bad habit of getting involved in European conflicts. In the early 1520s his alliance with Charles, Holy Roman Emperor involved Henry in yet another agrument. Charles declared war on France and Henry followed. The war however required lots of money, he turned to his advisor, Wolsey. Wolsey then created the ‘Amicable Grant’ without Parliaments approval to gain money.

Question 17

Reactions of the Amicable Grant.

Answer 17

It’s ironic that the Grant was termed ‘Amicable’ implying a sort of friendly loan when in fact it was unwelcomed and burdensome and evoked heavy resistance.

Question 18

What was the Treaty of London?

Answer 18

The Treaty of London in 1518 was a non-aggression pact between the major Europoean nations. Including France, England, Holy Roman Empire, the Papacy, Spain, Burgundy and the Netherlands all who agreed not to attack one another and to come to the aid of any that were under attack.

Question 19

What was the Field of Cloth of Gold?

Answer 19

It was a site in Balinghem between Ardres in France and Guines in the then-English Pale of Calais that hosted a summit from 7 to 24 of June in 1520, between King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France.

Question 20

Who was Catherine of Aragon?

Answer 20

She was the Queen of England from June 1509 until may 1533 as the first wife of King Henry VIII; she was previously Princess of Wales as the wife of Henry’s elder brother Arthur.

Question 21

Catherine of Aragon Succession Problem.

Answer 21

Catherine had many failed attempts to give birth to a legitimate male heir. Despite Henry’s diabetes theory it does not explain the many tragic miscarriages, stillbirths and early deaths of his children. Catherine had atleast six pregnancies (and more that ended in early miscarriages), so she was not infertile neither was Henry.

Question 22

Henry’s reasons for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon?

Answer 22

One reason was because Catherine was well into her forties and it became evident she was past childbearing age. Having only a daughter was not good enough for Henry. Desperately seeking a son to lay claim to his throne, Henry began a relationship with Anne Boleyn, hoping she would be able to give him the son he desired. However, Anne insisted the only way she would be with him was if they were married and she became his queen. Henry was infatuated with her, often writing her love letters this is another reason which motivated Henry’s annulment.

Question 23

Were annulments allowed?

Answer 23

The Pope had previously allowed annulements in multiple cases, including Henry’s own sister. Margaret of Scotland in 1527. However, Henry’s case was not straightforward as he believed it to be.

Question 24

Why did Thomas Wolsey fall from Power in 1529?

Answer 24

Wolsey fell from Power because he and all of his agents couldn’t persuade Pope Clement VIII to grant an annulment for Henry. Even after Wolsey’s death Henry VIII had to break away from the Catholic Church for the divorce to be granted. Wolsey had made many enemies over the time of his rise to power. Being Henry’s chief minister, chancecellor, a Cardinal and a Papal Legate. It was suggested that some nobles like the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk joined together in order to bring Wolsey down.