Henry VIII Government Flashcards
(126 cards)
1
Q
Eric Ive’s interpretation of Henry VIII’s Early Government
A
He argued that Henry VIII liked to have an overview of his government but he was happy to let others do the mundane work for him
2
Q
how did Henry VII’s treatment of the nobility differ from Henry VIII
A
Henry VII controlled the ambitions of the nobility more by threatening their status and wealth than by making concessions to them. Henry VIII’s attitude to them was different from the start
3
Q
what did Henry VIII do to relax the treatment of the nobility
A
He disbanded the council learned in law and cancelled 175 bonds and recognisances that were owed
4
Q
what did Henry mostly call parliament for
A
Henry mostly called parliament to secure revenue
5
Q
two functions of parliament
A
- Grant extraordinary revenue
- Pass laws
6
Q
how many times was parliament summoned
A
Before 1529, Henry VIII only summoned parliament 4 times
7
Q
did he use JPs
A
yes
8
Q
what did he use JPs for
A
He used JPs to carry out his wishes in local government rather than relying on the nobility
9
Q
what years were councillor government used
A
1509-1514
10
Q
what did the council do
A
They handled the routine matters of state. Henry did not attend the meetings but he drew up the agenda and decided what they would discuss.
11
Q
how many people were in the council
A
20
12
Q
why did the council not last long
A
- Henry became disenchanted with the reluctance of his father’s senior councillors to support a war with France
- As he became more used to ruling, he increasingly asserted his right to control decision making
- Henry surrounded himself with younger, like-minded courtiers rather than his father’s councillor who echoed his ideas and for that reason, Wolsey became a dominant political figure
- He became impressed with Wolsey’s skill. His successful management of the French campaign earned him Henry’s gratitude
13
Q
how was the privy chamber changed
A
It was an area of government which before 1519, lay outside Wolsey’s immediate control. Its role was extended during Henry VIII’s early years.
14
Q
who did the privy chamber include
A
It included Henry’s minions (young nobles) that had enjoyed Henry’s personal favours and the Groom of the Stool
15
Q
what was wolsey’s role
A
Chief minister aka Lord Chancellor
16
Q
date of Wolsey’s time as Lord Chancellor
A
1514-29
17
Q
why did Wolsey progress under Henry VIII
A
His organisational skills and ability allowed him to progress under Henry VIII
18
Q
wolsey’s rise to high office
A
1513- Dean of York and Bishop of Tournai
1514- Bishop of Lincoln and Archbishop of York
1515- Made Cardinal by Pope Leo X (a high-ranking position in the church, above any English churchman)
1515- Official became Lord Chancellor
1518- Appointed Papal Legate by the Pope which allowed him to deputise for the pope and exercise papal power
19
Q
what was Wolsey known as
A
Alter X - the other king as he was able to elbow aside the kings advisers and minions on the royal council
20
Q
what did Wolsey do to anyone he saw as a rival
A
He used his legal powers as Lord Chancellor and his informants to intimidate anyone he saw as a rival for example the Duke of Buckingham.
21
Q
who did Wolsey mistreat
A
The Duke of Buckingham
22
Q
what did Wolsey do the Duke of Buckingham
A
He was investigated by Wolsey in 1520 after rumours that he said Henry might not be king for too long. In 1521 he was ordered to London, and imprisoned in the tower, tried and beheaded.
23
Q
Wolsey’s personality
A
Wolsey played on the king’s insecurity to convince him to order these actions and used the Duke of Buckingham as a warning to anyone who might be trying to attack the cardinal’s power
24
Q
who did Wolsey ruin
A
Sir Amyas Paulet
25
sir amyas paulet
Wolsey had been humiliated by Sir Amyas Paulet when he was a young priest so when he became Lord Chancellor, he summoned Paulet to London on a fake charge and kept him there, he demanded his daily attendance at the court of chancery for 5 years, the case was never heard but the delays and expenses ruined Paulet
26
what can wolsey's reforms by divided into
Legal Reforms
Financial Reforms
Economic reforms
27
Wolsey's Legal Reforms
Court of Chancery
Court of Star Chamber
Courts became accessible
28
court of chancery
Wolsey was not a trained lawyer but as Lord Chancellor, he was responsible for overseeing the legal system. The chancery was the main court of equity in the land. Wolsey presided over the court and tried to use it to uphold fair justice. For example, he used the court to deal with problems relating to enclosure.
29
what was the main problem with the court of chancery
The main problem with the chancery court was that it became too popular and justice was slow since it became clogged up with many cases
30
what was Wolsey's main concern with the legal system
Wolsey's main concern was to tackle the problem of slow and unfair delivery of justice and by 1516, he was already planning reforms to the systems to improve matters
31
what was the key change to the legal system that wolsey made
One key change was that he promoted civil law, which was decisions based on natural justice and evidence rather than common law based on precedents that had not been questioned.
32
how did Wolsey change the star chamber
Wolsey strengthened the star chamber from a court established under Henry VII which had been staffed by members of the Privy Council to deal out justice on his behalf in cases involving the nobility to a centre of government and justice.
33
what crimes were the court of star chamber used for
He used it to deal with crimes such as disorder, riots, assault, fraud, corruption, trade disputes and enclosure and to attack nobles and local officials who abused their power.
34
why was wolsey seen as a friend of the poor
He encouraged commoners to bring their complaints before the court and he presided over them in person, this gave him the reputation of being a friend of the poor, especially in relation to laws against enclosure.
35
what court was used to hear cases from poor people
The court of requests was used to hear cases from poor people.
36
why was the court of star chamber popular
It was popular because of the low cost of bringing a case and because decisions were reached quickly.
37
how many cases did the Court of Star Chamber deal with
It dealt with over 120 cases each year under VIII compared with around 12 cases per year during Henry VII
38
courts and accessibility under Wolsey
Courts became accessible to the poor, normally there were high fees for putting a case to court but with Wolsey's reform anyone could bring their cases and get justice regardless of wealth and social status.
39
who were disadvantaged by Wolsey's legal reforms
The nobility
40
how did the nobility gain a disadvantage from Wolsey's legal reforms
The nobility was controlled because they were no longer superior in the courts and Wolsey did not want them dominating legal proceedings. Wolsey was not afraid to prosecute members of the nobility, especially for breaches in the laws against maintenance and affrays.
41
examples of Nobility being punished by wolsey
in 1515 the Earl of Northumberland was sent to fleet street prison
in 1516 Lord Burgavenny was accused of illegal retaining.
42
arguments that Wolsey did it for selfish reasons
Historian Keith Randell argued that Wolsey used the system to further his own interests, he used it to overturn legal decisions that adversley affected him and against people whom he a grudge on
43
how successful were legal reforms
S.T Bindoff argued that 'Wolseys administration was a period of much promise but little performance'. Wolsey started a number of cases and schemes but didn't see them through. He attempted no lasting changes and was quick to abandon his support whenever matters affected him personally or threatened his power, foreign matters took up more time.
44
john guy's description of Wolsey
arrogant and insensitive
45
wolsey's financial reforms
Tudor Subsidy
Collecting Subsidy
Eltham Ordinances
Amicable Grant
Act of Resumption 1515
46
tudor subsidy
Wolsey developed the Tudor subsidy which required parliament to calculate tax on the property of individual taxpayers. He justified this by highlighting the necessity of devising a more efficient tax and one that could be levied as well in a shorter time and in a more easy universal and impartial manner than the common tax of fifteenths and tenths which settled to a fixed sum of taxes collected with which growing inflation was not enough
47
what act was passed under the Tudor Subsidy
The Subsidy Act
48
when was the subsidy act passed
1512
49
what did the subsidy act do
The subsidy act created a more flexible and realistic subsidy, based on the ability to pay. Commissioners were dispatched to the localities to supervise assessments of wealth while graduated rates of taxes were established that placed a greater financial burden on the very rich.
50
what was the subsidy act raised for
Wolsey raised extraordinary revenue for Henry's war with France. Parliament were unhappy about Wolsey's financial demands to the extent that Wolsey often proved unable to secure all he wanted
51
when was the act to collect subsidy passed
1513
52
collecting subsidy
This was devised on the rank of individual noblemen together with a tax on the property of commoners. In 1514, the subsidy taxed wages as well as landed property without distinguishing between nobility and commoners.
53
how much was raised as a result of collecting subsidy
Between 1513 and 1516 the subsidy raised £170,000 but Wolsey had to deal with late payments from the nobility as they resented paying more tax
54
when was the Eltham Ordinances passed
1526
55
why were the Eltham ordinances introduced
Wolsey introduced these to reform the finances of the privy council
56
eltham ordinances - what did it do
Wolsey attempted to reduce the cost of running the royal household. This was a set of instructions drawn up to reform the king's court and privy chamber, including the financial system. He reduced the number of the gentlemen of the bed chamber from 12 - 6, who were Henry's personal attendants and advisors. This according to Peter Gwyns was a necessary cost-cutting exercise and would increase the efficiency of the administration. Wolsey removed Henry's Groom of the Stool - Sir William Crompton and replaced him with a loyalist Henry Noms.
57
what was Wolsey's primary concern that warranted the passing of the Eltham Ordinances
Wolsey's prime concern was to reduce the scope that others had for influencing the king and to increase the control that he could exercise over all aspects of the government. Wolsey lost interest in terms of reforming the administrative procedures and gained control over the selection of the gentlemen - he did it to increase his power base.
58
when was the amicable grant passed
1525
59
why was the amicable grant passed
Henry was determined to take France to war but needed huge funds to do this. He demanded that Wolsey devise a scheme to raise money
60
what did the Amicable Grant do
Wolsey proposed the AG to collect money from both the church and tax-payers based on the valuations of their property. He sent out commissioners to collect heavy tax that was not granted by parliament. They collected tax in the laity between 1/6th and 1/10 of the value of the goods they owned and the church/clergy at 1/3 of the value of their goods. The people were given just 10 weeks to find the necessary money. It was met with violent disruptions and many refused to pay which led to rebellion
61
failures of the amicable grant
1. It was abandoned in 1525 and no further taxation was attempted by Wolsey.
2. To many historians it marked the beginning of the end for Wolsey and Henry denied all knowledge of the grant
3. It marked a turning point in foreign policy as Wolsey sought an alliance with France instead of waging war against them
62
when was the act of resumption passed
1515
63
act of resumption
It was an act that returned some of the lands to the crown. Wolsey wanted to increase revenue from crown lands but many had been granted away at the beginning of his reign
64
Wolseys economic reforms
Wolsey took legal action against the nobility who enclosed illegally as it was responsible for rural action and depopulation.
65
what did Wolsey do against enclosure
In 1527, he launched a national inquiry into enclosed land, many of those brought to court were ordered to rebuild houses that had been destroyed and return lands to arable farming
66
motives for wanting to end the marriage to Catherine
1. Against God's Will
2. Wanted a legitimate heir
3. He loved Anne and she didn't want to be his mistress
67
Against God's Will
Henry had a growing obsession with the fact that his marriage to Catherine was against God's will. He was focused on a section of the bible. 'If a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing.... they shall be without children' Leviticus 20:21, Henry had married his brother's wife, though they did have a daughter - Mary who was born in 1516
68
Wanted a legitimate heir
Catherine had many miscarriages and had been unable to provide a male heir. Henry did have an illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy who he wanted to legitimise. He made him the Duke of Richmond, a decision made in the wake of Charles V rejection of proposed marriage to Mary. The only problem with this was that Henry needed an heir whose claim to the throne would not be disputed especially after the War of Roses
69
He loved Anne and she didn't want to be his mistress
Historians have disagreed about whether Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn and then grew tired of Catherine or Vice Versa. He began to woo her in 1526 and by 1527, he had firmly decided that he wanted a divorce. Anne made it clear that she was not prepared to be a mistress which caused Henry to be increasingly infatuated.
70
the kings great matter
The process that the King went through to annul his marriage to Catherine.
71
why was it called a great matter
It was a great matter because it was a complicated process. Wolsey tried to use a number of measures in order to have the marriage annulled which led to his fall.
72
Attempts used by Wolsey to secure the divorce
1. Scriptural Arguments
2. Diplomatic Maneovers
3. Legal Efforts
73
scriptural arguments
First, Wolsey drew up a complex line of arguments based on scriptures to justify the divorce in the eyes of the Catholic Church. He argued that the validity of Catherine's marriage to Henry in 1509, relied on Catherins' word that her marriage to Prince Arthur had never been consummated. However, if this was not the case Henry had been misled and the marriage had never been valid. He used Lev 20:21. Henry was convinced that the lack of a legitimate heir was God's punishment and he didn't want to live in sin. Wolsey was confident that he could persuade the pope to agree to the annulment. But it was not that simple, Many theologians felt that it referred to not marrying your in-law when your brother was still alive. After his death, it was a man's duty to marry her and have children on his brother's behalf as instructed in the book of Deutronomy.
74
Diplomatic Maneovers
Wolsey decided to attack the HRE, Catherine's nephew who caused an inconvenience to Henry as he didn't support the divorce. Charles V was in control of Italy. Wolsey tried to free the Pope from Charles's influence. By using an alliance with France and the renewal of warfare in Italy to distract the HRE. This policy failed because Charles was too strongly entrenched in the Italian Peninsula to be evicted by France.
75
Legal Efforts
Wolsey tried to hold the divorce hearings in England where he as Papal Legate would make the judgement. However, the pope, Clement VII, was still concerned with not wanting to offend Charles V, so although he agreed to set up a commission to hear the divorce case. He sent cardinal Campeggio to England with strict instructions to delay the hearing and to make sure that a decision was never reached. Wolsey had hoped Campeggio would be co-operative, however, he was unwell and took months to reach England, and then wanted to do everything thoroughly (stalling). When the court finally met in June 1529 to discuss the case, Catherine immediately refused to recognise it and appealed to the Pope to move the hearing to Rome - kickstarting the fall of W.
76
why was Wolsey's fall not unexpected
Wolsey's fall though sudden was not entirely unexpected, he was already unpopular for forcing the 1525 Amicable Grant and forcing the 1523 subsidy through parliament. Nobility disliked him
77
Wolsey's key failures
The collapse of the anti-Habsburg strategy in Europe
His inability to obtain the divorce wanted by the King for two years.
78
how was Wolsey charged
In June 1526, he was charged with Praeminure (working in the interests of the pope rather than the king).
79
year of Wolsey's death
1530
80
Factors leading to Wolsey's fall
1. Failure to secure the divorce from Catherine of Aragon
2. Failure to achieve Foreign Policy Aims - England was isolated and marginalised
3. The Boleyn Faction
4. Reputation and Personal Ambitions
81
the Boleyn faction
Supporters of Anne Boleyn at court blamed him for his failure to win approval for the royal divorce, According to Starkey, Wolsey had been losing control of the Royal Court in the late 1520s as the Boleyns had gained more influence there. Wolsey had no way of diminishing her access to the king. They made him out to be a papal official trying not to obtain divorce - link to Pollard's intepretation
82
Failure to achieve Foreign Policy Aims
England and France's alliance was unpopular. The nobility did not like the Anglo-France alliance and it affected trade with the low countries. Henry was put in a weak position regarding the great matter after the sack of Rome in 1527 confirmed imperial domination by Charles V of Italy and the Pope
83
who was the next Lord Chancellor
Thomas Cromwell
84
Thomas cromwell as Lord Chancellor
1532
85
what did the emergence of Cromwell do for the great matter
The emergence of Cromwell brought about a breakthrough in the Great Matter. He suggested that Henry make a break with Rome and place himself as head of the Church.
86
how was Cromwell described by Elton
He was described as starting a 'Tudor Revolution in Government'.
87
what caused Cromwell's downfall
His downfall was caused by the marriage of Henry and Anne of Cleves
88
Elton Thesis
Elton believes that Cromwell modernised the system of government into one that was distinct from the medieval ideas of personal monarchy to a bureaucratic government. However, there are questions on how far these changes were planned by Cromwell and how far the changes represented systems that were entirely new.
89
cromwell's reform of the royal council
Cromwell made it smaller and made use of skilled men rather than untrained nobility and clergy. He also changed the financial management system
90
financial management by Cromwell
Finances were previously managed in the privy chamber which gave monarchs significant control over day-to-day decisions about all aspects of income and expenditure.
91
what did Cromwell create to help finances
Cromwell created new financial institutions alongside the privy chamber to manage the new revenues generated by the break with Rome. Four new departments were created.
92
four new departments created
Court of augmentations
Court of General Surveyors
Court of First Fruits and Tenths
Court of Wards
93
court of augmentations
It controlled the land and finances formerly under the control of the Catholic Church
94
Court of General Surveyors
It initially handled some of the ex-monastic lands but was later joined by the court of augmentations
95
court of first fruits and tenths
It collected money previously sent to rome.
96
court of wards
The king had the feudal right to collect money from the estate of a minor who had inherited it.
97
another feature of Cromwell's reforms
Power of the Crown - Another feature of the debate about the significance of the 1530s has been what effect it had on the power and authority of the monarch.
98
what act did Cromwell pass to increase royal supremacy - break with rome
In the introduction of the Act in Restraint of Annates in 1533, Cromwell wrote that England was an empire and that everyone owed the King ruling under God total obedience. However, the view contrasted with the reality of England in 1533.
99
how was the king's power still limited in 1533 and what was done to change it
First, the King was subject to the pope's permission when choosing bishops and other high-ranking religious officials. Second, parts of England had 'liberties' which gave them semi-independent status. For example, Durham was governed by the bishop as a semi-independent ruler. Wales also though not independent but neither had it formally been made part of the English system of government. All this meant that royal authority was spread unevenly across the country.
100
how did Cromwell make royal authority spread more evenly
Cromwell dealt with this by using the break with Rome to extend royal power more firmly across the kingdom. - 1536 Act of Union with Wales - At the same time, an Act against Liberties and Franchises removed and restricted the special powers exercised by regional nobles in the more remote parts of the kingdom, such as those held by the bishops in Durham
101
what happened with the Role and Importance of Parliament
It increased and became more important as it played a more active role
102
how did Cromwell change the role and importance of parliament
During the 1530s, Cromwell used parliament to pass the break with Rome and strengthen royal authority in outlying regions. Until then parliament had been a regular part of government, kings were able to make laws using proclamations, parliament was mainly called to raise taxes and pass attainders and Wolsey chose not to call it.
103
what act was passed concerning proclamations
The Proclamations Act
104
when was the proclamations act passed
1539
105
what did the proclamation act do
It gave royal decree equal force with parliamentary statutes.
106
how did cromwell change the ways parliament legislated
Parliament was called in 1529 and sat for 7 years. Parliament legislated in areas of government and the church where it had never previously been involved. By the end of the 1530s, it was recognised that statute law made by the King-in-Parliament represented ultimate authority in England and Wales and could be applied to every aspect of life and society. Moreover, if any future monarchs wished to change the laws that had been made they would have to do so in co-operation with parliament. Cromwell chose to use parliament in a way that his predecessors had not because he needed the status of statue law to strengthen the changes that he was making in church and government.
107
historical debate on the extent of Cromwell's reforms - Factors
Constitutional Revolution
Political Revolution
Bureaucratic Revolution
108
constitutional revolution
Elton argues that Henry became head of the church and state and there was an extension of royal authority over Wales and the semi-independent regions. However, the crown already had significant influence over church appointments and emergency taxation
109
political revolution
King and parliament became king in parliament, increased importance of parliament - legislation for the reformation - amount of legislation, scope of legislation, procedural improvement, composition of lords. However, Parliament developed because the king needed its support. It was used less under later Tudors and Elizabeth controlled its claims to be a partner in government
110
Bureucratic Revolution
Emergence of privy council as the engine of government. Role of cromwell as co-ordinating minister rather than lord chancellor - development of departments. However, government remained essentially personal and reflected the personality and interests of the monarch. Cromwell's changes were nothing new and not all survived long term
111
John Guy's interpretation of this 'revolution in government'
He questions the causes of these changes - was it just to cope with the dissolution of the monasteries or to strengthen his own power, was it all Cromwell'? He says Cromwell wasn't a visionary reformer but a pragmatist. He prefers to see the changes in terms of an evolutionary process spanning a longer period and involving more people than simple and his tight-knit group of servants. Cromwell still used the privy chamber for finances. Henry VII and Wolsey made changes as well.
112
government in Henry VIII's last years
Henry reverts back to catholicism which brings back the councillor government which created a debate as to the actual amount of power welded in the king. On one hand, he is seen as firmly in control, on the other hand, he is seen by some historians as weak and prey to factions which existed at court. In 1540, power at least temporarily lay with the conservatives in the council such as Norfolk, Stephen Gardiner and Thomas Wriostheysley.
113
apart from being the driving force behind the revolution in government what else was Cromwell
To Elton he was a supporter of the rule of law, other have claimed that he was a tyrant working behind the scenes with secret reformers to spy on potential rivals and find evidence to support their execution
114
research to support the idea that Cromwell was a supporter of the rule of law
There were a lot of cases of treason in the 1530s with 883 people charged but only 329 executed and more than half of these were due to the pilgrimage of grace, this shows that cromwell favoured the law.
115
times cromwell bent the law
Even when he did bend the law, it was almost always when Henry was personally interested in the outcome and had made it clear to his chief minister that a guilty verdict was expected - eg More. There was harsh rule in the 1530s due to acts of parliament but there was little evidence of the use of terror or torture beyond the level that was accepted as common place.
116
cromwell's leaning towards Protestantism
Cromwells leanings towards Protestantism were sincerely held beliefs, he was seen as an ally by Protestants. He used his religious beliefs as a lever against the more conservative factions at court.
117
height of Cromwell's power
The height of his power was after he had conspired with others at court to produce evidence against Anne Boleyn through the use of false testimony and torture. Her execution in 1536 marked the loss of influence of her allies at court. After this Cromwell was firmly in control with no immediate rivals but was not as secure as W had been.
118
what did Cromwell's position rely on
Cromwell's position relied on his control of rival factions not from trust and support from the king. When in the late 1530s events at home and abroad conspired to undermine his position
119
what were the last years of Henry VIIIs reign dominated by
The last years of Henry VIII's reign were dominated by the intensification of the rivalry between the conservative and reform factions
120
what did Henry do to encourage factionalism and what does this suggest
Henry's decision not to appoint a chief minister to follow cromwell encouraged the development of factionalism so did Henry's increasingly poor health. This raises questions as to whether Henry was actually in control of events or a sickly bystander. He was aware of it and encouraged it which prevented one view of politics from dominating which makes it difficult to diminish the political influence of Henry, even in his last years he was a manipulator of courtly politics
121
how were decisions taken in the later years of Henry VIIIs reign
Some decisions were taken without him some by him. He succeeded in maintaining the authority of the crown and achieved success in France.
122
which faction gained prominence
the conservatives
123
why did the Conservatives gain prominence
They had 3 wins - 6 articles had enshrined in law their belief that religious innovation should be limited, cromwell's fall increased their access to Henry through his new wife - Catherine Howard
124
how did the conservatives lose prominence
Their success was short-lived. The first blow was the loss of Catherine she was executed in 1542. Although the Duke of Norfolk proclaimed his outrage at what his niece had done to his royal master. The incident did some serious damage to the conservative faction. Cons tried to break the friendship of Henry VIII and Cranmer in 1543 by suggesting that the arch was involved in protestant heresy. Henry rejected these and put Cranmer in charge of investigating the claims.
125
succession act 1544
Henry took steps to ensure his sons safe succession. He had dealt with the lingering possibility of rival claimants by executing the Poles, Henry also ensured that the succession was secured in law - which would go to the suffolk family after Ed, Mary and Liz.
126
succession 1546-47
Final years reformers were dominant - Seymour has built his position at court both as Prince Edward's uncle and as a successful military commander in the war against Scotland. Sir William Paget was also well trusted by Henry VIII and was one of his chief advisers from 1545 onwards. Gardiner was in decline
