Henry VIII - Government and Parliment

Question 1

What did Henry’s early years see?

Answer 1

Continuity - he had inherited a strong and efficient central and local government structure, staffed by able administrators (many of which continued in office under Henry VIII)

Question 2

What change took place in 1514?

Answer 2

By 1514 conciliar government had broken down because of disagreements between impulsive Henry and his more conservative councillors (over war in France or Henry’s preference to surround himself with younger courtiers)

Question 3

From 1514-1529 who did Henry rely on?

Answer 3

Relied on Wolsey to manage government effectively (his influence derived more from close relationship with the king that from formal positions - he complemented Henry’s ‘hands off’ approach to the details of policy-making)

Question 4

What happened between 1529-1532?

Answer 4

Wolsey’s downfall brought a return to conciliar government

Question 5

What was significant between 1532-1540?

Answer 5

Cromwell rose to power as chief minister by 1532 and dominated royal government for the rest of 1530’s

Question 6

What happened after 1540 until 1547?

Answer 6

Following Cromwell’s fall conciliar government was restored but in a new form (a new Privy Council emerged with fixed membership and recorded proceedings - within this power lay with the conservatives)

Question 7

How did parliament grow in importance in Henry VIII’s reign?

Answer 7

The ‘Reformation Parliament’ dealt with Henry’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon and reformed the Church.
Henry also used Parliament to grant extraordinary revenue to finance wars - primary reason
Parliament could also advice but neither Henry VII or Henry VIII in his early years saw the need to ask Parliament for advice
Grew 1529-36 (Ref parliament) as the initial reason for calling another parliament (dealing with Wolsey) died with him, attention turned to divorce and the church
Divorce and break from Rome accomplished using Statue Law (parliament) whose supremacy over canon law was established

Question 8

How was the role of the Privy Chamber extended during the early years of Henry VIII’s rule?

Answer 8

It was established in Henry VII’s reign but under Henry VIII, The kings ‘minions’ (young courtiers who enjoyed Henry’s favour) became Gentleman of the Privy Chamber, transforming their status and that of the privy chamber
This was one area which before 1519 lay outside Wolsey’s immediate control

Question 9

Who was Thomas Wolsey?

Answer 9

A churchman of humble origins

Question 10

What about Wolsey impressed Henry and what did this lead to?

Answer 10

His organisational abilities (especially in the French campaign) so he rose to become Archbishop of York in 1514 , a cardinal in 1515 and papal legate (Pope’s personal representative) in 1518
Wolsey (certainly in early years) had the unbelievable to give the king precisely what he wanted or to convince the king of what he assumed he wanted

Question 11

When was Wolsey appointed Lord Chancellor by Henry and what did this mean?

Answer 11

1515 - put him in control of royal government and gave him immense power as all other courtiers had to go through him to speak to the king

Question 12

During the years of Wolsey’s chancellorship what did domestic policy focus on?

Answer 12

Strengthening royal authority and raising finance (particularly to support Henry’s wars with France and Scotland)

Question 13

As Lord Chancellor what was Wolsey responsible for?

Answer 13

Overseeing the legal system and promoting royal authority by enforcing law and order

Question 14

What was Wolsey’s role on the court of chancery?

Answer 14

He was head of it and had the right to preside over the court of chancery - he tried to use this power to uphold ‘fair’ justice in problems relating to enclosure of open fields for sheep farming, contracts and land left to others in wills
He wasn’t a lawyer but at Lord Chancellor was responsible for overseeing the legal system

Question 15

From 1516 what did Wolsey extend the use of?

Answer 15

The court of Star Chamber

Question 16

What was the court of Star Chamber?

Answer 16

An offshoot from the king’s council established in Henry VII’s rule 1487 . It was the centre of both government and legal system - used to increase cheap and fair justice and heard cases of alleged misconduct by people who were dominant in their localities and private lawsuit

Question 17

What two other legal changes took place under Wolsey as chancellor?

Answer 17

His most distinctive legal contribution - Local law officers were appointed to enforce royal law
Encouraged the use of the star chamber for private lawsuits (proved too successful as forced to set up overflow tribunals)
The authority of the Crown over regional councils was extended
Permanent committee which he set up in 1519 became the ancestor of the court of requests - dealing with cases involving the poor
His motive was to increase cheap and fair justice

Question 18

What did Wolsey use instead of local commissioners to assess taxpayers wealth for raising subsidies - with the risk they would be too generous to local nobility (parliamentary taxation/ extraordinary revenue) + what were the consequences?

Answer 18

Set up a national committee which he appointed and himself headed
With direct and realistic assessments of taxpayers wealth, the nations revenue base became much more realistic
In this way W raised extraordinary revenues for war in France but it proved insufficient leading to A-grant

Question 19

What did Wolsey do in 1525 when extraordinary revenue raised proved insufficient to finance Henry’s war in France?

Answer 19

He tried to raise unparliamentary taxation called the Amicable Grant of 1525 - this was in theory a voluntary gift to the king from his subjects - It was actually a heavy tax imposed without parliaments approval.

Question 20

What was the outcome of Wolsey’s attempt to raise Amicable Grant?

Answer 20

It caused widespread resistance and had to be abandoned

Question 21

What did Wolsey introduce in 1526 to raise money for the king?

Answer 21

Eltham Ordinances - apparently aimed to reduce royal household expenditure by reforming the Privy Chambers finances - through this Wolsey also succeeded in reducing the Privy Chamber’s influence as he reduced the number of gentlemen in the P-Chamber (the one area of government he didn’t have control)
He also secured the removal of Henry’s Groom of the Stool, Sir William Compton, replacing him with the more compliant Henry Norris

Question 22

What was the ‘King’s Great Matter’?

Answer 22

Concerned the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon - could only be granted by the pope

Question 23

What reasons did Henry have for the divorce?

Answer 23

By the mid 1520’s he had no male heir, only one surviving daughter and Catherine was passed child-bearing age so feared for the kingdom should he die without a male heir - he even considering legitimising his son Henry Fitzroy (from his mistress) out of desperation but it’s unlikely this would have succeeded
He was in love with Anne Boleyn (niece of Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk) who was unwilling to be a mistress

Question 24

What happened in 1525 with the annulment?

Answer 24

Henry asked Wolsey to secure a papal dispensation for the annulment of his marriage to Catherine providing biblical justification that his marriage to his brothers widow had been illegal in the sight of God

Question 25

What happened in 1527 with the annulment?

Answer 25

Wolsey (as Papal Legate) called a fake court to 'try' Henry for living in sin with his supposed wife (Henry agreed) - Henry readily admitted to this But Catherine refused to accept the court's verdict and in accordance with canon law appealed to the Pope

Question 26

After Catherine appealed to Pope Clement VII why was he reluctant to cooperate with Wolsey?

Answer 26

Catherine's nephew (Charles V - HRE and king of Spain) fiercely opposed the annulment and in May 1527 Charles' troops, entered Rome, sacked the city and took the Pope prisoner as the emperor was not prepared to see him family insulted

Question 27

What happened in 1529 with the annulment?

Answer 27

After 2 years of fruitless diplomacy the Pope finally sent an envoy (Cardinal Campeggio) to hear the case along with Wolsey in a legatine court in London The hearing was opened in June but Campeggio adjourned it in July without agreeing to the annulment Sealing Wolsey's fate as he'd failed to get the annulment (Wolsey had been aware his fate rested on this and as was the Pope but all the Pope could do was play for time which frustrated Henry further)

Question 28

In October 1529 what was Wolsey charged with and was it expected?

Answer 28

Having failed to achieve an annulment Wolsey was charge with praemunire (using papal authority against the crown) so he retired and surrendered his possessions to the king (including Hampton Court) His downfall was sudden but not totally unexpected as he was already unpopular for forcing the 1523 subsidy through parliament and imposing the amicable grant - former associated began distancing themselves from him.

Question 29

What happened with Wolsey in 1530?

Answer 29

On 4th of November 1530 he was arrested but died at Leicester Abbey on the 29th, before he could be tried and executed Henry continues with his 'great matter' using scholars such as Thomas Cranmer(rewarded with Archbishop of Canterbury in 1532) to put the theological case for annulment

Question 30

What are actually not actual separate entities despite much suggestion?

Answer 30

The Court, the Council and the Privy Chamber - people could be members of more than one (gentlemen of Privy Chamber would be members of Court)

Question 31

How many members did the Privy Council have and what was its job - did Henry take part?

Answer 31

About 20 members appointed by the King - handled routine members of state Henry drew up agendas but never attended meetings

Question 32

What was the Court?

Answer 32

All persons who were in attendance of the King on any given day - The Court moved from place to place with the King

Question 33

What was the Privy Chamber?

Answer 33

Part of the Household - head of PC = Groom of the Stool | Gentlemen of PC = attended to King's most intimate requests

Question 34

What was the dry stamp and how many people had access to it?

Answer 34

A forged Kings signature - only ever given to 3 men at a time - impression of kings signature pressed onto document and outlined with ink

Question 35

What is a faction?

Answer 35

A group of people who sought to advance shared interests, either positive or negative (e.g gaining titles for themselves or denying them to rivals)

Question 36

What was the longest standing faction during Henry's reign and one another example?

Answer 36

Aragonese - supported the rights and position of Catherine of Aragon Boleyn faction - orchestrated the demise of Wolsey because he could not / would not obtain a divorce for Catherine and Henry to enable him to marry Anne

Question 37

What is patronage?

Answer 37

A way of the King rewarding people who had earned his favour including titles and money

Question 38

What four sections can government under Henry be divided into?

Answer 38

``` 1509-1514 = early years 1514-1520 = ascendancy of Wolsey 1530-1540 = ascendancy of Cromwell 1540-1547= end of the reign ```

Question 39

Who did Henry arrest 2 days after his fathers death?

Answer 39

Empson and Dudley - they were executed 16 months later

Question 40

What did Henry do about bonds at the start of his reign?

Answer 40

Some cancelled as a gesture of Goodwill but most maintained which didn't expire until the 1520's

Question 41

What message did the execution of Edmund de-la Pole In 1513 send out?

Answer 41

That perceived threats would be dealt with seriously as Edmunds brother - Richard had taken up arms with the French against whom Henry was about to wage war

Question 42

What was the act of resumption 1515?

Answer 42

Wolsey wanted to increase revenue from crown lands as many had been granted away at the beginning of Henry VIII's reign - this act returned some of the lands to the crown

Question 43

What changes did Wolsey make to the church?

Answer 43

As Papal Legate he had precedence over the Archbishop of Canterbury He showed some reforming intentions that came to little Dissolved 30 religious houses and used proceeds to build Oxford and Ipswich colleges Church became more centralised under his control and Churchmen more used to Crown orders

Question 44

What did Henry VIII do to many of Henry VII's political prisoners?

Answer 44

He released many of them - most famous being William Courtenay (imprisoned for supporting Edmund de la Pole - this pardon represented move from old monarch to generous new one

Question 45

How do we know that parliament was important to Henry?

Answer 45

He was there for 19/27 parliamentary sessions held in his reign and was present for more than six more Although before 1529 he only summoned it in 1510, 1512, 1515 ,1523

Question 46

What did Wolsey do in 1525 when Henry wanted to invade France again?

Answer 46

Introduced Amicable Grant (demanded 1/6 of the income of laymen and 1/3 of wealthy Clergy) - created uprisings and Henry VIII forced to retreat

Question 47

What was anticlericalism?

Answer 47

In 1512 Parliament passed an act limiting the benefit of clergy to men in holy orders - lead to arguments

Question 48

What was Wolsey's view of parliament?

Answer 48

He had little regard for it - saw it as an obstacle - visited only once in his 14 years (to grant a subsidy in 1523)

Question 49

Who had been Wolsey's mentor?

Answer 49

Richard Fox - got him on royal council in 1510 - superseded Fox who resigned in 1513

Question 50

What did Wolsey see money as?

Answer 50

A way of gratifying the king - had no real financial limits

Question 51

How much power is it thought Norfolk had?

Answer 51

Most powerful person after Wolsey

Question 52

Who recommended Wolsey to Henry?

Answer 52

Nafan appointed Wolsey as his Chaplain then recommended him to Henry who appointed him royal Chaplain

Question 53

Why did Henry and Wolsey work as a parternship for 15 years?

Answer 53

Despite this being resented by many - the King wanted a minister to accomplish his 'will and pleasure' and Wolsey triumphantly succeeded

Question 54

What problem did amicable grant cause? (Wolsey's fault)

Answer 54

Led to a tax revolt so England had to switch from alliance with Charles V against France to an alliance with France against Charles V- jeopardised English trade and put Henry on wrong side of politics

Question 55

What accusation spread about Wolsey as he grew more wealthy and how wealthy was he?

Answer 55

That he wanted to be an 'Alter Rex' or other king and about ten times richer than his nearest rival and ion terms of disposable income arguably richer than the king himself

Question 56

What were Henry's reason for annulment?

Answer 56

Found an interest in Anne Boleyn Henry had failed to provide a surviving, legitimate son with Catherine - needed a male heir to protect England Felt his marriage had been sinful in the eyes of God so argued the papal dispensation granted by Pope Julius had been invalid

Question 57

What was much oh Henry's case built on?

Answer 57

'The word of God' the bible, Leviticus states "if a man takes his brothers wife it is an impurity, he has uncovered his brothers nakedness , they shall be childless" - Catherine had been married to Arthur

Question 58

What influence did Anne Boleyn have on the annulment?

Answer 58

She refused any outcome other than her coming queen of England - learnt from her sisters mistake Pressure brought to court by the Boleyn faction was enough to leave Catherine with few supporters By end of 1529 she was Henry's constant companion(while Catherine still Queen Anne played main role in court

Question 59

What impact/views did Catherine of Aragon have over the annulment?

Answer 59

She was a true catholic and in eyes of catholic church marriage was a sacrament and once joined a husband and wife couldn't be separated Produced a strong defence - refusing to retreat into a nunnery as Henry had hoped Her marriage with Arthur hadn't been consummated and there had been papal dispensation to marry Henry so the biblical ban didn't apply

Question 60

What did Fisher do?

Answer 60

Write 7 books with convincing theological argument to support the marriage She had the biggest impact in court and endeavoured to prove that her marriage with Henry had been consummated

Question 61

What had Henry expected Wolsey to do and what did Wolsey do?

Answer 61

Henry believed that as Papal Legate and Cardinal Wolsey would achieve the annulment relatively easily Wolsey was willing to attempt to gain the annulment despite the fact it meant promoting the interests of Duke of Norfolk (his political rival in the council) He petitioned to the pope to reverse the permission which had been granted by her predecessor

Question 62

Who opposed the annulment?

Answer 62

Charles prevented the pope granting it in support of Catherine Catherine supporters argued a lack of evidence Catherine was determined in her argument and wouldn't just go to a nunnery

Question 63

Who was Thomas Cromwell?

Answer 63

A lawyer who had come to Henry's attention while working under Wolsey - his skills engineered the break from Rome and he became invaluable to Henry By 1532 - king's chief minister

Question 64

What has Cromwell been credited with?

Answer 64

Revolutionising government by achieving royal supremacy through acts of parliament - enhancing its status. Also helped to give statue law (parliamentary) precedence over canon law (church)

Question 65

What did Cromwell change in government and what is an example of this?

Answer 65

Replaced the personal approach with a more bureaucratic approach. Involved creating departments controlled by rules e.g. Court of Augmentations and Court of First Fruits and Tenths which were established to look after Henry's income from the church were subject to scrutiny

Question 66

How did Cromwell change the composition of the Privy Council and what did this increase ?

Answer 66

He reduced the number to 20 men who took responsibility for the business of government This increased efficiency and more value was placed on talent as opposed to personal status within government

Question 67

How was Cromwell involved in Henry's marriages?

Answer 67

When Henry's relationship with Anne Boleyn broke down Cromwell made the case for her adultery He helped negotiate the marriage with Jane Seymour who finally produced a male heir (Edward in 1537) but died in childbirth

Question 68

What did Anne Boleyn's execution in May 1536 follow and what was Henry's position after this

Answer 68

The death of Catherine of Aragon in January - made her more vulnerable In Catholic eyes Henry was now a widower and free to remarry - he already had his eye on one of Anne's ladies-in-waiting, Jane Seymour

Question 69

What did Cromwell's fall follow?

Answer 69

The failure of Henry's fourth marriage to German Princess , Anne of Cleaves - following the death of Jane, Cromwell had arranged this to reconcile Henry with the League of Schmalkalden (an organisation of German princesses and free cities within the HRE who supported Martin Luther so to suit his foreign policy By 1540 his influence declining anyway but there was a catalyst

Question 70

What was Cromwell then tried for?

Answer 70

Treason and heresy and executed in July 1940.

Question 71

What else happened on the same day as Cromwell's execution and then two days later?

Answer 71

Henry married Catherine Howard (niece of Duke or Norfolk) Two days later - the message that the Protestant Reformation cause was in tatters was reinforced by the burning for heresy of three Protestant theologians - Henry demonstrated his even-handedness by ensuring the execution on the same day of three Catholic Priests who had been imprisoned for six years for treason in denying the royal supremacy

Question 72

What did Henry do to government 1540-1547?

Answer 72

Revived conciliar government but different as the fall of Cromwell saw the emergence of the Privy Council with fixed membership (supported by a secretary keeping a formal record of proceedings) and in 1540 power lay with conservatives (at least temporarily) anxious to halt further religious change such as Stephen Gardiner and Norfolk but again marital issues help shift the balance of power

Question 73

What was Norfolk's influence threatened by?

Answer 73

In his eagerness to benefit politically, Norfolk had overlooked the fact Catherine Howard was already sexually experienced - there were then allegations of an affair between Catherine and her distant cousin Thomas Culpepper - Catherine and the lady of her bedchamber were executed for treason in Feb 1542 with some of Catherine's relatives also disgraced While Norfolk distanced himself from this he was wounded politically Norfolk's problems reinforced by the king's sixth marriage to Katherine Parr - as a Protestant she posed a threat to his ambitions so he tried, unsuccessfully, to embroil her in an accusation of heresy

Question 74

What happened as Henry's health deteriorated?

Answer 74

Factional rivalries of those offering different political and religious views began to rise in a bid to control his succession (whoever was most influential in King's last months likely to be in a position to dominate under his successor)

Question 75

When did Henry die and who was the leading contender for power?

Answer 75

``` January 1547 Edward Seymour (Norfolk's rival) leading contender for power - the king's new uncle ```

Question 76

What act did Cromwell pass in 1533?

Answer 76

Act of restraint of appeals - no appeals could be made to rome against decisions of the church in England as it declared that the King had an imperial jurisdiction (official powers to make legal decisions belonged to the king and couldn't be challenged by another power) not subject to any foreign power (e.g. papacy) (Catherine couldn't appeal about annulement)

Question 77

What was the act of succession?

Answer 77

1534- Annulled henry's marriage to Catherine and vested the succession in Anne's children

Question 78

What and when was the Act of Supremacy?

Answer 78

1534 nov- gave legislative force to the royal supremacy - King declared supreme head of the church in England - pope's authority no longer recognised in England - break from Rome

Question 79

What and when was the treason act and an example of its use?

Answer 79

1534- nov- became treasonable to call Henry a heretic - used against opponents of royal supremacy (didn't prosecute many ordinary people who made incautious remarks - used to target high profile victims e.g. Sir Thomas More - convicted and executed in July 1535 for denying royal supremacy

Question 80

What was the act in restraint of annates?

Answer 80

1534- allowed the annates to be transferred from Pope to king (strengthened kings position - special court set up to administer this)

Question 81

What were the first and second suppression acts?

Answer 81

1536 and 1541 - dissolved the monasteries - confiscation of church land to crown vastly increased the wealth and power of the crown

Question 82

What were some of the uses of Parliament in Henry VIII's reign?

Answer 82

Jan 1510 - abolished Council Learned Feb 1512-14 - extraordinary revenue for invasion of S and F and Anticlerical act 1529-36 - 'Reformation parliament' 1536 - New act of succession 1539-40 - religious legislation and extraordinary revenue with threat of invasion

Question 83

How did Wolsey and Cromwell differ in their use of parliament?

Answer 83

Wolsey was reluctant to use it whereas Cromwell exploited its legislative possibilities much more thoroughly so parliament met much more frequently in the second half of Henry's reign

Question 84

What factors combined to lead to the breakdown of conciliar government in 1514?

Answer 84

Henry became disenchanted with the reluctance of some of his father's councillors to support war with F As became more accustom to governing, he became more his own man, asserting his right to control decision making He surrounded himself with young like-minded courtiers who reinforced his suspicions of the 'old-guard' He became impressed by the organisational skills of Thomas Wolsey, whose effective management of the French campaign earned him royal gratitude

Question 85

What impact did Wolsey have on the Privy chamber and did its members like him?

Answer 85

Collectively, the minions distrusted Wolsey who set himself the task of neutralising their influence In 1519 he secured the removal of the minions and replaced them with his own supporters but most of the minions managed to recover their positions The P-chamber thus retained some of its prestige and influence as the one part of government outside Wolsey's immediate control

Question 86

What was the problem with the court of chancery?

Answer 86

It became too popular and justice was slow since it became clogged up with too many cases

Question 87

What was Wolsey's use of subsidy like?

Answer 87

Under Henry VII it was expected taxpayers would provide extraordinary revenue - most effectively achieved by raising subsidies Wolsey did not 'invent' the subsidy but he made a substantial change to the way subsidies were collected Subsidy = grant issued by parliament to the sovereign State needs

Question 88

What is believed about Wolsey's relationship with Parliament?

Answer 88

That he didn't manage it well - this insensitivity clear in 1523 Parliament called to grant the subsidy needed to finance the renewal of war against F Instead of the mostly supportive parliaments of Henry VII's reign this one was highly critical of Wolsey's financial demands (so much so he proved unable to secure all he wanted) with Sir Thomas More (speaker at the HoC) asking for Henry's forgiveness for the boisterousness of some of the members, while defending their right to be critical

Question 89

What is the Groom of the Stool?

Answer 89

The most intimate of the monarchs courtiers, he became a man in which much confidence was placed an royal secrets were shared as a matter of course

Question 90

What are the two opinions of the reason for the Eltham ordinances?

Answer 90

1) - That the purpose of the ordinances was primarily financial as not only did several members of the privy-chamber lose their posts but many humble household servants suffered the same fate 2) That it instead reflected Wolsey's fear that the amicable grant might make him so unpopular that he was in danger of losing his political influence over the King

Question 91

Did Cromwell enjoy the same influence as Wolsey?

Answer 91

He didn't have the same range of influence but he came to dominate royal government for the rest of the 1530's (much to the frustration of Duke of Norfolk)

Question 92

What made Cromwell's task with the divorce slightly easier?

Answer 92

The church had become weaker: It had been weakened by the humanist criticisms of Colet, Erasmus and Anticlerical satire from Simon Fish It's claims to legal supremacy had been challenged in 1528 by lawyer Christopher st German who asserted the superiority of English law over Canon law Henry had been supplied with more intellectual justifications by means of the Collectanea Satis Copisa ( a collection of historical documents compiled by Cranmer and Edward Foxe which justified the kings divorce in historical and legal principles To add to pressure on the papacy, H had sought and received some expert opinions on his marital status from continental universities, which favoured his position

Question 93

In what ways did Henry and Cromwell attempt to pressurise the Pope?

Answer 93

1531 - Clergy collectively accused of praemunire and fined (began a sustained attack on the clergy and forced the king to acknowledge that the king was protector and supreme head of the English church so far as the law of Christ allowed) 1532 - Act in conditional Restraint of Annates - (designed to increase pressure on papacy by withholding the first years income from the office of bishop which the papacy had previously enjoyed) 1532 - HoC supplication against ordinaries (designed to increase anti-clerical pressure in HoC) 1532 - Formal submission of the clergy to Henry (provoked resignation of sir Thomas More as Lord Chancellor)

Question 94

What is are annates?

Answer 94

Revenue paid to the Pope by a bishop or other cleric on his appointment - effectively church taxes collected in England and sent to Rome - also known as 'first fruits'

Question 95

What does Supplication against the Ordinaries and submission of the clergy mean?

Answer 95

A supplication was a form of petition - in this case addressed to the King by the HoC and directed against alleged abuses of ordinary jurisdiction i.e. the jurisdiction exercised in church law by bishops and archibishops Submission of clergy = formal surrender of the Church's independent law-making function

Question 96

In what way did Anne take matters into her own hands with the annulment and what made matters easier?

Answer 96

By consenting to have sexual relations with Henry - she was gambling as by becoming pregnant she would force Henry to take decisive action. This would require open defiance of the Pope by both Henry and the authorities of the English church Made easier by the death of Archbishop of Canterbury William Warham as he was replaced by Thomas Cranmer, who although received authority from Rome would also become a leader of the reformation It was known by December 1932 that Anne was pregnant and the couple married in a secret ceremony in Jan 1533 (according to Catholic Church, the marriage was invalid)

Question 97

When was the marriage annulled and what happened shortly after?

Answer 97

Annulled in May 1533 by Archbishop Cranmer Anne was crowned shortly afterwards, her child was born legitimate on 7th of September, however, it was a girl so succession problem not solved

Question 98

Why was the legal basis of the break from Rome strengthened through the act of succession in 1534?

Answer 98

It declared that Henry's marriage to Catherine was void The succession should be vested in the children of his marriage to Anne To deny the validity of Henry's marriage to Anne was treasonable An oath should be taken to confirm an individuals acceptance of the new marriage

Question 99

What act of Cromwell and Henry's has been viewed as typically cynical?

Answer 99

Nov 1534 - The Act Annexing First Tenths to the Crown - the annates paid by a bishop which had been 'intolerable' when paid to the pope, became acceptable when paid to the King Increased the financial burden on the clergy and strengthened the Royal Supremacy

Question 100

As Henry now had control of the Church in England what would religious policies now be based on?

Answer 100

Royal whim e.g. the dissolution of the monasteries

Question 101

Why did Henry's relationship with Anne Boleyn break down and how?

Answer 101

Firstly Anne's relationship with Cromwell publicly broke down - Cromwell (insecure) felt his relationship with the King and his life were threatened) - he allied with the conservatives (as Anne had been an advocate of church reform and had made H more protestant) and they persuaded H that Anne's flirting had let to adultery Accused of adultery and incest (for wife of the monarch this constituted treason) - executed on 19th May 1536

Question 102

Why was the marriage to German, Protestant princess, Anne of Cleaves a failure?

Answer 102

It was an unhappy partnership - Anne proved unsuitable to Henry personally and the match had become unwelcome politically - it was quickly annulled, destroying what remained of Cromwell's credibility to the King

Question 103

What was Norfolk's role in Cromwell's downfall?

Answer 103

The failure of the marriage gave enemies like the Duke of Norfolk their chance - Norfolk again aided by having a niece (Catherine Howard) at court and free to wed the king Cromwell accused of heresy and treason in a council meeting and executed 28th July 1540

Question 104

What was Henry's power like in his final years after the fall of Cromwell?

Answer 104

Some debate on the power wielded by the king - some see him as being firmly in control but seen by some historians as weak and prey to the factions which existed at court

Question 105

What was the final problem for Norfolk's power at the end of Henry's reign and what were the consequences for him?

Answer 105

Norfolk's rival (Edward Seymour) could play his trump card as the uncle of heir Edward Norfolk also compromised by the overambition of his son Henry Howard (Earl of Surrey) who threatened the King's throne and was executed for treason The dying king consented to Norfolk's death but he was saved by Henry's death on 28th Jan 1547 - the new council didn't want to begin the reign with bloodshed Norfolk remained prisoner in the tower for the whole of Edward's reign

Question 106

What is the contrast in the view of Henry's overall success?

Answer 106

Either seen negatively as a bloated and unpredictable tyrant who destroyed much of what was positive about English life, or positively as the embodiment of English national identity and the person responsible for transformational and necessary change

Question 107

What is the historiography of Wolsey like?

Answer 107

Contemporary judgements were hostile with some claiming 'he aroused against himself the hatred of the whole country' and that the fact Hampton court was more important than the kings court is a monument to his arrogance - much evidence against W came from enemies Recently historians more willing to acknowledge good qualities- John Guy believes he was the most gifted administrator for over 300 years but also criticises him

Question 108

What were monopolies?

Answer 108

The exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service.