Ministers

• Who was Wolsey's father and what was his occupation?

  Wolsey was the son of an Ipswich butcher.
• Why were Wolsey's lowly origins significant in his relationship with the nobility?

  His lowly origins made him unpopular with the nobility but meant he would not be a threat to the king.
• What was Henry VIII's relationship with Wolsey?

  Henry VIII made Wolsey and could unmake him.
• What position did Wolsey hold at Magdalen College, Oxford?

  He became bursar of Magdalen College, Oxford.
• What role did Wolsey serve in Henry VII's Council?

  He was appointed as almoner, distributing food and money to the poor on the king's behalf.
• What significant military event did Wolsey organize in 1513?

  He was the main organizer of Henry's great expedition to France.
• What bishoprics were awarded to Wolsey in 1514?

  He was rewarded with the Bishoprics of Lincoln and Tournai.
• What position did Wolsey achieve in 1515?

  He was made Chancellor of England and a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.
• What honor was Wolsey granted by the Pope in 1524?

  The Pope agreed to make Wolsey legate a latere for life.
• What happened to Wolsey in 1529?

  He was dismissed as Chancellor and sent to York.
• When did Wolsey die?

  He died in 1530.
• Why did Henry VIII give Wolsey so much power?

  Henry VIII did not wish to spend time on the day-to-day business of government.
• How did Henry VIII's position as king differ from that of his father?

  Henry VIII's position was secure with no powerful rival claimants during his reign.
• What military ambitions did Henry VIII have?

  He wished to pursue military adventures, especially expeditions to conquer France.
• Who did Henry VIII see as his rivals?

  He saw Francis I of France and Charles V as rivals.
• What were some of Henry VIII's interests outside of politics?

  He enjoyed hunting, sports, feasting, music, intellectual pursuits, and court affairs.
• What role did Wolsey's patrons play in his success?

  Archbishop Warham and Bishop Fox saw Wolsey as a 'safe pair of hands' and were eager to retire.
• How was Wolsey perceived in terms of his administrative abilities?

  Wolsey was a very able man with a real appetite for administration.
• How did Henry VIII view the nobility's role at Court?

  Henry liked to have the nobility around him but did not wish them to exercise real power.
• What was the significance of Wolsey's accumulation of offices?

  Wolsey's accumulation of offices was unique but similar to Cardinal Morton during Henry VII's reign.
• How did Wolsey serve as a scapegoat for Henry VIII?

  Wolsey could act as a convenient scapegoat when things went wrong, such as during the Amicable Grant and the Divorce Crisis.
• What were the results of Wolsey's tenure of office?

  Wolsey relieved the king of tedious business and carried out the king's wishes in foreign policy.
• What was the impact of the nobility's influence after 1513?

  After 1513, the nobility were less influential in government.
• What title was Wolsey given in relation to his power?

  Wolsey was seen as alter rex, exercising quasi-regal powers under the king.
• How did Wolsey's work ethic compare to that of Henry VII?

  Wolsey worked very hard at the business of government, operating similarly to Henry VII but with more limited authority.
• What was the role of clerics in government during Henry VIII's reign?

  Clerics like Wolsey, Warham, and Tunstall continued to play an important part in government.
• Who was executed for treason in 1520?

  Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, was tried and executed for treason.
• What were the circumstances surrounding Buckingham's execution?

  The charges against Buckingham were flimsy, and he was convicted by a new court of peers led by Norfolk.
• How did the execution of Buckingham serve as a reminder to the nobility?

  This episode reminded the nobility of Henry's power.
• What role did the nobility play in foreign affairs and war?

  The nobility played an important part in foreign affairs and war.
• What significant event took place in 1520 involving Henry VIII and France?

  All celebrated peace with France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520.
• What military actions did Henry VIII take against France?

  Henry VIII invaded France in 1513, 1523, and 1544.
• What battles did Henry VIII fight against the Scots?

  Henry VIII fought in the Battle of Flodden in 1513 and the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542.
• Why did the nobility not want to do Wolsey's job?

  They realized how important Wolsey was to Henry VIII and could not afford to upset the king.
• How did Norfolk and Suffolk view Wolsey?

  Norfolk and Suffolk did not like Wolsey but were not constantly plotting against him.
• What caused the overthrow of Wolsey regarding the divorce issue?

  The overthrow of Wolsey over the divorce issue was caused by the king, not the nobility.
• What was Wolsey's hope after his dismissal?

  Wolsey hoped to be reinstated after his dismissal.
• How did Wolsey compare to the nobility in terms of political skills?

  Wolsey was a great politician and better than the nobility at flattering Henry.
• What fear did Henry VIII retain from his father regarding the nobility?

  Henry retained a residual fear of the nobility inherited from his father.
• How did the nobility differ from those during the Wars of the Roses?

  Henry VIII's nobility was a 'court' nobility without great landed estates and armed men.