Government and Parliament

• Henry VIII's first decisions as King.

  • Ordered for the arrest of Empson and Dudley within days, executed them and abolished the Council Learned. - Showing differences between him an his father as Kings.
  • Married Catherine of Aragon, June 1509. Succession.
  • Kept his father's government for the first 5 years although they clashed.- Kept them happy and avoided rebellion whilst he was still securing his consolidation.
• Henry VII's Conciliar Government from 1509-1514

  • Decisions made by the council.
  • Henry was young and compulsive, so clashed with the government often, conservative.
  • Anti-War attitudes, Henry VII required his councillors to have this approach but Henry VIII thought otherwise.
  • Archbishop of Canterbury, Richard Foxe was in government.
• The Privy Chamber and its role.

  • Consisted of Henry's personal servants.
  • The Privy Chamber was a private chamber room where only Henry's most trusted friends would meet.
  • Groom of the Stool, most important. Henry Norris, Henry's BSF
• Nobles in Henry VIII's reign

  • Good relationship
  • Disbanded the Council Learned and cancelled the 175 bods and recognisances.
  • Had grown up with many of the nobles and was friends with many of them.
  • They increased the prestige of the court.
  • Noble factions who would compete for his favour e.g Boleyn's and Howards.
• Henry VIII style of government

  • Not prepared to spend hours on details of government, had his own hobbies and preferred activities to attend to.
  • Preferred to employ chief ministers who he entrusted to govern and administer the kingdom
  • He always had the final decision, but could be manipulated.
• Henry VIII's Domestic Policy Aims

  • To extend the powers of the Crown
  • To raise sufficient revenue to support his government
  • To secure the succession
• How strong was Henry VIII's position during the early years?

  • Supported by Conciliar government made by his father

  But.. over time he became more confident in disregarding their advice to follow his own ambitions.

  • Most of the day-to-day governing, administration, and raising money was given to Wolsey who was happy to comply.
  • Good foundations left to him by his father allowed him to maintain a very strong position in his early years.
• Changes in Gov since 1485

  • Both increased powers of the monarchy.
  • Parliament and law courts in Henry VIII's reign seen as a more effective way to settle disputes.
  • More reliance on government in Henry VIII's reign, e.g advisors and legislators like Wolsey and Cromwell.
  • Left gov to trusted men who could implement the King's wishes.
  • Rewarded success more freely and punished failures.
• Key Themes of Government since 1485

  • Power of the Monarch
  • Securing succession
  • Improving the Crown's value
  • Centralising gov structures
  • Using the Privy Council
  • Use of Parliament for legitimacy
  • Policies on law and order
• The end of Henry VIII's reign

  • Henry fell ill
  • After 1540 when Cromwell and Wolsey had fallen, he decided against appointing another minister, and became more involved himself.