Government under Henry VIII

• What was Eric Ives' view of Henry's government?

  Henry VIII liked an overview but delegated work
• How did Henry VIII's view of Parliament change over time?

  His view varied across his reign
• How often did Henry VIII call upon Parliament in his early reign?

  Only in 1510, 1512, 1515, and 1523
• What was Wolsey's view of Parliament?

  Wolsey regarded Parliament with distaste
• Who was Thomas Wolsey?

  Henry VIII's chief minister and Cardinal
• What were Thomas Wolsey's key roles and contributions?

  • Chief minister to Henry VIII
  • Lord Chancellor
  • Cardinal
  • Instrumental in early policies
  • Failed to secure Henry's annulment
  • Arrested for treason
• What was Cromwell's view of Parliament?

  Cromwell had a troubled relationship with Parliament
• Why did the conciliar approach to government end?

  Cromwell ended it after Wolsey's fall
• What was Wolsey's relationship with the Privy Council?

  Wolsey's relationship was strained and distrustful
• What was the Court of Chancery?

  A court presided over by Wolsey
• What issues did the Court of Chancery deal with?

  Enclosure, contracts, and wills
• What was a major issue with the Court of Chancery?

  It was clogged with many cases
• What was the Court of Star Chamber?

  A court established by an Act of Parliament
• How did Wolsey utilize the Court of Star Chamber?

  To increase cheap and fair justice
• What caused Richard III to loose support during his reign?

  - He made parliament proclaim him King Richard III

  - He was suspected of murdering the two princes in the tower of London
• How many Parliaments did Henry VIII call before the Reformation?

  4
• How long did conciliar government last for under Henry VIII?

  1509-1514
• Why was conciliar government brought to an end?

  -Henry and the old councillors disagreed on the war with France

  -he became his own man as he became more familiar with governing

  -young-courtiers reinforced his suspicions of the "old guard"

  -Wolsey became liked by Henry
• Why did Wolsey interfere in the Privy Chamber?

  It was the one area of government outside of Wolsey's immediate control

  Wolsey was threatened by Henry's 'minions' who were in constant close proximity to the King
• What changes did Wolsey make to the Privy Chamber?

  He secured the removal of the minions in 1519 and replaced them with his own supporters
• How significant were Wolsey's changes to the Privy Chamber?

  Most of the minions were able to retain their positions

  It still remained outside Wolsey's control

  Therefore little changed, not very significant
• How did Wolsey use the Court of Chancery?


  tried to use the court to uphold fair justice

  he used it to deal with enclosure, contracts etc.
• Was Wolsey's use of the Court of Chancery successful?

  Yes - it became extremely popular

  No - it became too popular that justice was slow since it had too many cases. Needed more expansion.
• How did Wolsey use the Court of Star Chamber?

  Extended the use of the of Chamber in 1516 to increase cheap and fair justice

  He set up a permanent committee in 1519 which dealt with cases involving the poor
• Was Wolsey's use of the Court of the Star Chamber successful?


  It became too successful and was forced to set up a series of overflow tribunals

  Yes highly successful
• How did Wolsey change the way subsidies were collected?

  -Instead of using local commissioners to assess taxpayer's wealth tho might be over generous to the nobility, he made a national committee with himself as head

  -This meant the nation's revenue became more realistic

  -Became known as the "Tudor subsidy"
• What were the Eltham Ordinances?

  -introduced in 1526 by Wolsey to reform the finances of the Privy Council

  -reduced the number of Gentlemen and household servants

  -Wolsey removed Henry's Groom of the Stool, Sir William Compton and replaced him with the more competent Henry Norris
• Why did Henry want to divorce Catherine?

  She was five years older than he was and past the childbearing age so couldn't provide him with an heir
• What evidence is there to show Henry VIII was desperate for a male heir?

  He considered legitimating his bastard son, Henry Fitzroy, 1525 he made him Duke of Richmond to promote him as heir
• How did Henry try to argue that his marriage to Catherine was void?

  Henry used the book of Leviticus which contained a prohibition on a an marrying his brother's widow
• What did Wolsey do in May 1527 to try to secure the annulment of Henry's marriage?

  He brought Henry before a fake court to 'accuse' him of living in sin with his wife, which Henry admitted to.

  However, Catherine refused to accept the courts verdict and appealed to the Pope
• What sealed Wolsey's fate in annulling the marriage?

  -The Pope sent an envoy, Cardinal Campeggio to hear the case

  -Campeggio adjourned the case on 30th July 1529
• When was Wolsey arrested

  4th November 1530
• When was Anne Boleyn executed?

  19th May 1536
• Why and when was Cromwell executed?

  He provided Henry with the marriage to the unsuitable Anne of Cleves

  He was executed on 28th July 1540
• What factions were there under Henry from 1540?

  -Reformist faction - led by Cromwell - but declined in importance after his death. Edward Seymour took over.

  -Conservative faction - led by Norfolk, power increased when Henry married Catherine Howard, Norfolk's niece, but after execution power diminished