Wolsey 1509-1529

• Wolseys early life

  Born in a low class family

  Bishop of Lincoln and archbishop of York in 1514

  Lord chancellor in 1515
• reasons for his power - personality

  was ruthlessness to anyone who threatened his position or kings government

  was charming, ambitious, and persuasive

  was able to flatter and influence the king

  effective negotiator
• reasons for power - henry didnt like administration task

  henry gave many tasks that he found mundane to Wolsey.

  as a result gave wolsey immense power

  (wolsey was also alter rex - second to the king)
• reasons for power- henry disliked many of his fathers advisers 


  Wolsey removed many of them, simultaneously removed wolseys rivals in court and meaning henry became more trusting towards Wolsey
• Reasons for rise to power - war with France 1512


  was able to demonstrate his worthy skills by organising a well equipped army by 1513.

  showed off his skills that henry later relied on in more wars
• Domestic reforms - enclosure

  This involved using fence to divide land to usually glaze sheep. Reducing amount of land for tenant farmers who rented land to poor, who now had less land to glaze animals.

  Set up an enquiry in 1517 to try to reduce impact on the poor. Took 260 landowners to court

  Achieved very little and enclosure continued

  Also angered many landowners including the ones in the court
• Domestic reforms- justice system

  Was unfair and corrupt

  Rich were often treated above the law

  Strengthened the Star Chamber which was a royal court used to dispense justice for the king

  Encouraged poor to bring cases forward

  supported cases against rich

  Increased courts work rate
• domestic reforms - eltham ordinances

  made because there was a lot of over spending and bad management of money

  79 chapter longs

  included - cutting spending on meals and servants, reducing privvy chamber from 12-6
• domestic reforms - finance

  desperate for money to fight wars

  the fifteenths and tenths - taxes on moveable goods 1/15 of the value in rural areas and 1/10 in cities

  crown land - took back kings lands from nobility to increase income from rent, raising 15,000

  the subsidy - more you earn, more you pay

  forced loan - forcing landowners to lend money to the crown
• amicable grant - 1525

  taxed raised to help pay for invasion in france

  Francis was defeated by charles v

  henry wanted to use this in his power and wanted to gain back land in france previously lost by previous monarchs. Parliament didnt agree instead the money was collected by the Royal Decree
• amicable grant - tax

  was a “gift” from the people to the king, however they were forced to pay and only had 10 weeks to pay.

  1/3 of the propriety owned by the priest was taxed

  1/6 of propriety owned by ordinary people was taxed

  Many people resented it and there was risk of rebellion
• amicable grant short term impact

  Many people refused to pay it

  In lavenham suffolk there was a rebellion with 10,000 men, who expressed loyalty to the crown but warmed him to be aware of the anger towards the tax.

  The rebellion was surrendered and the tax was abandoned.

  Henry was forced to postpone his invasion of France 🇫🇷
• impact - long term amicable grant

  Wolsey's reputation was badly damaged.

  Had to take full responsibility and apologise

  henry began to question Wolseys abilities

  The failure also demonstrated the limitations of the kings power. He could no longer raise taxes without parliament
• royal decree 


  used to pass rules without gaining support from parliament
• Foreign polices - Treaty of Burgess 1522-25

  Henry thought Charles would help him sieze and gain french throne, as Francis i was in captivity in Italy

  Charles gave henry little military support, despite promising it. After the Battle of Pavia, Charles ignored Henrys suggestion To spilt France between England and Holy roman empire.

  Charles realised Francis from captivity

  War cost Henry 43,000
• foreign polices - Treaty of Cambrai

  An alliance with France to fight Charles v, England provided little help, leading to frances defeat.

  Damaged Henry reputation as a reliable ally

  in 1529 Francis I and Charles V signed The Treaty of Cambrai, which was a peace keeping treaty.

  England was now isolated and no longer seem as a powerful nation
• Foreign policies - 1520 - field of the cloth of gold

  series of diplomatic meetings in calais, france arrange by Wolsey

  splendid showcase of English power and wealth

  This put Henry at the centre of European politics, even though nothing was decided at the meeting
• Treaty of london 1518

  Diplomatic victory for Wolsey, proposed European peace, each country following a non aggression policy. if one country invaded another, they would be at risk of other countries lending aid to country being invaded.

  Was signed by 20 European leaders and the pope, brought prestige to to Henry

  centre of European politics