Character of H8, Legacy of H7 & H8's early aims

• Henry VIII succeeded the throne in 1509 and ruled until he died in 1547
• In the 7 years since the death of his elder brother, Arthur, he had been well educated for his role as king.
• He was well read and had been introduced to humanist ideas. He was charming, agreeable and produced a good first impression.
• The death of Henry VII was concealed for 2 days, while Prince Henry and some of the old king's councilors secured his position.
• Richard Fox, Thomas Lovell and Richard Weston established themselves in power and arranged the imprisonment of Dudley and Empson on the first day of Henry's rule.
• Changes from H7

  1. He lacked a strong work ethic, he enjoyed courtly activities such as hunting.
  2. had little interest in daily business of government, but could act decisively when he chose.
  3. He relied heavily on others - members of the council or a chief minister
• Character Traits

  • Ruthlessness and cynicism (execution of Empson & Dudley)
  • Insecurity (willing to resort to executions for treason... often with little evidence)
  • Impulsiveness (speed he married Catherine of Aragon and his execution of Thomas Cromwell)
  • He believed in his own divine right to rule and conformed to the practices of the catholic church.
• Tutored by John Skelton
• Relied on a chief minister, Thomas Wolsey, to do his government business while he was absent.
• Henry VII's legacy was a full Crown coffer of around £300,000. He also left a peaceful kingdom in which the Nobility had been checked and the Tudor dynasty secured.
• H7 distanced himself from his father's legacy:

  • Resumed an aggressive foreign policy with France,
  • Conciliar government disappeared, Wolsey emerged as chief councilor.
  • Council Learned the Law abolished in 1510. This led to cancellation of Bonds and recognisances
• AIM 1: Dismantle unpopular parts of H7 reign:

  1. Empson and Dudley executed
  2. Council Learned abolished in Jan 1510
  3. many bonds were cancelled
• AIM 2: Marriage

  1. Married Catherine of Aragon on 11th June 1509.
  2. aimed to establish his status among European monarchs.
  3. aimed to secure the Tudor dynasty.
• AIM 3: Nobility

  • Keen to reincorporate nobles into court, many of whom stopped attending during H7's reign.
  • Henry 8 had much more in common with younger nobility at the time, therefore they shared interests (particularly to war, sport and entertainment)
  • Even though the nobility had been reinstated, they did not yield the political influence that they desired due to the rise of Thomas Wolsey.
  • There was still lots of control of the Nobility, as demonstrated by the execution of Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.
• AIM 4: Foreign Policy

  • He disliked his father's 'soft' approach to a FP.
  • Henry 8 sought military glory, as did his nobility.
  • Led to a campaign of wars with France, although this came with a huge cost, little reward and no strategic gain.
  • Entered into alliances with France against Spain and the HRE (Charles V). Although he never went to war with Charles V as he was the most powerful man in Europe.