Henry VIII's personality

• When did Henry VIII ascend to the throne?

  Ascended the throne two months before turning 18
• What type of education did Henry have before coming to the throne?

  Educated in humanism and religion, and ha lots of time to prepare after his brother Arthur's death in 1502.
• How did he consolidate power quickly?

  Executed personnel like Empson and Dudley to consolidate power while maintaining established structure
• How was his reign received? and why?

  Welcomed, due to fear generate by the Council Learned in the Law under his fathers reign
• What was Henry's personality like?

  Disliked governmental affairs and found reading state papers tedious but sometimes intervened, leading to poor decisions.

  Lacked his father's work ethic, focusing on courtly activities like pageantry, sports, and hunting.
• How did he avoid governmental work?

  Shifted government structure towards council governance, heavily relying on chief minister Wolsey for administrative tasks.
• How much did H7 leave his son after he died in 1509 (money-wise)?

  Around £300,000
• What legacy did Henry 7 leave with extracting money?

  The Council Learned in the Law, and heavy reliance on outdated Kings Prerogative rights
• What was the FP like when Henry 7 died?

  Foreign policy was in good order
• What government structure was in place after H7's death?

  A conciliar form of government where councils made decisions
• When and how was the council learned in the law abolsihed?

  The Council Learned in the Law was abolished by act of Parliament in January 1510
• What did the abolishment of The Council Learned in the Law mean?

  The cancellation of the majority of the Bonds and Recognisances that the nobility had been held under.
• How did Henry 8 distance himself from Henry 7?


  He used up his inheritance money quickly and interrupted a peaceful foreign policy with an aggressive foreign policy towards France.
• How did Henry 8 change government structure?

  The conciliar form of government disappeared with the emergence of Wolsey as Chief minister
• Who organised the imprisonment of Empson and Dudley?

  Richard Fox, Bishop of Exeter and Lord of Privy Seal