Character and Aims

• Henry was well read and intelligent as well as having chivalric priorities. However he had no government or public affairs experience or any interest in day to day running of the country
• In comparison to Henry VIIs rule, Henry's accession was seen as a good thing.
• Henry VIII inherited £300,000 , a peaceful foreign policy, conciliar government system and unpopular methods of money extractions.
• Henry appointed a chief minister, spent all the money on war with France, abolished the council learned in an Act in 1510, cancelled bonds and recognisances and executed Dudley and Empson in 1510
• Early aims included, establishing himself as warrior King, re-establishment of nobility and establishing his status among European monarchs.
• Henry was more popular with the nobility than his father with the nobility because of wars and conquests but still employed new men such as Wolsey.
• Henry's opinion of nobility is clearly shown by execution of Duke of Buckingham after he questioned the issue of accession.
• His foreign policy aimed to conquer France, which he spent a considerable amount of money on. Oddly enough there were periods of alliance with France against Spain and the HRE.
• Henry VIIIs aims were not constant, and usually driven by personal wishes.