Thomas Cromwell

• Thomas Cromwell served in the household of Thomas Wolsey. He became a member of the King’s Council in 1531 and Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1533
• In April 1534, Henry confirmed Cromwell as his Principal Secretary and chief minister, a position he had held in all but name for some time.
• He was now Henry’s most important adviser in all matters of policy. The King’s Council lost influence as Cromwell rose in the King’s favour.
• Cromwell wanted to ensure that royal authority was maintained effectively in all areas of the country.
• He wanted to strengthen central and local administration and keep both under his personal control.
• In 1536, all existing liberties and franchises were abolished and the Crown alone was given the right to appoint JPs. In 1540, most of the privileges of sanctuary were abolished.
• In 1536, Wales was incorporated into the English administrative system. Common Law replaced local custom and Wales was ‘shired’.
• From 1535 to 1537, he ensured that all Episcopal power depended upon the King’s will.
• In 1536, he set up the Court of Augmentations to look after the former monastic estates.
• The lands were sold on almost feudal terms and gave the King power of wardship and financial dues on the death of the owner. A Court of Wards was set up in 1537.
• Finance was organised by a Court of First Fruits and Tenths and a Court of General Surveyors; the latter was not created until 1542.
• The Privy Council was reduced from about 70 to 20; all members were henceforth important administrators and, of course, large landowners. The Council remained at this size through the Tudor period.
• Cromwell transformed the office of Principal Secretary from a minor post to the most important under the King.
• Regional Councils for the North and the Marches of Wales were reorganised in the 1530s. A Council of the West was briefly set up in 1539 after the Exeter revolt.
• Cromwell did not use paid royal officials in the regions; most of the work fell upon unpaid JPs.