Domestic Policies under Wolsey 1514-1529

• Court of Chancery


  The main court of equity in the kingdom, presided over by the Lord Chancellor
• Court of Chancery under Wolsey


  • Wolsey tried to use the court to uphold 'fair' justice
  • Became too popular and justice was slow since it became clogged up with too many cases
• Court of Star Chamber


  An offshoot of the king's Council, became the centre of both government and justice under Wolsey
• Court of Star Chamber under Wolsey


  • Wolsey's motive in extending the use of the Star Chamber from 1516 was to increase cheap and fair justice
  • Wolsey heard cases of alleged misconduct by people who were dominant in their localities
• Tudor Subsidy


  Extraordinary revenue provided by taxpayers, including the nobility, when required
• Changes to the Tudor Subsidy under Wolsey


  • Instead of using local commissioners, Wolsey set up a national committee which he himself headed
  • With direct and realistic assessments of the wealth of taxpayers, the nation's revenue base consequently became much more realistic
  • Raised extraordinary revenue for Henry VIII's war in France, but the amount was insufficient
• Wolsey attempted to raise unparliamentary taxation through the 'Amicable Grant' of 1525


  This led to widespread resistance, amounting almost to a rebellion
• Eltham Ordinances


  Reforms introduced by Wolsey in 1526 to reform finances of the Privy Council
• Eltham Ordinances


  • In the guise of pushing forward proposals for a reduction of royal household expenditure, Wolsey secured the removal of Henry's Groom of the Stool Sir William Compton, replacing him with the more compliant Henry Norris