HVIII & Wolsey

• What were the two first demonstrations of change from Henry VII’s reign

  • Dudley and Empson, who implemented the harsh financial policies, where arrested and executed
  • Henry married Catherine of Aragon
• Why did Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon bring him popularity

  • She was a virtual prisoner under his father, he refused to return her to Spain, Henry’s marriage to her was seen as chivalrous
  • It restored the Spanish alliance
• Which of Henry’s advisors wanted to continue the foreign policy of Henry VII

  • Bishop Fox
  • Archbishop Warham
• What town did Henry capture in is 1513

  Threrouanne
• After Therouanne, he then lay siege to Tournai, an internationally known city, which gave Henry the glory he desired
• Henry experienced his first victory against the french in the Battle of the Spurs
• Sucesses of the French campaign

  • Military glory was achieved
  • The French agreed to pay the arrears of the French Pension
  • Henry kept his conquests
  • His sister, Mary, was married to Louis XII
• What was Wolsey’s two positions by 1515

  • Lord Chancellor
  • Cardinal
• Who did Henry’s sister Mary marry

  Duke of Suffolk
• Why was Mary’s marriage to Suffolk hinderance to Henry’s foreign policy

  She could no longer be used on the European marriage market - thus making diplomatic alliances difficult
• Which treaty made Henry appear like the pivotal power

  Treaty of London
• How Much did The Feild of Cloth of Gold cost

  One Years Income
• The Feild of The Cloth of Gold achieved nothing of diplomatic value - they were at war again in 1521
• What year was The Feild of Cloth of Gold

  1520
• Reasons for Wolsey’s rise to power

  • Hard working and talented, gained an oxford degree aged 15
  • He had shown his organisational skills in the 1513 French expedition
  • Supported Henry’s aggressive foreign policy
  • Henry had little interest in domestic affairs
• Wolsey attempted to bring greater justice to the legal system
• What became more important than common law

  Civil Law
• Why was Common Law feared

  Many believed it lead to unjust verdicts based on technicalities
• Who dealt with the cases of the poor

  Court of Chancery
• Who dealt with the cases of the rich / powerful

  The Star Chamber
• Limitations to Wolsey’s legal reforms

  • He used the system to attack the nobility and gentry who treated him with contempt due to his background
  • the courts could not cope with the amount of cases
• Civil Law


  A legal system concerned with the private relations of the community. It was the most dominant form of law in Europe and roman in its origins
• Common Law 


  law that is derived from custom and precedent
• Wolsey’s financial reforms

  • He introduced the Subsidy
  • This became the standard for parliamentary tax
  • replacing the old fifteenth and tenth
  • This greatly increased Henry’s income, yet still was not enough to fund his foreign policy
• In 1523, Henry had hoped to raise £800,000, but only managed £300,000
• How did Wolsey try to non-parliamentarily raise funds

  through Amicable Grant
• Amicable Grant


  An additional tax Wolsey demanded in 1525 to fund Henry’s expedition to France. It resulted in Large scale unrest in East Anglia and widespread refusal to pay
• Outcome of increased taxation through the non-parliamentary Amicable Grant

  • Widespread unrest in East Anglia
  • Widespread refusal to pay
  • Henry had to intervene, cancel the grant, and force Wolsey to apologise
  • Overall - embarrassing
• What has Wolsey been branded as

  Champion of the poor
• What year did Wolsey establish an enquiry towards the practise of enclosure

  1517
• Limitations to Wolsey’s social policy

  • His enclosure enquiry had limited impact because in 1523, He accepted all existing enclosures in return for the parliamentary subsidy.
  • Many of his actions were against the nobility and gentry, so might have been part of a vendetta against them, as opposed to a genuine zeal for justice
• Successes of Wolsey’s Social policy

  • He attacked the practise of enclosure
  • Established an enquiry in 1517
  • Legal action taken against 264 landowners
  • 222 landowners brought to court
  • Verdicts reached on 188
• Wolsey’s domestic policy reforms

  • Legal
  • Financial
  • Social
  • Administrative
• How many times did Wolsey call parliament in 1515 and 1523

  twice
• Why did Wolsey summon parliament

  funds for war
• What did Wolsey introduce as a replacement to the failed Amicable Grant

  Eltham Ordinances
• What did the Eltham ordinances seek to achieve

  • Improve finances and efficiency of the Privy Chamber
  • Win back Henry’s favour after the failed Amicable Grant
• Legatus a latere 


  A legate granted full papal powers to deal with a specific issue away from Rome
• Criticism towards Wolsey as Legatus a latere

  • He was a pluralist and absentee
  • Despite his vow of celibacy, took mistresses and children
  • Argued that he used his position for self preservation
• Why was Wolsey a pluralist

  He was abbot of the richest Abbey, St Albans