Henry VIII - Thomas Cromwell

What is the background of Thomas Cromwell?

- Was born around 1485 in Putney

- Humble origins

Who was Cromwell the advisor of in his early days and for how long?

- Wolsey

- Between 1526 and 1529

What did early historians think of Thomas Cromwell?

- early historians argue that Cromwell was ruthlessly dedicated to the King, and worked entirely to his command

How does Elton present Cromwell?

- Elton argues that Cromwell was a central figure in the revolution of government and the genius that created the English Reformation

How have historians presented Cromwell since Elton's arguments?

- Tend to agree with him, but not to such a high extent

How can Wolsey and Cromwell's roles be compared?

- Wolsey had a much easier time passing laws, as Henry was youthful and inexperience

How did Thomas Cromwell change the privy council?

- changed the privy council from 70-90 members to 20 members

- these members were trained lawyers or bureaucrats

What did Cromwell do to manage the finances created by the Break with Rome?

- Created 4 key courts

- Court of Augmentations

- The Court of General Surveyors

- The Court of First Fruit and Tenths

- The Court of Wards

What was the Court of Augmentations?

- Made in 1536

- Controlled land and finances previously under the control of the Catholic Church

What was the Court of General Surveyors?

- This handled ex-monastic lands, before it was amalgamted into the Court of Augmentations

What was the Court of First Fruit and Tenths?

- This collected the money that was previously sent to Rome as annates

What was the Court of Wards?

- Collected money from the estate of a minor when they had inherited the land

What was the traditional role of Parliament?

- Often dealt with finances

- Was used frequently in the Wars of the Roses, when finances were insecure, but was not used often under Edward IV or Henry VII

What were Cromwell's aims in changing Parliament?

- meet more regularly

- have more power

- needed to be more reliable in giving Henry what he wanted

What were Cromwell's physical changes to Parliament?

- MPs had to physically move to one side or the other when voting on an issue

- This meant that Cromwell could easily see who opposed him, and intimidate them

- Moreover, Cromwell wrote letters to those who opposed him, telling them that they need not attend the next meeting, meaning that Parliament was comprised wholly of those who supported his reforms

How did Cromwell use Propaganda?

- He would created leaflets and books on his future laws in order to sway the opinion of those voting on them

How did Cromwell use Parliament?

- Cromwell combined the power of Parliament in passing Laws, with the authority of the King to create laws that were of the highest authority

Why did Cromwell use Parliament more frequently?

- He used Parliament more frequently as his changes were risky and revolutionary, they needed to be passed into a strong law that was of the highest authority