Qs so far - Henry VIII and Wolsey

In what year was Thomas Wolsey appointed Henry’s Lord Chancellor?

1515

What positions of religious importance did Wolsey also hold?

Archbishop of York, Cardinal (also Bishop of Lincoln)

What aspect of Wolsey’s childhood illustrates his humble background?

He was the son of an Ipswich butcher

What was the first role that Wolsey was given when Henry became king in 1509?

Royal Almoner (in charge of giving money to the poor)

What task did Henry give Wolsey in 1512?

Organise an army for war against France

In what year was Wolsey made a papal legate (representative of the Pope)?

1518

What sorts of tasks did Wolsey do for Henry in particular?

All the paperwork and administrative tasks that Henry found boring

Who was the only person in England who was wealthier than Wolsey?

Henry

Which two palaces did Wolsey build for himself?

York House and Hampton Court Palace

Why did many people end up fearing Wolsey?

He was ruthless towards his opponents

In what year did Henry VIII become King?

1509

What was the population of England when Henry became King?

2.5 million

Where did the vast majority of the population live at this time?

In the countryside (only 6% in towns)

What religion did the entire country follow?

Roman Catholicism

In what year had Henry’s older brother Arthur died of tuberculosis?

1502

What sport had Henry’s father banned him from participating in to protect him from harm?

Jousting

Whom did Henry marry in 1509?

Catherine of Aragon

What talents did the young Henry VIII have?

Jousting, Archery, Wrestling, Languages (French, Latin, Spanish), Music, Dancing

Who did Henry believe had appointed him to be king?

God (the Divine Right)

Which aspect of Henry’s personality did his advisers find particularly difficult to deal with?

His stubbornness

What is the term used to describe the structure of English society at the time of Henry, when society was ranked in terms of people’s wealth and status?

Hierarchical

Who was at the top of the ‘Great Chain of Being’?

God

What was the name for the part of Henry’s government where he met with advisers, held audiences and made important decisions?

Royal Household

Which two groups did Henry increasingly listen to for their advice?

Royal Council and Privy Chamber

What was Henry’s attitude towards paperwork and administration?

He found them boring and was happy for others to do them for him

What sort of court did Henry want to create?

Dazzling and impressive, which would attract the best scholars and musicians

What did Henry want to achieve in France?

Win lots of military victories over the French

What were Henry’s five main aims as monarch?

Decide on policies; Win victories in battle; Create a magnificent royal court; Attract great men to his court; Perform traditional duties of a king

What criticism was often made of the justice system before Wolsey?

It was slow, expensive and unfair

What was the name of the special royal court strengthened by Wolsey to try to get fairer justice?

Star Chamber

How did the work rate of this court increase under Wolsey’s control?

From 12 cases a year to 120 cases a year

What did lots of people think was Wolsey’s real motivation for strengthening this court?

To allow him to get revenge on the upper classes

What is the term for the practice of individual landowners fencing off bits of common land so that no one else (other than themselves) can use it to graze their animals?

Enclosure

How many court cases did Wolsey’s investigations into this practice lead to?

260

How did angry landowners force Wolsey to stop his investigations?

1523

Why did Henry want more money than direct taxation was currently providing him with?

To fund his wars against France

What was the name of the new tax that Wolsey devised to try to raise more money for Henry?

Subsidy

What other methods did Wolsey use to try to raise money?

Fifteenths and tenths; Forced loans; Taxing the Church; Crown lands

Why did Henry VIII want more money in 1525?

To allow him to invade France when it was most vulnerable (the French king had just been captured)

In what year did Wolsey try to introduce the Amicable Grant?

1525

What was particularly controversial about the Amicable Grant?

New tax which didn’t have the approval of parliament

How much of their income were people expected to pay under the Amicable Grant?

Priests = one third of their income; Everyone else = one sixth of their income

Where did 10,000 men meet to protest against the Amicable Grant in May 1525?

Lavenham, Suffolk

What happened to Wolsey after the failure of the Amicable Grant?

He was humiliated, had to accept full responsibility, and started to lose Henry VIII’s trust

In what year did Wolsey publish the Eltham Ordinances?

1526

What problem were the Eltham Ordinances intended to solve?

The bad state of Henry’s court (dirt, bad behaviour, lots of wasted money)

How many chapters were there in the Eltham Ordinances?

79

By how much did Wolsey reduce the number of the Gentlemen of the Chamber?

From 12 to 6 men