Henry VIII

Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded Survived.

In which Year did Henry VIII come to the throne?

1509

Who was in the regency council for Henry VIII at the start of his reign?

Sir Thomas Lovell, Archbishop Warham, Bishop John Fisher, Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey, Sir John Heron, and Bishop Richard Fox.

Who soon came to ascendancy within the Privy Council?

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who initially worked for Richard Fox as an assistant, but quickly came into the King’s favour as he was more willing than the other Councillors to go to war.

What early actions did Henry take to distance himself from his father’s reign?

• Arrested Empson and Dudley, the leaders of the Council Learned in Law, and executed them 16 months later in 1510

• Executed Edmund de la Pole in 1513, after his brother Richard took up arms for the French

• Some Bonds that Henry VII set he cancelled, but he retained many of them to maintain loyalty until they expired in the 1520s

When was Wolsey appointed Lord Chancellor?

1515, and he remained in power until his death in 1529

How Did Wolsey reform the government?

• Reformed the Privy Chamber

• Eltham Ordinances

• Parliament

• Court of Chancery

• Court of the Star Chamber

• Act of Resumption 1515

• 1522 National Survey

• Recoinage

• Enclosure

How did Wolsey reform the Privy Chamber?

He despised the growing power of the Privy chamber, so took a many actions to curb their influence. In 1519, he removed a group of councillors he referred to as ‘minions’ and replaced them with his own men. However, the minions manage to take back their positions relatively quickly.

What were the Eltham Ordinances?

Enacted in 1526, this was an attempt by Wolsey to streamline the royal household and cut out expenditure. He removes a number of the gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, such as William Compton, nominally for expenditure, but historians argue it was to increase his personal power.

What was the Court of the Star Chamber?

It was set up under Henry VII but not used hugely until henry VIII. Under Henry VII there was only around 12 cases per year in the Court of the Star Chamber; up to 120 under Wolsey. This was used primarily to bring noblemen and local officials to trial.

What was the Act of Resumption 1515

Like the 1486 Act of Resumption, this restores land that Henry VIII had initially given away at the start of his reign, increasing crown income from crownland.

What was the National Survey?

In 1522, Wolsey reformed the way which revenue was gathered through taxation, making a more realistic assessment of landowner wealth. This led to greater demands for taxation and a new ‘subsidy’, which raised taxation based on income, not property.

What was the Amicable Grant?

The Amicable Grant was a forced loan in 1525 that was supposed to pay for the King’s campaign in France after the battle of Pavia in 1525. However, previous forced loans in 1522-25 had not been repaid, so people began to revolt in Suffolk, the revolt spreading to the Borders of Essex and Cambridgeshire. However, the dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk managed to defeat the rebels at Lavenham. The King would pardon the rebels and claimed he had no knowledge of the plan.

Why did Wolsey fall from Power?

By 1527, henry had begun to fear that his marriage to Catherine of Aragon was illegitimate, and therefore he would have no sons through which he could carry on his dynasty (this is based of a passage of Leviticus 20:21). The Blackfriars Court, held in England, was the beginning of the annulment proceedings. however, in 1529, with Pope Clement VII being under Imperial control After the sack of Rome (1527) and the Battle of Landriano, he refused the annulment. With this, Wolsey was accused of Praemunire and replaced as Lord Chancellor in 1529, after which he would soon die.

How Popular was the Catholic Church on the eve of Reformation?

Unlike the popular thought, the church was relatively popular on the eve of the reformation. The Pope was still widely accepted within England, but not greatly loyal - when his influence was removed in 1534, there was not a great uproar. generally, people had good relationships with their priests, and religious life was still thriving - 57% of people in Devon and Cornwall, for example, left money in wills to religious organisations.

Other than Anticlericalism, what is another motivation that may have pushed Henry to reform?

With his marriage to Anne Boleyn, a well educated woman who was highly involved in the Humanist and Protestant traditions, she began to feed him writings that, if implemented, would serve his purpose. whe introduced Writings such as:

• Obedience of a Christian Man - William Tyndale - this defended the power of kings in their own country and the King’s subjects should owe their allegiance to the king only

• A Supplication for Beggars - Simon Fish - addressed to the king and criticised greedy clerics

• Christopher St Germain - his writings emphasised the role of the state in controlling the church.

How did the Reformation in England Take Place in 1530?

• 1530 - William Tyndale’s Vernacular bible burnt (May), Clergy accused of Praemunire (December)

How did the reformation in England take Place in 1531?

• 1531 - Clergy pardoned of Pramunire charge; Henry paid £119,000 in return for pardon (February), Convocation of Canterbury recognise Henry as head of the Church as Far as the Law of Christ allows.

How did the Reformation in England Take place in 1532?

• First Act of Annates - Banned the payment of annates to Rome; said that bishops could be consecrated by English Authorities

• Supplication of the Ordinaries - Clergy were to enact no Church law without Royal consent, the crown would investigate Church law

• Submission of the Clergy - The clergy accepted the King, not the Pope as their lawmaker

How did the reformation in England take place in 1533?

• Act in Restraint of Appeals to Rome - made the King the head of the Church in England; Rome had no power over matrimonial cases; declared England an Empire

How did the Reformation in England take place in 1534?

• Second Act of Annates - Confirmed First Act; declared all abbots and bishops were to be appointed by the King

• Act to Stop Peter’s Pence - Abolished the payment of taxation to Rome

• Act for the Submission of the Clergy - Appeals in Ecclesiastical matters were to go through the Kings Court of Chancery, not the archbishops court

• First act of Succession - Made Henry’s marriage to Catherine invalid, and dictated that the crown would pass to the fruits of Henry and Anne’s marriage

How did the Reformation in England take place in 1535?

• Act of Supremacy - Henry declared ‘Justly and rightfully Supreme Head of the Church of England’

• Treason Act - Listed treasonable crimes including calling the King a heretic, could be expressed in word and in deed

• Act for First Fruits and Tenths - Clerical taxes were now to go to the King, not the Pope

How did the Reformation in England take place in 1536?

• Act for Dissolution of Lesser Monasteries - Smaller monasteries (below £200) were closed

• Act of ten Articles - Seven Sacraments of Catholic Doctrine is rejected, leaving belief in only three - Baptism, Eucharist and Penance.

• Royal Injunction to the Clergy - Clergy ordered to defend royal supremacy in sermons, abandon pilgrimages and give money for educational purposes

• Second Act of Succession - Declared both Mary and Elizabeth to be illegitimate, allowed him to choose his heir in his will.

How did the Reformation in England take place in 1537?

• The Institution of a Christian Man - 4 ‘lost’ Sacraments rediscovered, but purgatory, mass, transubstantiation and the status of priests is glossed over

• Thomas Matthew Publishes the Matthew Bible

How did the Reformation in England take place in 1538?

• Royal Injunction to the Clergy - English bible to be in all parishes within 2 years, all births and deaths to be registered, discouraged from going on Pilgrimages, Relics removed from churches

How did the Reformation in England take place in 1539?

• Publication of the ‘Great Bible’

• Act of Six Articles - confirmed transubstantiation, private Masses, the hearing of confession by priests, banned marriage of priests, the marriage of anyone who had taken a vow of chastity, the taking of communion by lay people.

• Act for the Dissolution of the Greater Monasteries - All monasteries closed down.

How many monasteries were there in England before they were dissolved?

Over 800 Monasteries

What was the Valor Ecclesiasticus?

A survey in 1535 carried out by Thomas Cromwell and 6 other visitors who travelled across England surveying the monasteries and estimating their value. Additionally, they reported (or fabricated) the misdemeanours of the monks within, providing Henry with a reason to close them down.

What was the Lincolnshire Rising?

The Lincolnshire Rising was an armed uprising in attack of the reformation. Beginning in Lincolnshire in October 1536, 10,000 men would march together, to Lincoln, murdering the Chancellor of the Bishop there. However, the first phase would die out with the approach of the Duke of Suffolk’s army.

What was the Pilgrimage of Grace?

After news of the Lincolnshire rising, a Yorkshire Lawyer named Robert Aske dispatched letters across the North calling on men to march in defence of the Holy Church. They raised around 30,000 men, taking the Fortress of Pontefract Castle. With this, henry was forced to delay, sending the Duke of Norfolk to meet the men and hear their demands. he would formalise a truce, however, Sir Francis Bigod was not convinced, and formed a second uprising, which eventually led to the execution of all rebel leaders.

Why was there so little resistance to the reformation?

• Fear - Cromwell masterminded a machinery of enforcement that forced people into silence.

• Many believed the changes would not last

• Many expected Henry at least to remain Catholic

• Many were motivated by self-interest - gave various clergy better career prospects and lay people gained land and goods following the dissolution

• Many put their welfare and career before their beliefs - Vicar of Bray

• Protestantism was welcomed in some cases

• Many did not notice the changes

• The End result was far from clear

How did Cromwell suppress any resistance?

• 1534 Treason Act - Made it treasonable both in Word or deed to act against the king, or to call them heretical - it merely needed to be said to be treasonable

• Injunctions - 1536 and 1538 - enforce the governments doctrinal position

• Printed Propaganda - Using the new printing press, Cromwell encouraged a huge propaganda campaign to defend the King’s Position. ‘The Glass of Truth’ 1532 was an example of this

• Royal Correspondance - Cromwell would often write to people on behalf of the king - for example in 1535 he wrote to the JPs across the country, ordering them to arrest those supporting the Pope

• Oaths - The Act of First Succession, Act of Supremacy, and Second Act of Succession all required rigorous oaths

• Church Visitation - Cromwell would go around and visit churches and monasteries to evaluate the churches and their properties

What was Henry’s first example of European Diplomacy?

He entered the Holy League with the Papal States, Venetians, Swiss, and Aragon in 1511. he promised to invade Southern France with Ferdinand and capture Guienne?

How did his participation in the Holy League end?

Very Poorly - Ferdinand had no intention of fighting with him, and used the English troops as a screen behind which he seized Navarre and made separate peace with France.

What was the First French War?

A series of conflicts between 1512-1514 that saw France at war with a coalition of French powers such as the HRE, England, the Pope and Spain

What was Henry’s involvement in the First French War?

In 1513, he led 25,000 men into Northern France, Capturing Therouanne and Tournai in the same year, as well as winning the Battle of the Spurs.

How successful was Henry in the First French War?

Despite a number of smaller victories, Henry was not draped in glory by the conquest - Tournai and Therouanne were closer to the Burgundian border, so Maximilian gained the most from the capture of the towns. However, from the war, Cardinal Wolsey emerged as a significant figure in English politics, having negotiated the peace, which was quite favourable to England.

What was the Treaty of London?

The Treaty of London, signed in 1518, was initially an Anglo-French truce. At the same time, a Papal evoy was sent to England to negotiate a joint European campaign against the Ottomans. Wolsey Hijacked this initiative and turned it into a universal peace and friendship treaty. It was subscribed to by over 20 European Rulers - including Francis I, Maximilian, Charles I and the Pope. It was hailed at the time as a moral, political and diplomatic triumph.

How successful was the Treaty of London?

In a secular sense, the Treaty was largely unsuccessful - wars in Europe broke out again within a few years. However, the philosophical ideals of universal peace continued until the 18th century, becoming a significant point for the enlightenment.

What was the Field of the Cloth of Gold?

The Field of the Cloth of Gold was a meeting that took place between Henry VIII and Francis I outside Calais. It took place in a series of Intergovernmental meetings between Henry and Francis I and Charles V, as the Habsburg-Valois wars were about to break out, and both Kings wanted Henry as an ally before they declared war.

What happened in 1521?

In 1521, with the outbreak of the Habsburg-Valois war, Henry was forced out of being the peacebroker and into the fighting. At the treaty of Bruges, England and Charles agreed to declare war on France, as well as Charles promising to repay Henry for the French pension he would have to forgo, and promising to marry Henry’s daughter, Mary.

What happened in the Second French War?

The Second French War began in 1522 with an English Army invading France. However, Charles was more focused on recovering Milan, and winning battles in Northern Italy such as La Bicocca in 1522. However, in 1523, the Duke of Bourbon joined the anti-French Alliance, so the Duke of Suffolk began to march on Paris with 11,000 men. However, yet again, Henry was abandoned by his allies - the Duke of Bourbon was unable to materialise any support, and Charles’ attacks from the Spanish Netherlands never appeared.

How successful was Henry’s foreign Policy in the Second French War?

Extremely unsuccessful - he had once again been betrayed and abandoned by his allies, but this time, he had no gains to show for it, unlike in the First French War.

What was the battle of Pavia?

The battle of Pavia, in 1525, was a battle between Francis I and Charles V, where Charles’ army would rout the French troops, and Francis would be trapped under his horse and captured.

What was the result of the Battle of Pavia?

Henry hoped he could sue this to jointly invade France with Charled, but Charles rejected and annulled his marriage to Mary.. Therefore, Henry signed the treaty of the More which brough England and France closer together. In 1526, the League of Cognac was formed against the HRE, with England as a Protector. Finally, in 1527, the Anglo-French Treaty of Westminster and Amiens pledged that France and England would attack Charles.

What happened during the Third French War?

Again, with the outbreak of the Habsburg-Valois war in 1543, Henry decided to ally with Charles V again, with the two planning to invade France. By 1544, Henry sailed to Calais at the head of a 48,000 man army. In 1544, he decided to betray Charles this time, marching on Boulogne instead of Paris and taking it for himself, and signing the Peace of Ardres in 1546.

How successful was Henry in the Third French War?

Somewhat successful - henry had captured Boulogne, an important city, and kept it for himself. At the treaty of Ardres, the French also promised to repay any outstanding debts - this was important as the war had cost England over £2,000,000 which had largely bankrupted the crown.

What was the Battle of Flodden?

Despite the renewal of the Anglo-Scottish peace treaty in 1509, by 1513 James IV, with Henry out in France, decided to invade Northern England. Catherine’s response was crushing - the battle of Flodden was a slaughter for Scotland, with 10,000 men, including James IV and many other nobles being killed in the Battle, leaving the infant James V as king.

What was the Second Scottish War?

In 1541, Henry planned to meet James V, however, he did not turn up. This infuriated Henry, who ordered a raid on Scotland, which ended up with the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542. A month later, James V would die, leaving the infant Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne.

What happened After Solway Moss?

After Solway Moss, he decided not to conquer Scotland, instead pressing for a marriage between Edward and Mary. With a pro-English faction in place, he signed the treaty of Greenwich (1543), formalising the marriage agreement. However, by December 1543 the Scottish government renounced the treaty of Greenwich.

How much did Cromwell Reform the Council?

During Henry VII’s reign, a large group of councillors known as the Royal Council met every day to advise the King. However, under Henry VIII’s under Cromwell reign a smaller, more streamlined group of Councillors met as part of his Privy Council. Under Cromwell, various reforms would take place such as the 1536 Acts of the Privy Chamber which required the recording of minutes. Some people have said however, that this development was merely a formalisation of things already occurring - a smaller council was becoming more popular under Henry VII, and Wolsey’s Eltham ordinances suggested a smaller council too.

How Far Did Cromwell revolutionise Parliament?

• Reformation parliament - 7 Years - Longest parliament called in English History at the time

• Parliament became involved in law making nationwide, as they were required for the formation of statute law which was the ultimate law

• Development of Parliamentary procedure - reading of a bill 3 times in Lords and Commons was developed during this time

• Development of King-in-Parliament - Idea that Henry ruled alone, but required the co-operation of Parliament to make irreversible laws (statute)

However

• Proclamations Act 1539 - Henry was still able to rule via proclamation rather than statute, therefore Parliament was not essential to governance

• After this period, parliament developed erratically - for example, Elizabeth called it only 13 times in 44 years

How much money did the crown make from the monastic lands?

Around £1,250,000 in sales alone, and increased the yearly income from monasteries from £25,000 per year to £86,000 per year.

What was the court of Augmentations?

Developed in 1536 in order to deal with the property and financial issues of the dissolution. It assessed the properties to be rented, and dealt with the pensions of the abbots, monks and clerics.

What was the Court of First Fruits and Tenths?

Established in 1540 to collect money from the churches that had previously been sent to Rome after the Act of First Fruits and Tenths. Estimated to be around £47,000 per year.

What was the Court of Wards and Liveries?

Established in 1540 in order to deal with the monies owed to the King in his position as a feudal landlord.

What was the court of General Surveyors?

1540 - A court that administered crown lands, and handled cases of the King’s household and registered leases. Dealt with the monastic lands that came to the crown through the treason of their abbots.

How successful was Cromwell’s financial reform?

Cromwell made large financial reform, such as returning the financial authority to the exchequer, and had begun to introduce specialised courts to the financial system, ultimately in 1553 (acts of 1553), all the courts would be absorbed into the Exchequer as they had ultimately become two complex and labourous.

What was the Act of Union?

The Act of Union in 1536 with Wales reorganised local government in the principalities and the borderlands of the marches which brough Wales into the same legal framework as England. Council of Wales held direct jurisdiction over the Principality of Wales and the 4 English Border counties.

What was the Act against Liberties and Franchises?

This Act in 1536 removed and restricted the special powers exercised by regional nobles - for example, the Bishop of the Palatinate of Durham who was semi-independent at the time.

What did Henry do to increase Royal power in Ireland?

Established the Kingdom of Ireland in 1540, which made him the King of Ireland. He then developed the policy of ‘Surrender and regrant’ - where Irish nobles would surrender their land to the king and would be given it back as part of the English Peerage. English Common law was introduced in Ireland.

What were the failures of England in Ireland?

The Policy of Surrender and Regrant took a long time to complete - only ending in the 17th Century. The English Governor of Ireland only controlled the Pale of Dublin. Religious disputes - Ireland was still largely Catholic, whist English settlers were predominantly Protestant.

What is a Faction?

A group of people within the court that act together for a common purpose.

What two Factions were there within Henry VIII’s court?

Conservative and Reformist Factions

What were the conservative Factions?

A group of Nobles and clergy who attempted to limit reform of England and maintain pre-reformation characteristics. People within the faction included:

• Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk

• Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

• Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester

Who was the Reformist faction?

Following the death of Cromwell in 1540, the reformists were the group who attempted to continue the reforms of Cromwell, pushing for greater reformation within the church. The included:

• John Dudley, Lord Lisle

• Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury

• Sir Anthony Denny

• Catherine Parr

• Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford.

How did the economy change during the reign of Henry VIII?

Very little - industrialisation did not occur at all during Henry VII and VIII’s reign, and agriculture continued to dominate England. During Henry VIII’s reign, the economy grew weaker, as the price of goods rose greatly in the 1540s, whilst the average person’s ability to buy goods decreased immensely.

How much did Wolsey reform government?

In comparison to Cromwell, very little. He rarely used parliament twice in his 14 year premiership, and instead he preferred to use already established methods to reform government, for example the court of the Star Chamber and the Court of Chancery. Finally, although he did show some development in reformation - for example in 1525 he destroyed a priory and used it to build what is now Christ Church College, Oxford - he was largely loyal to Catholicism.