Early actions and aims

What were Henry's initial aims

• To establish his status among the European monarchs through marriage

• To ensure the succession

• Re - establish the role of nobility

• Establish himself as a warrior king with success in battle

When did Henry become King

22nd April, 1509

When did he marry Catherine of Aragon

11th June 1509

When was his coronation

24th June 1509

When did he turn eighteen

28th June, 1509

How and why did Henry choose his councillors?

• H7 died with reputation for greed, some of his advisors were very unpopular

• H8 keeps most of councillors but punishes most unpopular ones

• arrested Empson + Dudley, executed them in 1510, abolished council learned in law

What was his policy on France in 1509

• personally lays plans for war (council are keen on peace)

• sends arch bishop of York to enter alliance with Pope Julius II against France

What does he do amidst gossip about Wolsey in 1516

• ignores it

• keeps Wolsey until 1529

When does Wolsey suggest Europeas peace

• 1518, Treaty of London

• non aggression pact between France, Spain, England + HRE

What is Henry's policy towards France

• wants to overthrow father's legacy

• pursuit of military glory and rehabilitation of traditional nobility led to war with France

• lots of money invested, painfully small gains, little to no strategic significance

What was the policy toward the nobility

• change their role compared to H7

• many young men with shared military tastes who he grew up playing sports with, accompanied him to war

• nobility keen on chivalry

• didn't achieve political domination they had hoped for, Henry promoted role and interests of Wolsey