Henry VIII and his ministers 1509-40

Star Chamber

Court run by Royal Council to maintain justice under king's authority.

Enclosures

Process of taking land for private use, leading to rural poverty.

Subsidy

Additional tax for fair income assessment to support crown finances.

Henry Percy

Earl of Northumberland, imprisoned by Wolsey in 1516 over political issues.

Forced loans

Voluntary payments that could result in imprisonment for refusal.

Wolsey's unpopularity

Declined due to investigations into enclosures affecting landowners.

Taxation during Henry's reign

New taxes aimed at crisis prevention, but often unpopular.

Legal actions by Wolsey

Initiated over 260 actions against unlawful landowners for land recovery.

Court of Star Chamber reforms

Strengthened its authority to protect the poor and ensure justice.

Wolsey's revenge tactics

Used means to punish those he held grudges against.

When did Henry VII ascend?

1485, ending the Wars of the Roses.

When did Henry VIII become king?

1509, after Henry VII's death.

When did Henry VIII marry Catherine?

1509, shortly after becoming king.

When did Arthur die?

1502, leading to Henry's marriage to Catherine.

What is the privy chamber?

Royal private apartment for confidential affairs.

Who were Henry VIII's ministers?

Key figures included Wolsey, More, Brandon, and Cromwell.

What is the royal household?

Staff supporting the daily operations of the monarch.

What is the royal council?

Advisors assisting the monarch in governance.

What are justices of the peace?

Local magistrates managing minor legal cases.

What is Parliament?

UK legislative body with the House of Commons and House of Lords.

Who was Thomas Wolsey?

Henry VIII's key Lord Chancellor and influential advisor.

Cardinal

A high-ranking official in the Catholic Church.

What role did Wolsey have organising the army against Frances?

Played a crucial role in organising a well equipped army to France in 1513

Who was Henry Percy?

Earl of Northumberland, imprisoned by Wolsey in 1516 due to political conflicts

What did Henry Percy’s arrest show?

Demonstration by Wolsey that no one is above the law

What is a papal legate?

Representative of the Pope for diplomatic missions.

What are the Eltham Ordinances?

Reforms for improving royal household administration by Wolsey.

What were the fifteenths and tenths tax?

Historic tax based on a percentage of goods and income.

When was the subsidy raised?

Raised in 1514 to support military and financial needs.

What is foreign policy?

Government strategy in relations with other countries.

When did Wolsey become Lord Chancellor?

1515.

When did Wolsey become Archbishop of York?

1515

When did Wolsey become papal legate?

1518

When did Wolsey become cardinal?

1515

What was Wolsey also referred to people?

Alter Rex- second king. Henry did not take offence due to him respecting Wolsey

What was Thomas Wolsey's background?

He was the son of a butcher who provided him a strong education

How did Wolsey rise in society despite his non-noble background?

He studied at Oxford to become a priest, a path for non-nobles to rise.

What role did Wolsey have when Henry VIII became king?

He was Royal Almoner, overseeing charity and became a member of Royal Council

How did Wolsey form a relationship with Henry VIII?

He used charm, wit, and flattery to build a personal connection with the king.

Why was Wolsey lucky during Henry VIII's reign?

Henry favored pleasure, allowing Wolsey to handle administration

What was Scotland's status in the 1500s?

An independent nation north of England, traditionally allied to France

What was the Netherlands known for in the 1500s?

A trading nation under Spanish control, mainly exporting cloth

What was the Holy Roman Empire in 1519?

A group of states in central Europe, each ruled by princes or dukes. Charles V became emperor in 1519.

Who ruled France in the 1500s, and what was its position in Europe?

From 1515, France was ruled by Francis I. It was a rival of the Habsburgs and England, with the largest population in Europe and mainly Catholic.

What was the Mediterranean Sea like in the 1500s?

A dangerous sea route under the control of pirates allied to the Ottoman Empire

What role did the Pope and the Papal States play in the 1500s?

The Pope led the Catholic Church and governed parts of Italy, while the Papal States were often threatened by France and Spain.

What was the Ottoman Empire doing in the 1500s?

The Ottoman Empire was a strong Muslim state expanding into Europe and North Africa

What was Spain’s status in the 1500s under Charles Habsburg?

Spain was a strong Catholic kingdom under Charles, who ruled from 1516 and gained wealth by conquering the Aztec and Inca Empires.

What was England’s position in the 1500s?

England was a common European power controlling Wales and the Channel Islands, and its kings claimed the French throne.

What were Henry VIII’s favorite hobbies as a young man?

Jousting, archery, and hunting.

What did Henry VIII dream of achieving?

Military glory through the conquest of France.

Why was England weaker than France and the Habsburg Empire?

England lacked the population and resources to compete.

What happened during Henry VIII’s first invasion of France in 1512?

It ended in failure due to drunkenness and disease.

What was the result of Henry’s second invasion of France in 1513?

He won the Battle of Spurs but only captured two towns.

Who became Henry’s chief diplomat in 1514?

Thomas Wolsey.

What was Wolsey’s role in Henry’s government?

He managed Henry’s goals and handled foreign policy for 15 years.

Who were the two major European rulers Henry had to deal with?

Francis I of France and Charles I of Spain.

How were Francis I and Charles I different from Henry?

They were more powerful.

Why did France and Spain often fight?

They had competing claims over territories in Europe.

How was England economically tied to Spain?

England relied on cloth made in the Netherlands, under Spanish control.

What made the rivalry between Henry and Francis I personal?

They had similar personalities and ambition, leading to natural rivalry.

What major event in 1515 increased tension with France?

Francis I defeated Spanish forces and took control of Milan.

How did Henry VIII react to Francis’s victory in Milan?

He became deeply jealous and worried about France’s power.

What did Wolsey try to do in response to France’s growing power?

He tried to form alliances against France, but had little success.

What was the Treaty of London?

A peace deal in 1518 where European countries agreed not to fight each other.

Who made the Treaty of London happen?

Cardinal Wolsey, working for King Henry VIII.

Why was it important for England?

It made Henry VIII look like a powerful peacemaker in Europe.

Did the Treaty of London work?

the countries went back to war a few years later

What was the Field of the Cloth of Gold?

A 1520 meeting between Henry VIII and Francis I to build friendship.

Where did the Field of the Cloth of Gold happen?

Near Calais, in France

What was the goal of these conferences (Field of the Cloth of Gold) ?

To create peace and friendship between England and France.

Did the meeting succeed in making peace?

England later allied with Spain against France.

What was the Treaty of Bruges?

A secret deal in 1521 where England and Spain agreed to fight France together

Why was the Treaty of Bruges signed?

To form an alliance against France

What did England hope to gain from the Treaty of Bruges?

Land in France and a stronger alliance with Spain

Who did England fight with in the war against France in 1522-1523 ?

Spain, as an ally

Why did England go to war with France in 1522?

To gain land and power, following the Treaty of Bruges

What went wrong in the war against France?

It was expensive, Spain didn’t help much, and there were no big wins

How did people in England feel about the war with France?

Angry — it cost too much and achieved little

Who fought in the Battle of Pavia?

France and Spain (1525).

Who won the Battle of Pavia?

Spain, led by Charles V

What happened to Francis I at the Battle of Pavia?

He was captured by Spanish forces

How did Henry VIII react to the Battle of Pavia?

He wanted to invade France, but Charles V didn’t help him (1525).

Why was the Battle of Pavia important?

It showed Spain’s power and left England without a strong ally.

When was Henry and his army deserted by Charles V outside Paris?

1523

What was the Treaty of the More?

A peace deal in 1525 between England and France after the Battle of Pavia.

Why did Henry VIII agree to the Treaty of the More?

Because Charles V didn’t support him, and he needed money (1525).

What did France give England in the Treaty of the More?

An annual pension

What did Henry VIII give up in the Treaty of the More?

His claim to the French throne

What was the League of Cognac?

Alliance formed in 1526 to limit the power of Spain under Charles V

Who joined the League of Cognac?

France, the Pope of Rome, Venice and Florence (Italy)

What was the Treaty of Westminster?

An alliance in 1527 between England and France against Charles V

Why did Henry VIII sign the Treaty of Westminster

He was angry at Charles V and wanted a new ally

Who captured the Pope of Rome in 1527?

Charles V’s army, the Hapsburg.

What was the Sack of Rome?

In 1527, Charles V's troops invaded and looted Rome. They also captured their Pope.

When did England and France declare war on Spain?

1528

What was the Battle of Landriano?

A battle in 1529 near Pavia, Italy, where Spanish forces defeated the French.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Landriano?

French army destroyed, Francis de Bourbon captured.

What was the Treaty of Cambrai?

A peace agreement in 1529 between Spain and France, aimed at ending conflicts over Italy

What is an annulment?

A legal declaration that a marriage is null and void.