Henry VIII and his ministers 1508-40 part 2

When did Cromwell start working for Wolsey?

Cromwell started working for Wolsey in 1519 on his Council, handling legal cases and building his reputation.

What qualities made Cromwell stand out?

Cromwell was intelligent, witty, ambitious, determined, charming, skilled in law, loyal, and an efficient problem-solver.

How did Cromwell react to Wolsey’s fall?

After Wolsey’s fall in 1529, Cromwell defended him in Parliament, stayed loyal, became MP for Taunton, and joined the Royal Council in 1531.

Why was the annulment important to Henry?

Henry wanted a male heir, Catherine had not provided one, and he feared for the Tudor dynasty.

What idea did Cromwell propose about annulments?

In 1531, Cromwell proposed that Parliament, not the Pope, should grant annulments, shifting power to Henry.

What did the Act in Restraint of Appeals declare?

The Act in Restraint of Appeals in 1533 declared England an empire, free from Papal authority, giving Henry supremacy and enabling annulment.

What was the impact of the annulment?

In 1533, Henry married Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth was born, and England formally broke from Rome.

When did Cromwell become Chief Minister?

Cromwell became Chief Minister in 1533 and remained until 1540.

What financial role did Cromwell gain?

In 1533, Cromwell became Chancellor of the Exchequer, managing royal finances.

What legal role did Cromwell gain?

In 1533, Cromwell became Master of the Rolls, a senior legal officer keeping Chancery records.

What role did Cromwell gain in the Church?

In 1535, Cromwell became Vicar-General with authority to reform the Church.

What role did Cromwell gain with appointments?

In 1536, Cromwell became Lord Privy Seal, influencing government appointments.

What role did Cromwell gain in the royal household?

In 1540, Cromwell became Lord Great Chamberlain, a key role in the royal household.

Why did Anne Boleyn fall from favour?

By 1536, Anne had failed to provide a male heir, suffered miscarriages, faced adultery accusations, interfered in politics, and Henry pursued Jane Seymour.

What role did Cromwell play in Anne’s fall?

Cromwell investigated rumours, arrested Mark Smeaton who confessed under torture, and gathered evidence of adultery.

How many men were accused with Anne?

Five men were accused with Anne, including her brother George Boleyn.

When was Anne executed?

Anne was executed on 19 May 1536 by beheading at the Tower of London before around 1,000 people.

Who was Jane Seymour?

Jane Seymour was Henry’s third wife, gentle and obedient, promoted by her conservative family.

Why was Jane Seymour significant?

Jane gave birth to Edward in 1537, securing the Tudor succession, and her family gained influence.

When did Jane Seymour die?

Jane Seymour died in October 1537 shortly after childbirth, and Henry mourned deeply.

What did the Act of Union do?

The Act of Union in 1536 united Wales with England under English law and gave Wales MPs in Parliament.

What financial problems did Henry inherit?

Henry inherited poorly managed royal finances and disorganised accounts in the King’s Chamber.

What was the Court of Augmentations?

Created in 1536, the Court of Augmentations handled land and wealth from dissolved monasteries.

What was the Court of First Fruits and Tenths?

Created in 1534, the Court of First Fruits and Tenths collected clerical taxes previously paid to Rome.

How did Cromwell reform government finance?

Cromwell created financial departments that collected money, had legal powers, and reduced the king’s personal role.

What was the Privy Council reform?

Cromwell shrank the Council to about 20 trained administrators, mostly lawyers, for efficiency.

What was the Council of the North?

The Council of the North was strengthened in 1536 to enforce royal law and order in northern England.

How did Henry use Parliament before Cromwell?

Before Cromwell, Henry used Parliament rarely, mostly for taxation, passing only 203 Acts from 1509–31.

How did Cromwell change Parliament’s role?

Cromwell made Parliament central to law-making, with 333 Acts passed between 1532–40.

What is Statute Law?

Statute Law was an Act of Parliament agreed and signed by the king.

What is an Act of Attainder?

An Act of Attainder declared someone a traitor without trial.

How was the Act of Attainder used against Cromwell?

In 1540, an Act of Attainder declared Cromwell a traitor and sentenced him to death without trial.

What did Cromwell do as Vicar-General?

In 1535, Cromwell oversaw Church reform, the dissolution of monasteries, and enforced Henry’s supremacy.

Why did Cromwell dissolve the monasteries?

Cromwell dissolved monasteries to give wealth to the Crown, weaken Papal influence, and strengthen royal authority.

What financial benefit came from dissolution?

The dissolution gave the Crown huge income from seized land and property.

How did reforms affect Catholic nobility?

Cromwell’s reforms reduced Catholic nobles’ influence and removed opposition to Protestant change.

Why did Henry marry Anne of Cleves?

In 1540, Henry married Anne of Cleves to ally with Protestant Germany against France and Spain.

Why did the marriage to Anne of Cleves fail?

The marriage failed because Henry disliked her appearance, it was not consummated, and the alliance became less useful.

What reward did Anne of Cleves receive after annulment?

After the annulment in 1540, Anne received land and property, including Hever Castle.

Who replaced Anne of Cleves as wife?

Catherine Howard replaced Anne of Cleves in 1540.

Who plotted Cromwell’s fall?

The Duke of Norfolk plotted Cromwell’s fall in 1540, using his niece Catherine Howard to influence Henry.

Why did Henry lose trust in Cromwell?

Henry blamed Cromwell for the failed Cleves marriage, thought reforms went too far, and leaned back to Catholicism.

When was Cromwell arrested?

Cromwell was arrested on 10 June 1540 at a Privy Council meeting.

What charges were brought against Cromwell?

In 1540, Cromwell was charged with treason and heresy, accused of being Protestant when Henry leaned Catholic.

When was Cromwell executed?

Cromwell was executed on 28 July 1540 by beheading at the Tower of London.

What else happened on Cromwell’s execution day?

On 28 July 1540, Henry also married Catherine Howard.

Why did Henry want to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon?

Henry wanted to annul his marriage to Catherine because she gave him no male heir, only Mary, and he argued it was invalid as she was his brother’s widow.

When did Henry secretly marry Anne Boleyn?

Henry secretly married Anne Boleyn in January 1533 before the annulment was finalised.

What Act supported Henry’s marriage to Anne Boleyn?

The Act in Restraint of Appeals in 1533 stopped Catherine appealing to the Pope.

Why was Anne Boleyn accused of adultery?

Anne was accused of adultery due to rumours, gossip, enemies, and Cromwell’s investigations.

Why was Henry anxious by 1536?

By 1536, Henry was 45, feared dying without a son, and worried about the dynasty after the break with Rome.

How did Jane Seymour’s marriage strengthen Henry politically?

Jane Seymour’s marriage gave conservative support, produced Edward in 1537, and strengthened her family’s power.

What was Cromwell’s biggest achievement?

Cromwell’s biggest achievement was strengthening Parliament’s role, laying the base of modern government.

How did Cromwell modernise finance?

Cromwell modernised finance with a bureaucratic system, specialised courts, and reduced the king’s personal role.

How did Cromwell reform the Royal Council?

Cromwell made the Council smaller, professional, dominated by lawyers, and efficient.

How did Cromwell reform regional government?

Cromwell passed the Act of Union in 1536, bringing Wales under English law, and strengthened the Council of the North.

How did Henry still influence Parliament?

Henry dominated Parliament by intimidating MPs, and Cromwell ensured proposals followed Henry’s will.

Why was Cromwell executed?

Cromwell was executed in 1540 because of the failed Cleves marriage, Norfolk’s influence, Henry’s Catholic turn, his enemies, and the Act of Attainder