Henry VIII - Domestic policy

What was the subsidy tax?

A new form of taxation introduced by Wolsey which reflected the wealth of the taxpayers

Strengths of the subsidy tax?

It was more flexible and realistic as it was based on ability to pay

How much did the subsidy tax raise between 1513 and 1516?

£170,000

How much did the subsidy tax raise in TOTAL?

£322,000

Weaknesses of the subsidy tax?

It placed a greater financial burden on the rich which caused resentment

What were forced loans?

They were based on the wealth of each county and they were compelled to pay these

Strengths of forced loans?

Gathered huge amounts of money

How much did forced loans raise between 1522-1523?

£200,000

Weaknesses of forced loans?

Forced loans in 1522 meant that when Wolsey tried to use the subsidy in 1523, Parliament gave him less than what he wanted

What was the Amicable Grant?

It taxed laity and clergy and was raised without parliament as Henry wanted to wage war against France

When was the Amicable Grant introduced?

1525

How much did the Amicable Grant demand?

1/3 of income

How much did the Amicable Grant raise?

It raised £240,000 in clerical tax

Weaknesses of the Amicable Grant?

- It led to rebellions in Suffolk and East Anglia initiated by the laity and it was eventually abandoned in 1525

- Wolsey could not follow Henry's wishes and forced to make peace with France

Wolsey's biggest failure in finances?

Wolsey failed to cover the cost of expenditure

How much was raised to cover the cost of expenditure?

820,000

What was the total cost of expenditure?

1.7 million

During which period did Wolsey fail to cover the cost of expenditure?

Between 1509 and 1520

What did Wolsey use the Star Chamber for?

To deal with nobility that threatened him

When was Buckingham executed for retaining and plotting against the King?

1521

Why was the execution of Buckingham a success?

Buckingham had a claim to the throne and sympathy for the white rose party

What were the failures of Wolsey's interactions with the nobility?

- Failed to reduce the power of the Boleyn faction

- Made many enemies among the nobility

- The nobility abandoned him at his fall from power

How many times did Parliament meet during Wolsey's time in power?

Only twice (1515 and 1523)

What did the Eltham Ordinances (1526) achieve?

They reduced the number of Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber in Henry VIII's household from 12 to 6

Why was the Eltham Ordinances a success for Wolsey?

It allowed Wolsey to have more influence over the King

What was the expulsion of the minions (1519)?

Wolsey's attempt to purge the Privy chamber

Who were two members of the Privy Chamber who were expelled due to the Expulsion of the Minions?

Sir Bryant and George Boleyn (however they later gained their positions back)

What were the failures of Wolsey's administrative reforms?

They did not actually help him to maintain his power, Henry still had the power to destroy Wolsey despite his monopolising and he fell from the King's favour a few years later

What actions did Wolsey take towards social reform?

He launched a national inquiry in 1517 with some landowners prosecuted for enclosure

How many landowners had action taken against them?

264 landowners

How many landowners were taken to court?

222 landowners

How many cases were cleared?

188 out of 222

What were the failures of Wolsey's social reform?

In 1523, Wolsey, in a parliamentary session, was forced to accept enclosures

What did the Star Chamber deal with?

Criminal court dealing with illegal corruption

What did the court of Chancery deal with?

Disputes over property and wills

What was the Court of Chancery also known as?

The Court of Requests

What were the advantages of the court of Chancery?

Cheap and impartial justice for the poor, who previously could not access court justice

Successes of the Star Chamber?

It kept members of the court busy - the men who advised Henry in the council had their attention diverted

How much did the cases heard in the Star Chamber increase?

100% increase in cases heard (12 to 120 per annum)

Failures of Wolsey's justice reforms?

Used the courts to further his own position, creating resentment within nobles who were abusing their privilege

Which noble was sent to Fleet prison because of the Star Chamber?

The Earl of Northumberland

Which noble did Wolsey punish for personal gain using the Star Chamber and why?

Wolsey used the Star Chamber to punish the nobleman Paulet for putting him in the stocks

How was Paulet punished by Wolsey?

He was forced to attend on Wolsey every day for 5 years

What reputation did Wolsey develop in the court of Chancery?

Developed a reputation in the court of Chancery among the nobles for being greedy as he accepted bribes