Henry VIII - Background and aims

Henry VIII’s strengths and weaknesses

Strengths: Attractive, good musician, capable horseman, jousting, fluent in French, Latin, Spanish and well versed in religion. Close ties to the Yorkist family.

Weaknesses: Not trained to be a King (trained to be a cardinal) or much political experience. Lost his mother and older brother in his early life. More focused on arts and sports than politics.

What problems did Henry face?

Debt, no heir, church is more powerful, threat of war, needs recognition

Aims of Henry VIII

Marriage to establish position in Europe

Abolition of council learned in law

Secure the succession

Execute advisors for treason

Use parliament to pass laws

Reform the church

War with Scotland

War with France

Pursuit of pleasure

How is Henry’s early reign different from his fathers?

Henry didn’t immediately announce the death of his father instead spending that time rounding up and executing his father’s advisors e.g. Empson and Dudley who were in charge of taxes. This gained him popularity as they were hated by the people.

Henry surrounded himself with nobility, joined in with sports and revelries and accompanied them to war.

Henry also befriended Yorkist nobles and was seen as a Yorkist prince.