Studied by 0 people
Ronald Hutton
What traits are pop. assoc. w/Henry VIII’s persona?
menace, good living, treachery
Why is Henry VIII portrayed on TV more than any other king?
His accessibility & relatability, exemplified by the fact that Cockneys can play him, showing him as "one of the lads."
How does Henry VIII differ from previous monarchs in public perception?
He is visualised like a modern ruler due to his well-documented likeness, unlike earlier kings known only from paintings.
Where did Henry VIII display Hans Holbein’s portrait of him, and why?
In his private chamber, reflecting his self-conscious effort to be seen as a truly great king.
Why did Henry VIII come to the throne with a "chip on his shoulder"?
His father denied him money, power & responsibilities that his brother Arthur had enjoyed.
Even after Arghut died, denied share govt.
What were Henry VIII's immediate actions as king?
Executed his father's financial advisor.
Declared war on France.
Reduced the Pope's influence over English Church.
Tries to have own chief minister made Pope
Only English king to make ser. but unrealistic bid to be HRE (most powerful king in Europe). - believ. he stood a chance.
Which historical figures inspired Henry VIII?
King Arthur: Admired Winchester Castle’s MA fake Round Table, had his own portrait painted w/King Arthyr upon table (linked his reign to Arthurian legend)
Henry V: Commissioned a biography of him pre-invaded France, emulating its descriptions his military campaigns (e.g. went around in disguise talking to soldiers pre-Agincourt + galloped ahead army to throw captured flags @ feet his wife)
What personal traits defined Henry VIII in his youth?
Manic energy & athleticism (wore out 8 horses/day, danced, wrestled_
Manic appetite (champion eater).
How did Henry VIII's jousting accident affect his life?
After head and leg injury in 1536, he → increasingly crippled, leading to weight gain…
Double price appetite & energy… kept eating at same rate → most overweight English king in history
(last 7 yrs life) 4 ft 6 inches around waist
chronic pain
increasingly bedridden & in pain ← head & shattered leg → increasingly angry, has chronic & viciously mad temper
What work ethic did Henry VIII exhibit at times?
Worked intensely (e.g., 4 hours/day writing against Luther).
Kept detailed oversight of state affairs…
seeing foreign ambassadors himself
(appointment diary) Lat 7 yrs, held 108 audiences w/them - a lot
told sec. state to submit documents state correspondences to him w/margins so he could make amendments
Encyclopedic memory/ total retention: could remember 100s gifts, pensions… he’d given dur. his reign, all servants in his court, every grant crown land, details every fort in his land, salary everyone who served him…
Why is Henry VIII’s approach to governance considered inconsistent?
He avoided council meetings and disliked committee work, long letters & depatches.
Postponed decisions. Venetian ambassador - ‘An angel sent ← heaven could not persuade him to make up his mind.’
Though obsessive ab. details, he often left much to others to read for him and had interest in major business.
Chronic annotator, editor & commentator w/short attention span - jumps into govt, gets bored & leaves.
Was Henry VIII cultured and intelligent?
yes
Learned scholar & musician who generously patronised the arts
Talented in music (composed masses and songs).
Owned a large library (1000 books he wrote all over, so def. read them) with notes showing he read widely.
these books on range subjects - reflected his range interests
Deep knowledge of military technology impressed his commanders(canons & warships) & foreigners.
could discuss geometry, mathematics, astronomy on equal terms with experts - impressed top Europen scholars with his real interest in intellectual pursuits
Erasmus said Henry had real interest in intellectual pursuits
Maintained a decorous court compared to others in Europe.
(courtiers not allowed to beat up locals as entertainm. as they were abroad; didn’t allow duelling or brawling bet. his courtiers; kept his mistresses out of sight rather than parading their beauty before the world; didn’t like jokes ab. sex (French ambassafor once tried on him a double entendre joke → Henry blushed & turned aw. angrily & wouldn’t speak to him thereafter)
Was Henry VIII cultured and intelligent?
No - what were Henry VIII’s notable indulgences?
Grosser side
Criticised intellectually
Though wrote dreadful poetry proclaiming his freedom ← vice…
Gambling (lost £3000 in two years).
Extravagance (owned 55 palaces - record for any English ruler).
Display and jewels (£11,000 in two years).
Jester Will Summer’s jokebook full H’s fav. jokes: gross
Enjoyed jokes about digestion but avoided crude reproductive humour.
Great memory but lacked originality, often parroting others’ ideas w/o deeper understanding.
Collected over 100 quotes against Luther ← scripture but never actually answers Luther’s point against sacraments
Not true scholar? Intellectual who executed scholar
How did Henry VIII interact with others personally?
was he a nice guys? yes
Charismatic & affectionate but could be violent and verbally abusive.
Alw. hugging & patting his courtiers.
Generous w/money, land & pardons → kept nobles loyal.
(William Roper) ‘he could make every man feel specially favoured’
(Erasmus) ‘like a companion not a king’
Flamboyant & desired admiration → often acted out in bad taste & lashed out when policies failed.
(French ambassador) ‘he wants to be in favour w/everyone.’
was he a nice guy? no?
Charismatic & affectionate but could be viol. & physically abusive
Didn’t just pat & hug but hit them around the head when angry & abused them verbally & obscenely (often, increasingly angry as got older)
Flamboyant & desired admiration → often acted out in bad taste lashed out when policies failed.
Lacked good taste - reg. threw scenes which embarrased observers
Chief minister & wife died after they fell out of favour → he threw parties in which he dressed in canary yellow, celeb. their deaths.
(after exec. Catherine Howard) Blubbered publicly on & off for weeks, embarrasing those around him. HIs courtiers often felt they were dealing with huge child. But he was lethally danger. child.
So wanted to please & be admired by all that when his policies failed & realised unpop., threw lethal tantrums → soemone else had to take the blame (Henry wanted someth. done & it hadn’t been done) - those who disappointed him had to die → factional warfare (knew could destroy each other if turned king against their rivals)
(last 10 yrs) encouraged factions to plot against each other, denounce each other for treachery & let the targets know
execute them or spare them, embarrasing their accusors?
played them like cats
all his big policies dur. his reign were in fact his ideas → his ministers had to find ways to make them work
Promoted talented individuals but often executed them if they failed
→ more political executions in his time than any other comparable time
case studies deviousness
Governor of Boulogne 1546
loved dividing people: France conquest boulogne was starving them out. Governor asked what to do, he asked council → instructed governor not to attack → got letter but then verbal message from messenger told him to attack French
had to attack fort, save it & save his own life & fort (will otherw. be destroyed by Henry if he loses battling the fort or disobeys him)
Henry took credit for the succ.
(Cranmer) Henry would hand suspect book to successive people for advice
if Henry doubtful ab. new book, would ask advisors’ opinion indiv. but not to discuss it w/anyone else, telling them he was only asking them alone (divide & conquer)
(Sir Thomas More) ‘would sell him at once if the price was right’
(1658) Cromwell executed
Such awful treatm. advisors → only 2 survived: Cranmer & brother-in-law Earl of Hertford
Shows he was intemperate king who allowed faction & intrigue to rule his court, concerned only w/his own pleasure & grandiosity?
How many political executions Henry VIII’s reign?
330 political executions in 8 yrs alone (70 just for words)
people for political offences, 70 of those just for speak. against royal policy after he’d changed law
Regularly executed disloyal/ politically inconvenient advisors, ensuring obedience ← others.
What is an example of Henry VIII’s cruelty? - lethally dangerous
was he a nice guy? no?
The Pilgrimage of Grace: He deceived and arrested peaceful rebels, subjecting leaders to horrific executions.
Robert Aske ensured rebels didn’t march on London but politely negotiated with king
Said would send negotiators → rebels went home → arrested them all
Had Aske merely hanged, rather than hung, drawn, quartered → changed mind had him hanged by his arms in chains (so took days to die, suffering terribly)
Monks of Sawley Abbey joined in, stopped to peacefully negotiate. Henry ordered the monks be hanged ← wood above abbey so that travellers would see them rotting
John Wyot arrested for speak. against royal policy
Couldn’t exec. someone for speaking against royal policy - had to had opposed it physically/ take army to incur death penalty (maximum pnihsment instead was to be put in pillary - stocks)
Had him put in pillary → ears nailed to wood → choice tearing ears free from nails or hav. to saw his own ears off (joked it was what a carpenter should be doing)
then changed law to make speak. against royal policy punishable by death
Court known for its intrigue & presence individuals who’d committed ser. offenses.
Turbulent & danger. nature court life → Henry VIII surr. himself w/courtiers often w/dark pasts, includ. acts viol.
Thomas Culpepper = courtier & close confidante - accused rap. woman & later stabbing her.
What did Henry VIII’s reign do to English religion?
Annotations ab. detail ritual & royal power (amended Sermon on the Mount)
Obsession w/minutiae ritual
Main interest in tak. over church - top-down view world
his bible: henry crossed out Jesus’ sermon on the mount ; got it wrong or was misquoted
had no feeling for the underdog
Damaged traditional religion - destroyed monasteries & artwork
Since only took interest in religion when politics @ stake (not v/relig.)…
Up to 97% relig. art destroyed ER’s icoloclasm
1000s paintings, frescoes, statues, mosaics, shrines & wood carvings
Smashed rood screens, tombs & stained glass windows
Pillaged/ destroyed libraries (estim. 80% books MA destroyed - tremendous loss scholarship)
Created weakened, impoverished church under his control.
was he good general or statesman?
Was Henry VIII a successful military leader?
Lavish tournaments he hosted enhanced England’s rep. on world stage.
Henry used royal progresses, tournaments & grand architecture to project power and win fav.
No, his attempts to conquer France and Scotland failed, with only temp. gains like Boulogne.
His campaigns in France & brutal invasion Scotland drained treasury. HIs attempt to pay for it by debasing coinage → constant inflation.
Nice fort now but then was French port which had to be surrendered back to French after he’d died because they couldn’t afford it.
(Starkey) H tore apart England + his own fam., entourage & patterns friendship
What he did destroyed the quite remarkable achievement of the first half of his reign, and particularly his accession, which had been to re-establish a very high degree of political consensus after the Wars of the Roses. The Wars of the Roses did not end in 1485. They did not end with Henry VII. Instability remained chronic and continuous throughout Henry VII's reign. Henry VII was totally incapable of reintegrating Yorkist sentiment within the English monarchy. It was the huge achievement of the young Henry that the war he launched against France in 1513 genuinely reunited the red and white roses.
lords and landowners reponded by remov. access to common pastures, turn. peasant pop. → beggars BUT this made farming more effic. & created lab. surplus that laid foundations for IR
How did he survive?
3 strengths
choice ministers
handling nobility
handling govt
how did he survive?
choice ministers
Talent Spotter
Expert at identifying and appointing capable admirals and generals.
Surrounded by people desperate for jobs; he ensured best talents filled right positions.
Last monarch pre-C20 to appoint WC minister (from Cromwell to Lloyd George).
Promoted talent but executed them when they failed.
Pontefract Articles: “The King takes of his Council, and has about him, persons of low birth and small reputation,” e.g. Lord Cromwell & Sir Richard Rich.
POG accused of fav. "low-born" advisors over trad. nobility.
Handling Nobility:
Managed nobility who could cause trouble (like dur. TCW) by pamper. & entertain. them.
Gifted/ sold for cheap confiscated land ← conquered nobles/ church, poss. biggest land grab in English history.
Doubled the wealth of his most powerful nobles, incentivis. their support.
Destroyed old families, redistrib. their land to loyal supporters.
Appointed 1/4 HOL to secure nobility's loyalty & ensure his survival.
Achievements:
Nobles contributed to successes like effective taxation system w/o alienating subjects (steady income w/o rebellions).
Integrated Wales a→ English state on agreeable terms, same would’ve happened to Ireland if his policy had been carried on
Successful outcomes; his adept handling nobility & advisors.
how did he survive?
What role did Parliament play in Henry VIII’s reign?
Confid. but anxiety (chip on his shoulder) → desire to work w/parl. & use it as machine to do what he wanted
He empowered Parliament → centre English govt, ensuring his policies passed and elevating its status in governance.
All his major reforms went through Parl. no other country time allowed its people such say in govt.
BUT essentially used Parl. as rubber stamp for his own personal will.
Created ¼ it himself, kept rest it happy w/handouts.
Ensured best speakers elected into HoC & best speakers fix order HoC + he chooses speaker → debates can be manipulated in govt’s favour
Cleared out those in HOL who spoke against him
Amended legislation if it didn’t get through.
Meanwhile, ruled like tyrant, executing those he suspected of disloyalty
e.g. great statesman & philosopher Thomas More, once his close friend & advisor
How is Henry VIII remembered?
For his size, no. women he married, monster menace…
Autocratic leadership - G.W. Bernard described him as tyrant
Centralized power in his hands, using fear and manipulation to control court and council.
Relied on execution to remove perceived threats (e.g., Thomas More, Anne Boleyn).
Heavy reliance on advisors like Thomas Cromwell but discarded them when inconvenient.
Yet his star-like image remains indelible in English culture, which he would have appreciated.
Pubs The King’s Head image Henry
Embodied contradictions monarchy on verge modern era
devout believer who broke w/Church
man of learning who executed scholars
king who brought stability to throne but used it to promote his own glory
Liz the Spinster
Did she want to be a spinster?
No, she loved Robert Dudley but couldn’t marry him due to political unpopularity.
Couldn’t marry for love; needed an equal—most powerful candidates were Catholic, which was incompatible with her Protestant stance.
Why didn’t she marry?
Limited options: Protestantism boxed her in.
She would only consider a Catholic who could convert or practice Protestantism secretly—this didn’t happen.
Jealousy of Maids of Honour
Sexual jealousy towards her maids of honour when they married.
Example: Mary Shelton asked for permission to marry; Liz beat her so badly she broke a finger.
Liz’s Romantic Choices
Robert Dudley
Loved him but didn’t give him military command for most of his life.
Finally gave him command in Holland → disaster; only his timely death mitigated the fallout.
Spanish Ambassador on Dudley:“The Queen was going on so strangely that ruin was impending over her intimacy with Lord Robert.” (All Things Robert Dudley).
Duke of Alençon
Courted him for 5 years but eventually broke off the match.
Alençon’s later military career in Holland → worse disaster than Dudley.
Earl of Essex
Favoured him but gave him military command despite poor judgment.
Failed in Ireland → rebellion against her → executed.
“I am married to England.”
David Starkey - rel. bet. Liz & Robert Dudley
Controversial Rel.
Childhood bond deepened during their shared imprisonment in the Tower.
Spanish Ambassador reported Elizabeth “in love” with Dudley, sparking scandal.
Death of Dudley’s wife, Amy Robsart, led to accusations of murder, damaging both reputations (English Heritage).
Political Sacrifices
Elizabeth offered Dudley as a suitor to Mary, Queen of Scots, claiming:
“If I wanted a husband, I would marry him myself” (David Starkey, Episode 2).
Liz’s pathological consistency
Impact taxation
Territorial Policies
Pathological Consistency
Hated change. Kept familiar faces even if disloyal (e.g., Duke of Norfolk, Mary Queen of Scots).
Rarely replaced privy council members; preferred appointing their sons.
Impact on Taxation
Did nothing to adjust taxes during rampant inflation.
Left monarchy’s income 40% lower than at the start of her reign.
Territorial Policies
Reluctant to expand. Avoided acquiring the Netherlands or territories in the Americas.
Focused on confirming her rule over Ireland at great expense.
Impact on Church
Religious Policy
Protestant at heart but compromised to keep peace.
Created a hybrid church → neither Catholics nor Protestants fully happy.
Clergy Wives
Allowed clergy to marry but refused to receive their wives at court.
Her Ego and Leadership Style
Diva Tendencies
Demanded constant compliments from ambassadors and courtiers.
Skilled in one-liners and public appearances to maintain her regal image.
Dislike for Paperwork
Avoided council meetings and documents. Relied on talent spotters but was often manipulated.
Iconography
Depicted herself as a goddess and saint. Endorsed medallions, stencils, and songs celebrating her.
The Decline
Old Age and Public Perception
Tried to maintain her youthful image with makeup, low-cut dresses, and potions.
Lost popularity with the court but remained beloved by the common people.
Final Years
Failed to reform monopolies, leading to public resentment.
Addressed Parliament with a tear-jerking speech, showcasing her enduring charisma.
Legacy
Symbolized her connection to her people with the wildflowers story—commoners mourned her deeply despite her faults.
Liz I’s style of rule
flattery & manip.
cautious dec.-mak.
1
Used her charm and wit to control her court and maintain loyalty.
Cultivated a personal, almost mystical relationship with her subjects (Judith Richards on Queenship).
Nicknamed suitors (e.g., “the frog” for her French prince) to downplay their seriousness.
2
Balanced personal desires and political needs, as highlighted by her refusal to marry.
Played foreign suitors against each other to maintain England’s indep. (David Starkey, Robert Dudley).
similarities in leadership bet. Henry & Liz
egocentric governance
personalised appointments
1
Both centered their courts around their own personalities.
Henry: Lavish court ceremonies emphasized his divine kingship.
Elizabeth: Styled herself as a "Virgin Queen," equating her rule with divine favor.
2
Henry appointed favorites like Thomas Wolsey for political expediency.
Elizabeth appointed Robert Dudley, her childhood friend, as Master of the Horse, raising eyebrows (David Starkey).]Close personal relationship with Dudley sparked jealousy and factionalism at court.
Dudley accused of manipulating state affairs for personal gain
“Lord Robert had made himself master of the business of the state and of the person of the Queen.”
BUT fact she didn’t marry him showed pragmatic - managed competing factions, avoid. bloodshed characterised Henry’s court.
How do Henry & Liz compare in how they treated rebellions & tyranny?
Could Liz be called tyrant?
Handling Rebellion
Elizabeth quelled the Northern Rebellion (1569) with ruthless efficiency:
Executed 700 rebels, left bodies to rot publicly as warnings.
“Spare no offenders; their bodies are to remain till they fall to pieces where they hang.” (Starkey on the Northern Rebellion).
Seized & redistrib. lands to Prot. supporters (Starkey).
Unlike Henry, Elizabeth delayed Norfolk’s execution despite multiple plots against her.
Could Elizabeth Be Called a Tyrant?
Judith Richards: Elizabeth leaned on her father’s lessons but avoided his extreme brutality.
Delayed actions against enemies like Mary, Queen of Scots, until absolutely necessary.
Liz’s mystique
creating public image
eccentric governance
Creating a Public Image
Styled herself as a "superwoman" rather than a typical woman.
Depicted in portraits as a goddess or saint, reinforcing her divine right (Judith Richards).
Public progresses and court ceremonies showcased her charisma.
Eccentric Governance
Disliked paperwork; relied on council for governance.
Demanded loyalty but avoided alienating long-term servants, even when disloyal.
Liz’s rel. w/her people
cultiv. pop.
public displays majesty
reluctant severity
Maintained a strong bond with her subjects through public appearances and rhetoric (see seminar source)
Styled herself as both a divine monarch and a relatable figure.
Liz’s progresses allowed her to engage w/populace, reinforce. her image as VQ.
Unlike her father, Elizabeth often delayed harsh decisions, such as executing Mary, Queen of Scots, to preserve her public image.
comparative legacy
tyranny or pragmatism
impact on England
Henry VIII: Aggressively expanded monarchical power but at great human cost.
Elizabeth I: Balancing act between decisiveness and delay, maintaining stability through personal charm.
comparative legacy
impact on England
Henry VIII’s break with Rome defined England’s religious trajectory but created lasting conflict.
Elizabeth I stabilized the Church of England with a "middle way" but resisted further reforms (Judith Richards).
comparative legacy
succession challenges
Henry VIII left England divided, plagued by questions of legitimacy.
Elizabeth I avoided naming a successor, leaving uncertainty but maintaining control during her reign.
comparative analysis
reliance on advisors
engagem. w/people
legacy relationships
Henry: Dependent on a few powerful individuals, such as Cromwell and Cranmer, but quick to discard them.
Elizabeth: Delegated to a broader group, ensuring no single advisor wielded too much power.
Henry: Projects like the dissolution of monasteries alienated many, leading to uprisings.
Elizabeth: Used rhetoric and progresses to maintain popular support, though ruthless when rebellion arose.
Henry: Left a court culture defined by fear and intrigue, with advisors frequently executed.
Elizabeth: Balanced loyalty and manipulation, fostering stability while avoiding extreme measures.
Note 
Flashcard (127)