Structure and Organisation of Government

Privy Council - For

Cromwell introduced a smaller privy council of about 20 members from 1536, made the council more efficient and powerful, professional laywers and administrators

Principal Secretary - For

Cromwell appointed Principal Secretary 1534 and transformed it from a role of a King’s private servant to that of a Great Office of the Realm

Chamber system - For

Cromwell ended the Chamber system and restored the Exchequer

Departments - For

Court of Augmentations 1536 to handle income from former monastic lands, Court of Wards 1540 to deal with increased feudal revenues

Privy Council - Against

The idea of a smaller Privy Council dated back to Wolsey and the Eltham Ordinances and the Privy Council that emerged contained a majority of Cromwell’s opponents so 1537-40 Privy Council could not excercise authority

Privy Council post Cromwell - Against

Only developed as an organisation after Cromwell’s death and it did not remain small as Edward and Mary increased its size

Exchequer - Against

The use of the Exchequer was nothing new, was common in the Middle Ages

Departments - Against

New departments were ad hoc solutions to a particular problem, some new departments were set up after he died - Court of First Fruits and Tenths 1540 to collect clerical taxes that had once gone to Rome, Court of General Surveryors 1542 to administer land confiscated from the monasteries