Government under Wolsey

Name the types of government and in which years they occurred under Henry

• 1509 - 1514: conciliar

• 1514 - 1529: Wolsey as chief minister

• 1529 - 1532: Conciliar

• 1532 - 40: Thomas Cromwell as chief minister

• 1540 - 1537: Conciliar government in new form

Name the elements of government

• court; privy chamber

• Council; star chamber (learned in law abolished)

• Parliament; great council

• Justices of the peace

when did Wolsey get a seat on the royal council

1509 - becomes royal Almoner

giving money to the poor on Henry’s behalf. This is where he attracted Henry’s attention through eloquence, skill and hard work

When did Wolsey organise forces for France

1512

When does Wolsey become Cardinal

1515 - highest office in state

When does Wolsey become Lord chancellor (chief minister)

1515 - responsible for operation of legal system. In charge of royal government, all other courtiers had to go through him.

when does Wolsey become Papal legate

1518 - highest category of papal representative

• full papal powers

• legatine powers usually granted for limited time but Wolsey bagged lifetime power in 1524

What were Wolsey’s three main aims

Overseeing law and order, improve justice for all

Improving royal finance

Government administration and management

What did Wolsey do to achieve justice for all

• 1517 - 18 enclosure enquiry; court of chancery to punish people that ignored enclosure rules

• 1519; court of poor man’s request

• court of star chamber; cases involving nobles, bishops etc

• court of chancery; civil law ‘common sense/equity’ not common law

What were Wolsey’s successes in justice for all

• good intentions, attack corruption, court of poor man’s request shows commitment to justice

• court of sc hears 120 cases (10x h7), earl of Northumberland tried

• anyone can put case forward

Failures of justice for all