Wolsey in government administration

Wolsey’s aims

Attempted to control the Privy Chamber and bring more power to the King

Successes - Eltham Ordinances 1526

Reduced number of Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber and allowed Wolsey to replace the Groom of the Stool Sir William Comptom with his own man Sir Henry Norris

Successes - JP’s oath of allegiance to Henry

Local JP’s invited to court to swear an oath of allegiance to Henry, their name was recorded in a special book as a “king’s servant”, some given unsalaried positions at court, hope of further patronage as carrot method, punishment was being called to the Court of Star Chamber

Failures - Lack of control over Parliament

Wolsey could not manage Parliament, called only two parliaments in 1515 and 1523 to raise tax

Failures - 1515 Parliament discussion dominated by Hunne case

Discussion was dominated by Church issues, Wolsey dismissed parliament and begged Parliament for forgiveness of behalf of the Church before it even voted on his taxation requests

Failures - 1523 issues with money

Main priorities was to collect money for war against France, Wolsey overstepped the bounds of his role as Lord Chancellor in Parliament, Thomas More told him he had no right to enter the House of Commons