8-Henry VIII, Government and Parliament

Henry VIII’s Ruling Style

Work Style:

  • Disliked mundane, hard work; delegated responsibilities to others.

Council's Influence:

  • Council's style varied as different figures gained influence.

Parliament During Henry VIII’s Reign

Functions:

  • Granted extraordinary revenue to the Crown.

  • Passed laws, though it was rarely used for advising the monarch.

Parliamentary Sessions Pre-1529:

  1. 1510 (Jan-Feb): Abolished the Council Learned in the Law.

  2. 1512-1514 (Feb-Mar):

    • Granted extraordinary revenue for invasions of France and Scotland.

    • Anticlerical Act restricted the benefit of clergy.

  3. 1515 (Feb-Dec):

    • Act restricting benefit of clergy not renewed despite anticlerical sentiment.

  4. 1523 (Apr-Aug):

    • Approved extraordinary revenue for the invasion of France.

    • Speaker Sir Thomas More made the first known plea for MP freedom of speech.

    • Anticlerical sentiment appeared reduced.

Reformation Parliament (1529-1536):

  • Focused on issues like the royal supremacy.

Other Notable Sessions:

  • 1536 (Jun-Jul): Enacted a new Succession Act after Anne Boleyn’s fall.

  • 1539-1540 (Apr-Jul):

    • Granted extraordinary revenue for invasions.

    • Passed religious legislation, e.g., dissolution of monasteries, Six Articles Act.

  • 1542-1544 (Jan-Mar):

    • Approved extraordinary revenue for invasions.

    • Dealt with succession issues.

  • 1545-1547 (Nov-Jan): Provided extraordinary revenue.

Conciliar Government (1509-1514)

End of Conciliar Government:

  • Henry became disenchanted with senior councillors’ reluctance to support a war with France.

  • He asserted decision-making authority, surrounded himself with young courtiers, and was impressed by Thomas Wolsey’s organizational skills.

Key Figures and Departments

Thomas Wolsey:

  • Rise:

    • Born to a butcher; won a scholarship to Oxford.

    • Rose rapidly through Church and state ranks, becoming Cardinal and Lord Chancellor by 1515.

    • Papal Legate (1518).

  • Key Contributions:

    • Managed the Church, foreign relations, domestic policy, and legal system.

    • Extended the Court of Star Chamber and Court of Requests for the poor.

    • Oversaw financial reforms, including a national tax committee and Eltham Ordinances (1526).

  • Challenges:

    • Failed Amicable Grant (1525).

    • Opposition from Anne Boleyn’s faction.

  • Fall:

    • Charged with praemunire in 1529, stripped of power, and died en route to trial in 1530.

Privy Chamber:

  • Extended during Henry’s early reign and dominated by "minions."

  • Wolsey attempted to control it but with limited success.

Court of Star Chamber:

  • Established in 1487; significantly extended by Wolsey.

  • Provided access to fair justice, though it became overburdened.

The King’s Great Matter and Royal Supremacy

Context:

  • Henry sought a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, citing divine punishment and lack of a male heir.

Wolsey’s Efforts:

  1. Scriptural arguments using Leviticus faced theological challenges.

  2. Diplomatic maneuvers with France failed to counter Charles V.

  3. Legal tactics attempted through English hearings were blocked by Catherine’s appeal to the Pope.

Outcome:

  • Pope Clement VII, influenced by Charles V, delayed decisions, frustrating Henry.

Thomas Cromwell and Domestic Policies (1532-1540)

  • Rise to Power:

    • Suggested Henry break with Rome to annul his marriage, becoming chief minister by 1532.

  • Reformation Parliament (1529-1536):

    • Shifted focus to Church reform and Henry’s divorce after Wolsey’s death.

  • Religious Reforms:

    • Parliament asserted royal supremacy over canon law.

    • Cromwell exploited Church weaknesses and encouraged anti-clerical sentiment.

  • Acts of Parliament:

    • Act in Restraint of Appeals (1533): Prevented appeals to Rome.

    • Act of Supremacy (1534): Made Henry Supreme Head of the Church.

    • Act of Succession (1534): Declared Anne Boleyn’s children legitimate heirs.

    • Treason Act (1534): Criminalized dissent against the monarchy.

    • First Fruits and Tenths Act (1534): Redirected Church payments to the Crown.

Dissolution of Monasteries (1536–1542):

  • Confiscated Church lands, increasing Crown wealth but with long-term limitations.

Fall of Key Figures

Anne Boleyn:

  • Convicted of adultery and incest, likely through fabricated evidence by Cromwell.

  • Executed in 1536, shortly after Catherine of Aragon’s death.

Thomas Cromwell:

  • Arranged Henry’s failed marriage to Anne of Cleves, leading to his arrest and execution in 1540.

Government in Henry’s Last Years (1540-1547)

Conciliar Government Restored:

  • Reestablished after Cromwell’s fall, with factional rivalries intensifying.

Catherine Howard:

  • Executed for adultery in 1542, undermining Norfolk’s political influence.

Katherine Parr:

  • Married Henry in 1543; politically significant and supported Protestant reform.

Power Struggles:

  • Edward Seymour gained prominence as Henry’s health declined.

  • Norfolk was imprisoned but spared execution by Henry’s death in 1547.