Henry VIII’s Early Aims
How successful was H8 in achieving his aims as king in the period from 1509 to 1529?
To some extent Henry VIII wanted to demonstrate a break from the past in order to present
himself as a vigorous king. Whilst he maintained many of his father’s policies, he did make 2
very clear changes. The first of these being arresting Empson and Dudley, the two men
responsible for implementing harsh financial policies. Their execution gained him passive
popularity. The second was to marry Catherine of Aragon. She had virtually been imprisoned
in England so by marrying her Henry would seem more heroic and chivalrous. It was also
politically worthwhile due to the restoration of the Anglo-Spanish alliance.
War was a very kingly activity, so it was only natural for Henry to prove himself as a warrior.
He was brought up on the tales of King Arthur and Henry V at Agincourt. This meant Henry
saw France as rightfully his, so he saw no better way to establish himself than launching an
expedition to France. However, such a goal was far more difficult in reality. Not only was
France much stronger, but Henry also faced difficulties at home due to a lack of support
from ministers over a war. In particular, Archbishop Warham and Bishop Fox wanted to
continue the policies of Henry VII and were later able to trick Henry into renewing the
French treaty in 1510.
Henry VIII’s Foreign Policy:
Potential Questions:
'How successful was English foreign policy from 1509 to 1529? (Aims of Glory, Establishing England
as a major power and asserting himself)
Had some success at times with an early campaign against France bringing a victory at the
Battle of the Spurs and the capture of Tournai and Therouanne. Furthermore, his victory
against the Scots at the Battle of Flodden was a clear sign that Henry was wanting to achieve
military glory by going into battle. However, Henry did miss out on a huge opportunity to
achieve the ultimate glory of taking the French throne. The war had cost Henry £400,000
which was a year’s income. This meant that he couldn’t capitalise on the Battle of Pavia in
1525 after Charles V captured Francis.
Henry would have also been determined to have established England’s position amongst the
European powers. Henry was able to use his victories at Flodden and Spurs to show England
as a powerful nation, potentially deterring any invasions or rebellions. Furthermore,
England’s late decision to join the League of Cognac and later declare war on Spain after
being allies may have presented England as untrustworthy and a potentially poor ally to
have. Anglo-French alliance did help improve their relations with the Treaty of Amiens, an
agreement to attack Charles. Overall didn’t do much and hardly benefitted England.
Due to the severe lack of funding that England had at this point due to Henry’s frivolous
expenditures, Henry had to turn to peacemaking as the way to establish his reputation,
which wasn’t the way he wanted to be viewed. He attempted to do this through mainly the
Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520. War had broken out between Francis and Charles. Charles
visited England in May 1520 and Francis soon after in June. These meetings put Henry at the
centre of the European stage and this was further enhanced as the meeting with Francis
soon became what is known as FOCOG. It was a magnificent occasion and more than a year’s
income was spent on it in just 2 weeks. However, it achieved very little as within 2 years,
England and France were at war. Treaty of London also tried to unite countries to fight the
Turks, but this didn’t last long. War also destroyed Henry’s reputation.
, Wolsey:
Potential Questions:
'Wolsey's domestic achievements were limited' How far do you agree?
'Wolsey's ability was the main reason for his rise to power by 1514.' How far do you agree? (Ability,
Luck and Hard Work)
'Wolsey's law reforms were his greatest domestic achievement.' How far do you agree? (Law,
Financial and Social)
'Lack of noble support was the most important reason for Wolsey's fall from power.' How far do you
agree? (Noble Support, Marriage, and Faction)
Thomas Wolsey, the son of an Ipswich butler, was able to rise to become the king's
principal advisor and the second richest man in the country. His rise angered
nobility, who resented his wealth, seen mostly with his palace of Hampton Court,
and his jobs and close relationship with Henry. That combinations of luck, ability and
hard work were to thank for his rise.
Wolsey was certainly very talented, having attained a degree from Oxford at just 15
years old. He was also quick to recognise opportunities for promotion and was a
great flatterer, something that would be very helpful in his relationship with the
king.
Wolsey was also an extremely hard worker, and this appealed to a king who was less
interested in the general day-to-day running of the kingdom and more interested
with fun and courtly life.
Wolsey had made his mark under Henry VII as his chaplain, and later as the Dean of
Lincoln, and this had led to him being sent on diplomatic missions for the old king.
Wolsey first came to Henry VIII's notice as a member of Fox's entourage, but soon
realised that that backing this peace party would not endear him to a monarch who
wanted war, or a more forward/aggressive policy. Wolsey therefore gave the king
advice that he wanted to hear.
Luck also played a large part in Wolsey’s rise to power by 1514 as Henry was
determined to remove many of his father’s old advisors from power. Such figures as
Dudley were removed and other figures such as Warham and Fox wanted to make
their political retirements. These pieces of luck allowed Wolsey to capitalise on the
opportunities that he was given. Without the aid of luck to help him, he would have
never been able to rise to the positions that he did. Furthmore, the expedition to
France is what gave him his opportunities. Without the luck of this expedition
occurring, Wolsey could have never risen.
Opportunity for Wolsey to make his mark was the 1513 expedition to France.
Wolsey took on organisational tasks, which many of the more experienced officials
did not want due to their obvious difficulties. However, Wolsey overcame both
logistical obstacles in supplying the army and opposition from those in authority
whose rights he ignored so the King's wishes were met.
It appears that by 1514, the king was referring all matters of business to Wolsey. This
influence was initially not reflected in any official position of power, but this soon
followed and by 1515 he had become Lord Chancellor and a cardinal. Rise continued
and in 1518 he was appointed papal legate and in 1524 this was confirmed for life.
Wolsey was chief minister for 15 years from 1514 to his fall in 1529. Most accounts
argue that he achieved very little in terms of domestic policy in this period, largely
How successful was H8 in achieving his aims as king in the period from 1509 to 1529?
To some extent Henry VIII wanted to demonstrate a break from the past in order to present
himself as a vigorous king. Whilst he maintained many of his father’s policies, he did make 2
very clear changes. The first of these being arresting Empson and Dudley, the two men
responsible for implementing harsh financial policies. Their execution gained him passive
popularity. The second was to marry Catherine of Aragon. She had virtually been imprisoned
in England so by marrying her Henry would seem more heroic and chivalrous. It was also
politically worthwhile due to the restoration of the Anglo-Spanish alliance.
War was a very kingly activity, so it was only natural for Henry to prove himself as a warrior.
He was brought up on the tales of King Arthur and Henry V at Agincourt. This meant Henry
saw France as rightfully his, so he saw no better way to establish himself than launching an
expedition to France. However, such a goal was far more difficult in reality. Not only was
France much stronger, but Henry also faced difficulties at home due to a lack of support
from ministers over a war. In particular, Archbishop Warham and Bishop Fox wanted to
continue the policies of Henry VII and were later able to trick Henry into renewing the
French treaty in 1510.
Henry VIII’s Foreign Policy:
Potential Questions:
'How successful was English foreign policy from 1509 to 1529? (Aims of Glory, Establishing England
as a major power and asserting himself)
Had some success at times with an early campaign against France bringing a victory at the
Battle of the Spurs and the capture of Tournai and Therouanne. Furthermore, his victory
against the Scots at the Battle of Flodden was a clear sign that Henry was wanting to achieve
military glory by going into battle. However, Henry did miss out on a huge opportunity to
achieve the ultimate glory of taking the French throne. The war had cost Henry £400,000
which was a year’s income. This meant that he couldn’t capitalise on the Battle of Pavia in
1525 after Charles V captured Francis.
Henry would have also been determined to have established England’s position amongst the
European powers. Henry was able to use his victories at Flodden and Spurs to show England
as a powerful nation, potentially deterring any invasions or rebellions. Furthermore,
England’s late decision to join the League of Cognac and later declare war on Spain after
being allies may have presented England as untrustworthy and a potentially poor ally to
have. Anglo-French alliance did help improve their relations with the Treaty of Amiens, an
agreement to attack Charles. Overall didn’t do much and hardly benefitted England.
Due to the severe lack of funding that England had at this point due to Henry’s frivolous
expenditures, Henry had to turn to peacemaking as the way to establish his reputation,
which wasn’t the way he wanted to be viewed. He attempted to do this through mainly the
Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520. War had broken out between Francis and Charles. Charles
visited England in May 1520 and Francis soon after in June. These meetings put Henry at the
centre of the European stage and this was further enhanced as the meeting with Francis
soon became what is known as FOCOG. It was a magnificent occasion and more than a year’s
income was spent on it in just 2 weeks. However, it achieved very little as within 2 years,
England and France were at war. Treaty of London also tried to unite countries to fight the
Turks, but this didn’t last long. War also destroyed Henry’s reputation.
, Wolsey:
Potential Questions:
'Wolsey's domestic achievements were limited' How far do you agree?
'Wolsey's ability was the main reason for his rise to power by 1514.' How far do you agree? (Ability,
Luck and Hard Work)
'Wolsey's law reforms were his greatest domestic achievement.' How far do you agree? (Law,
Financial and Social)
'Lack of noble support was the most important reason for Wolsey's fall from power.' How far do you
agree? (Noble Support, Marriage, and Faction)
Thomas Wolsey, the son of an Ipswich butler, was able to rise to become the king's
principal advisor and the second richest man in the country. His rise angered
nobility, who resented his wealth, seen mostly with his palace of Hampton Court,
and his jobs and close relationship with Henry. That combinations of luck, ability and
hard work were to thank for his rise.
Wolsey was certainly very talented, having attained a degree from Oxford at just 15
years old. He was also quick to recognise opportunities for promotion and was a
great flatterer, something that would be very helpful in his relationship with the
king.
Wolsey was also an extremely hard worker, and this appealed to a king who was less
interested in the general day-to-day running of the kingdom and more interested
with fun and courtly life.
Wolsey had made his mark under Henry VII as his chaplain, and later as the Dean of
Lincoln, and this had led to him being sent on diplomatic missions for the old king.
Wolsey first came to Henry VIII's notice as a member of Fox's entourage, but soon
realised that that backing this peace party would not endear him to a monarch who
wanted war, or a more forward/aggressive policy. Wolsey therefore gave the king
advice that he wanted to hear.
Luck also played a large part in Wolsey’s rise to power by 1514 as Henry was
determined to remove many of his father’s old advisors from power. Such figures as
Dudley were removed and other figures such as Warham and Fox wanted to make
their political retirements. These pieces of luck allowed Wolsey to capitalise on the
opportunities that he was given. Without the aid of luck to help him, he would have
never been able to rise to the positions that he did. Furthmore, the expedition to
France is what gave him his opportunities. Without the luck of this expedition
occurring, Wolsey could have never risen.
Opportunity for Wolsey to make his mark was the 1513 expedition to France.
Wolsey took on organisational tasks, which many of the more experienced officials
did not want due to their obvious difficulties. However, Wolsey overcame both
logistical obstacles in supplying the army and opposition from those in authority
whose rights he ignored so the King's wishes were met.
It appears that by 1514, the king was referring all matters of business to Wolsey. This
influence was initially not reflected in any official position of power, but this soon
followed and by 1515 he had become Lord Chancellor and a cardinal. Rise continued
and in 1518 he was appointed papal legate and in 1524 this was confirmed for life.
Wolsey was chief minister for 15 years from 1514 to his fall in 1529. Most accounts
argue that he achieved very little in terms of domestic policy in this period, largely
