Henry VIII essay Plans
https://www.studocu.com/en-gb/document/middlesex-university-london/humanitarianism-
and-global-change/section-2-henry-viii-1509-1547/3404740?origin=studylist
https://quizlet.com/gb/703047733/tudor-essay-plan-flash-cards/
To what extent was Henry VIII manipulated by his chief ministers
‘In the years 1515 to 1540, policy was decided by ministers rather than by the
monarch.’
Henry VIII was content to allow ministers to “rule” for him’. Explain why you agree or
disagree with this view with reference to the years 1526-1547.
Henry VIII was content to allow ministers to “rule” for him’. Explain why you
agree or
disagree with this view with reference to the years 1526-1547.
Intro
- Content with ruling on his behalf – Wolsey (1514-1529) + Cromwell (1532-1540)
- Ministers had main role of handeling domestic issues e.g. reforming judicial system
+ handeling royal supremacy + under Cromwell the reformation of the church.
- = shows he was content.
- // not fully content – he returned to a concillor form of gov. in his later years.
- Not rule for him as he still had final say + larger decisions dictated by him.
Judicial system
- Content to allow ministers to ‘rule’ due to the political influence + power they held –
especially Wolsey.
- Seen as Wolsey assumed the function of reforming the judicial system.
- As Lord Chancellor, Wolsey had the role of overseeing the legal sysem, upholding
‘’fair justice’’. This led to Wolsey developing the Court of the Star Chamber
(established by the 1547 Act of Parliament)
o Extended in 1516 = cheap + fair justice.
o = Successful, forcing Wolsey to set up separate tribunals to prevent the
overflow of cases.
o Henrys conetnt can be seen as where Henry abstained from involving himself
in domestic policies, Wolsey was at the forefront of gov. so much so that he
was labelled the ‘Alter Rex’.
- = shows Henry = indeed content with allowing his key ministers to rule on his
behalf. With Wolsey making decisions of a king. Henry VII abstained from involving
himself in domestic policies – leaving such roles to his key ministers.
- This indicates that Henry was indeed content with allowing his key ministers such as
Wolsey to rule on his behalf as this behaviour is in stark contrast to his father who
was keen to maintain royal prerogative + regulate power of those supporting him.
- Wasn’t content on ministers ruling on his behalf as he did end up returning to his
concillor form of gov. between 1540-7. In this, gov. worked as a collective as
, opposed to one run by a single minister. Although demonstrating that Henry still
didn’t want to rule soley on his own, this indicated that he was no longer content
with ministers ruling on his behalf.
- After Wolsey’s execution, didn’t allow Cromwell to have the same power + took
Hamptom court for himself.
Finances
- Wolsey
- Wolsey allowed to follow his own agenda + deemed ‘alter rex’.
- One way Wolsey did this is through a government reform to reduce the finance
behind the privy Chamber. For example, he limited the amount of money the leader
of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, the Groom of the Stool (William Compton)
could spend to £10,000 per annum.
o // John guy argues that this was just an effort to his control.
o = Henry was content as he didn’t stop his ministers from claiming ultimate
power + controlling the Privy Chamber (the kings most trusted advisors).
- 1525 Amicable Grant = Henry intervened …..
- Cromwell
o Cromwell set up the Court of First Fruit and Tenths in 1540 to deal with
finances that were previously sent to Rome
The Church + Kings Great matter
- Henry was content with them ruling on his behalf due to their role in the ‘Kings Great
Matter’.
- Wolsey
o This led to the short term establishment of royal supremacy over the church
which was headed by the ministers as opposed to Henry himself – imploying
Henry prefereed a ‘’hands off’’ approach to politics, allowing his ministers to
yeild enough power to carry out their functions.
o With Wolseys role of Papal Legate. (granted by Leo X in 1515), he achived
greater powers than Henry in the Church
o Thus giving him a lot of power in the church = he illegally forced Church men
to resign = Henry didn’t mind.
o // 1528 = Wolsey appointed an abbess to the nunneries at Wilton in Wiltshire
– a psotiion which Henry had previosuly promise to one of his courtiers’
relations. After ignoring Henry’s instructions on 3 occasions, Wolsey
recognised the seriousness of the matter.
o Wolsey had to secure papal dispenstation for the annulment of his marriage
to Catherine.
o By keeping this matter exculsively to Wolsey and abstaining from the
negotiations – shows how Henry allowed his ministers to essentiatlly rule on
his behalf.
o Whilst he wasn’t successful – the fact his main function was to resolve the
Great Matter indicated Wolsey effectively had the power to influence domestic
+ foreign policy to resolve the issue.
o Shows he was content as through his help, they weilded enough power to
make drastic changes to England.
- Cromwell
o Cromwell successfully resolved the ‘Kings Great Matter’ by asserting royal
supremacy which subsequently led to the radical reformation of religion under
Henry.
, o Cromwell secured the marriage by igniting the break away from Rome.
o Cromwell exploited church weakness – challenging the supremacy of the
church to English law, headed by lawyer Christopher St German in 1528.
- Not entirely content – ultimatey, they did experience a downfall in their political
power + influence.
o Wolseys failure to resolve the Kings Great Matter Henrys frustration as well
as his pre-existing frustration towards him due to the 1523 subsidy.
o Led to his death on 29th November 1530.
o Cromwell = execution in July 1540.
o = Shows Henry was only content with his ministers ruling on his behalf if they
satisfactorily met certain standards. By falling behind this, they were liable to
execution, reinforcing the viewpoint that whilst Henry adopted a ‘’hands off’’
approach to politics, the power + influence of ministers was regulated was by
Henry. Through this. Henry established himself as the overall ruler as
ministers remained in check throughout their reign.
Foreign policy
- Henry would leave policy to Wolsey + Cromwell
- After the end of 1st French war
o Henry – not concerned with policy, left Wolsey to pick up the peaces otherwise
forced to fight a ‘war on two fronts.
o Where he recovered the Etaples pension + secured marriage – Mary + Louie
XII.
Shows Wolsey’s input as Henry went against the Etaples Pension
originally + didn’t want to be at peace with France.
o = Treaty of London 1518 – Wolsey
- // fighting – Henry wants to do himself.
- Wolsey negotiated with Charles V about annulment.
- When he failed = removed from power = Henry in power.
- Wolsey didn’t rule on his behalf – in power because he was the minister who came
forward for a plan to win France.
- = although he was diplomatically in control, Henry determined the aims + what
would be achieved.
- Field of the Cloth of gold = Henry definetly ruling.
Throughout his period of dominance, Wolsey sought to change the legal system, so it stood
on civil law rather than precedent (common law) in order to create fair justice. This was due
to his ‘low born roots’ (his father was a butcher) thus Wolsey sympathised with the poor.
Therefore, Wolsey reformed the Court of the Star Chamber, 1487 in 1516. This shows how
Wolsey ruled and not Henry, as this change was made due to his connection to the poor,
which Henry did not have. That said, by emphasing fair justice, the nobility’s power was
controlled – for example, the Earl of Northumberland was fined £10,000 and sent to prison
due to contempt of court. By reducing their power, Henry’s control and authority increased.
Showing that Henry perhaps allowed Wolsey to change the system as he saw the personal
benefit. Similarly, Cromwell also made changes to the legal system, his Court of
Augementations, 1536 was created to sort through money from the monasteries and
reformation. Unlike Wolsey, this was for little of his own benefit, instead this was to increase
Henry’s income and dominance. Thus showing that while Wolsey changed the courts for his
own gain which can be seen as him ruling, Cromwell changed the courts for the gain of
Henry showing that Henry was always in control and ruling.
, Another area of government which was reformed under these ministers was the Privy
Council. A Privy Councils main function was to advise the king, thus it should be made up
with people he trusts and has a good rapport with. Therefore the Privy Council was the one
area of government which Henry’s minister were not immediately in control of. However,
under Wolsey’s period of dominance he attempted to place his own men in the council for
example 1516. The fact that Henry let this happen implies that he was willing to let Wolsey
rule on his behalf. However, the men Wolsey removed quickly reestablished their position,
showing that Wolsey did not have the power of a ruling King – he could not dictate who
were in the Privy Council. That said, in 1526, his Eltham Ordinances shows his second
attempt where he replaced William Compton (Henry’s Groom of the Stool and Leader of the
Gentlemen) with the more compliant Henry Norris. This shows that by the end of his period
of dominance Wolsey had almost established the authority of a monarch which suggests
that he was the ruler. However, this reform was also due to his fear of reduced dominance
and acceptance from Henry after the failed Amicable Grant, 1525. This suggests that he
was not the true ruler as he was continually attempting to gain the acceptance of Henry.
Similarly Cromwell reformed the Privy Council by reducing its membership from c.50-70 to
only 20. This again suggests that he was the ruler as he had control over the ruler’s
advisers. However, this was instead to ensure that one person did not dominate the council
– Eltons thesis argues that this created a more bureaucratic system of government which
was more efficient. This shows that Cromwell was not the ruler as he did not dominate,
instead he helped Henry’s rule by making collective decision making more efficient to
secure the reformation. Thus showing that while both ministers had significant control over
the Privy Council, it was often in favour of Henry which suggests he was still the ruler.
A final area of government which least suggests that they ruled, and not Henry is the
church. Wolsey established the position as Papal legate in 1518, and these rights were
granted for life by Pope Leo X in 1524. This position gave Wolsey higher power than Henry
in the church which could imply that Henry allowed him to rule as he allowed him to
establish greater powers. However, in 1528 Wolsey appointed an abbess to the nunneries in
Wiltshire, but Henry had promised this position to one of his councillors’ relations, thus
forced Wolsey to back down. This shows that despite on paper Wolsey having greater
powers – Henry was still the ruler as he had higher authority. This is reinforced through
Wolsey’s failure to get Henry his annulment – which led to his downfall and death in 1530.
Showing that Wolsey was not the ruler as Henry still had total control as he could dismiss
his ministers. Similarly, despite arranging Henry’s break from Rome by helping Henry gain
royal Supremacy in the Church (Act of Supremacy, 1534). Cromwell also fell from power in
1540 due to his failed alliance with the League of Schmalkalden and marriage to Anne of
Cleves. Furthermore, Henry VIII was the Supreme Head of the Church of England, showing
that unlike Wolsey, Cromwell had less power than him in the Church. This shows that
Henry did not give Cromwell the same powers in the church and that he fell from power –
suggesting he was not the ruler. Within the Church, neither Cromwell or Wolsey had full
control, instead they carried out Henry’s wishes, highlighting he was always ruler.
https://www.studocu.com/en-gb/document/middlesex-university-london/humanitarianism-
and-global-change/section-2-henry-viii-1509-1547/3404740?origin=studylist
https://quizlet.com/gb/703047733/tudor-essay-plan-flash-cards/
To what extent was Henry VIII manipulated by his chief ministers
‘In the years 1515 to 1540, policy was decided by ministers rather than by the
monarch.’
Henry VIII was content to allow ministers to “rule” for him’. Explain why you agree or
disagree with this view with reference to the years 1526-1547.
Henry VIII was content to allow ministers to “rule” for him’. Explain why you
agree or
disagree with this view with reference to the years 1526-1547.
Intro
- Content with ruling on his behalf – Wolsey (1514-1529) + Cromwell (1532-1540)
- Ministers had main role of handeling domestic issues e.g. reforming judicial system
+ handeling royal supremacy + under Cromwell the reformation of the church.
- = shows he was content.
- // not fully content – he returned to a concillor form of gov. in his later years.
- Not rule for him as he still had final say + larger decisions dictated by him.
Judicial system
- Content to allow ministers to ‘rule’ due to the political influence + power they held –
especially Wolsey.
- Seen as Wolsey assumed the function of reforming the judicial system.
- As Lord Chancellor, Wolsey had the role of overseeing the legal sysem, upholding
‘’fair justice’’. This led to Wolsey developing the Court of the Star Chamber
(established by the 1547 Act of Parliament)
o Extended in 1516 = cheap + fair justice.
o = Successful, forcing Wolsey to set up separate tribunals to prevent the
overflow of cases.
o Henrys conetnt can be seen as where Henry abstained from involving himself
in domestic policies, Wolsey was at the forefront of gov. so much so that he
was labelled the ‘Alter Rex’.
- = shows Henry = indeed content with allowing his key ministers to rule on his
behalf. With Wolsey making decisions of a king. Henry VII abstained from involving
himself in domestic policies – leaving such roles to his key ministers.
- This indicates that Henry was indeed content with allowing his key ministers such as
Wolsey to rule on his behalf as this behaviour is in stark contrast to his father who
was keen to maintain royal prerogative + regulate power of those supporting him.
- Wasn’t content on ministers ruling on his behalf as he did end up returning to his
concillor form of gov. between 1540-7. In this, gov. worked as a collective as
, opposed to one run by a single minister. Although demonstrating that Henry still
didn’t want to rule soley on his own, this indicated that he was no longer content
with ministers ruling on his behalf.
- After Wolsey’s execution, didn’t allow Cromwell to have the same power + took
Hamptom court for himself.
Finances
- Wolsey
- Wolsey allowed to follow his own agenda + deemed ‘alter rex’.
- One way Wolsey did this is through a government reform to reduce the finance
behind the privy Chamber. For example, he limited the amount of money the leader
of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, the Groom of the Stool (William Compton)
could spend to £10,000 per annum.
o // John guy argues that this was just an effort to his control.
o = Henry was content as he didn’t stop his ministers from claiming ultimate
power + controlling the Privy Chamber (the kings most trusted advisors).
- 1525 Amicable Grant = Henry intervened …..
- Cromwell
o Cromwell set up the Court of First Fruit and Tenths in 1540 to deal with
finances that were previously sent to Rome
The Church + Kings Great matter
- Henry was content with them ruling on his behalf due to their role in the ‘Kings Great
Matter’.
- Wolsey
o This led to the short term establishment of royal supremacy over the church
which was headed by the ministers as opposed to Henry himself – imploying
Henry prefereed a ‘’hands off’’ approach to politics, allowing his ministers to
yeild enough power to carry out their functions.
o With Wolseys role of Papal Legate. (granted by Leo X in 1515), he achived
greater powers than Henry in the Church
o Thus giving him a lot of power in the church = he illegally forced Church men
to resign = Henry didn’t mind.
o // 1528 = Wolsey appointed an abbess to the nunneries at Wilton in Wiltshire
– a psotiion which Henry had previosuly promise to one of his courtiers’
relations. After ignoring Henry’s instructions on 3 occasions, Wolsey
recognised the seriousness of the matter.
o Wolsey had to secure papal dispenstation for the annulment of his marriage
to Catherine.
o By keeping this matter exculsively to Wolsey and abstaining from the
negotiations – shows how Henry allowed his ministers to essentiatlly rule on
his behalf.
o Whilst he wasn’t successful – the fact his main function was to resolve the
Great Matter indicated Wolsey effectively had the power to influence domestic
+ foreign policy to resolve the issue.
o Shows he was content as through his help, they weilded enough power to
make drastic changes to England.
- Cromwell
o Cromwell successfully resolved the ‘Kings Great Matter’ by asserting royal
supremacy which subsequently led to the radical reformation of religion under
Henry.
, o Cromwell secured the marriage by igniting the break away from Rome.
o Cromwell exploited church weakness – challenging the supremacy of the
church to English law, headed by lawyer Christopher St German in 1528.
- Not entirely content – ultimatey, they did experience a downfall in their political
power + influence.
o Wolseys failure to resolve the Kings Great Matter Henrys frustration as well
as his pre-existing frustration towards him due to the 1523 subsidy.
o Led to his death on 29th November 1530.
o Cromwell = execution in July 1540.
o = Shows Henry was only content with his ministers ruling on his behalf if they
satisfactorily met certain standards. By falling behind this, they were liable to
execution, reinforcing the viewpoint that whilst Henry adopted a ‘’hands off’’
approach to politics, the power + influence of ministers was regulated was by
Henry. Through this. Henry established himself as the overall ruler as
ministers remained in check throughout their reign.
Foreign policy
- Henry would leave policy to Wolsey + Cromwell
- After the end of 1st French war
o Henry – not concerned with policy, left Wolsey to pick up the peaces otherwise
forced to fight a ‘war on two fronts.
o Where he recovered the Etaples pension + secured marriage – Mary + Louie
XII.
Shows Wolsey’s input as Henry went against the Etaples Pension
originally + didn’t want to be at peace with France.
o = Treaty of London 1518 – Wolsey
- // fighting – Henry wants to do himself.
- Wolsey negotiated with Charles V about annulment.
- When he failed = removed from power = Henry in power.
- Wolsey didn’t rule on his behalf – in power because he was the minister who came
forward for a plan to win France.
- = although he was diplomatically in control, Henry determined the aims + what
would be achieved.
- Field of the Cloth of gold = Henry definetly ruling.
Throughout his period of dominance, Wolsey sought to change the legal system, so it stood
on civil law rather than precedent (common law) in order to create fair justice. This was due
to his ‘low born roots’ (his father was a butcher) thus Wolsey sympathised with the poor.
Therefore, Wolsey reformed the Court of the Star Chamber, 1487 in 1516. This shows how
Wolsey ruled and not Henry, as this change was made due to his connection to the poor,
which Henry did not have. That said, by emphasing fair justice, the nobility’s power was
controlled – for example, the Earl of Northumberland was fined £10,000 and sent to prison
due to contempt of court. By reducing their power, Henry’s control and authority increased.
Showing that Henry perhaps allowed Wolsey to change the system as he saw the personal
benefit. Similarly, Cromwell also made changes to the legal system, his Court of
Augementations, 1536 was created to sort through money from the monasteries and
reformation. Unlike Wolsey, this was for little of his own benefit, instead this was to increase
Henry’s income and dominance. Thus showing that while Wolsey changed the courts for his
own gain which can be seen as him ruling, Cromwell changed the courts for the gain of
Henry showing that Henry was always in control and ruling.
, Another area of government which was reformed under these ministers was the Privy
Council. A Privy Councils main function was to advise the king, thus it should be made up
with people he trusts and has a good rapport with. Therefore the Privy Council was the one
area of government which Henry’s minister were not immediately in control of. However,
under Wolsey’s period of dominance he attempted to place his own men in the council for
example 1516. The fact that Henry let this happen implies that he was willing to let Wolsey
rule on his behalf. However, the men Wolsey removed quickly reestablished their position,
showing that Wolsey did not have the power of a ruling King – he could not dictate who
were in the Privy Council. That said, in 1526, his Eltham Ordinances shows his second
attempt where he replaced William Compton (Henry’s Groom of the Stool and Leader of the
Gentlemen) with the more compliant Henry Norris. This shows that by the end of his period
of dominance Wolsey had almost established the authority of a monarch which suggests
that he was the ruler. However, this reform was also due to his fear of reduced dominance
and acceptance from Henry after the failed Amicable Grant, 1525. This suggests that he
was not the true ruler as he was continually attempting to gain the acceptance of Henry.
Similarly Cromwell reformed the Privy Council by reducing its membership from c.50-70 to
only 20. This again suggests that he was the ruler as he had control over the ruler’s
advisers. However, this was instead to ensure that one person did not dominate the council
– Eltons thesis argues that this created a more bureaucratic system of government which
was more efficient. This shows that Cromwell was not the ruler as he did not dominate,
instead he helped Henry’s rule by making collective decision making more efficient to
secure the reformation. Thus showing that while both ministers had significant control over
the Privy Council, it was often in favour of Henry which suggests he was still the ruler.
A final area of government which least suggests that they ruled, and not Henry is the
church. Wolsey established the position as Papal legate in 1518, and these rights were
granted for life by Pope Leo X in 1524. This position gave Wolsey higher power than Henry
in the church which could imply that Henry allowed him to rule as he allowed him to
establish greater powers. However, in 1528 Wolsey appointed an abbess to the nunneries in
Wiltshire, but Henry had promised this position to one of his councillors’ relations, thus
forced Wolsey to back down. This shows that despite on paper Wolsey having greater
powers – Henry was still the ruler as he had higher authority. This is reinforced through
Wolsey’s failure to get Henry his annulment – which led to his downfall and death in 1530.
Showing that Wolsey was not the ruler as Henry still had total control as he could dismiss
his ministers. Similarly, despite arranging Henry’s break from Rome by helping Henry gain
royal Supremacy in the Church (Act of Supremacy, 1534). Cromwell also fell from power in
1540 due to his failed alliance with the League of Schmalkalden and marriage to Anne of
Cleves. Furthermore, Henry VIII was the Supreme Head of the Church of England, showing
that unlike Wolsey, Cromwell had less power than him in the Church. This shows that
Henry did not give Cromwell the same powers in the church and that he fell from power –
suggesting he was not the ruler. Within the Church, neither Cromwell or Wolsey had full
control, instead they carried out Henry’s wishes, highlighting he was always ruler.
