Consolidation:
Arrested Empson and Dudley; abolished Council Learned in Law.
Announced he would honour the marriage agreement with
Catherine.
Aspired to be a ‘warrior king’ like Henry V.
Cancelled 175 bonds and recognisances.
Executed Edmund de la Pole.
Continued to use JPs to enforce law.
Privy Council:
o Became more important.
o Smaller (~20 men).
o Wolsey and Cromwell.
Early Foreign Policy (1509-1514):
o 1512, first expedition to France failed.
o 1513, Wolsey masterminds second expedition to France.
o Battle of Spurs (1513): Victory over France, captured Tournai
and Therouanne.
o Battle of Flodden (1513): Defeat of Scotland, death of James
IV.
o Treaty of Saint Germain-en-Laye (1514): Cemented English
possession of Tournai and Therouane.
Government:
Wolsey (1509-1529):
Appointed Archbishop of York (1514), Cardinal (1515) and Papal
Legate (1518).
o Government Reforms:
Parliament called only twice, in 1515 and 1523.
1510: Abolished the Council Learned in Law.
1519: Removed the ‘minions’ from the Privy Chamber,
replacing them with his own supporters.