Henry VIII and his ministers
- Who was really in control?
- What changed over time?
- Who held the most power?
Cranmer
- 1489-1556
- Later was Archbishop of Canterbury
- Enjoyed Henry’s personal confidence
- Uneasy relationship with Northumberland
- Mary burnt him at the stake for for heresy
- Along with Foxe made the Collectanea Satis Copiosa which provided Henry with
legal and historical principles to justify his divorce
Wolsey
- Level of independence of under henry - known as ‘alter rex’, gained huge amounts of
personal power
- Contemporaries jealous and hated him, due to his lowly background (son of Ipswich
butcher) at a time with virtually no social mobility, and his personal unpleasantness
which offended them
- Became Cardinal, Lord Chancellor and Legate alatere (job for life, when usually isn't)
- Residence = Hampton court palace
- Tries to become Pope but doesn’t get role
- Not an easy man to like, vain; ambitious; uses people; vindictive
- Testament to his skills that he survives so long
- Assists Henry on the early French campaigns, by 1547 Henry has grown into the role
- Pushy, arrogant, narcissistic, likes a display of power
- Great powers of organisation and administration
- Can't solve ‘The King’s Great Matter’, wanted to use diplomatic routes and argue the
case
- Eltham ordinances
- Amicable grant = starting to lose power
- Treaty of london
- Decision of 1526 alignment with France (become allies) against hre (autonomy and
independence?)
King
- Not interested in everyday detail of government details
- Broad sweep approach
- Interested in foreign policy (WAR)
- Has surges of energy and interest, gets bored easily (same with his wives)
- Does his approach change as he grows older and more confident?
- Personal monarchy - has an impact on government
- Can look at details microscopically if he is interested
- Who was really in control?
- What changed over time?
- Who held the most power?
Cranmer
- 1489-1556
- Later was Archbishop of Canterbury
- Enjoyed Henry’s personal confidence
- Uneasy relationship with Northumberland
- Mary burnt him at the stake for for heresy
- Along with Foxe made the Collectanea Satis Copiosa which provided Henry with
legal and historical principles to justify his divorce
Wolsey
- Level of independence of under henry - known as ‘alter rex’, gained huge amounts of
personal power
- Contemporaries jealous and hated him, due to his lowly background (son of Ipswich
butcher) at a time with virtually no social mobility, and his personal unpleasantness
which offended them
- Became Cardinal, Lord Chancellor and Legate alatere (job for life, when usually isn't)
- Residence = Hampton court palace
- Tries to become Pope but doesn’t get role
- Not an easy man to like, vain; ambitious; uses people; vindictive
- Testament to his skills that he survives so long
- Assists Henry on the early French campaigns, by 1547 Henry has grown into the role
- Pushy, arrogant, narcissistic, likes a display of power
- Great powers of organisation and administration
- Can't solve ‘The King’s Great Matter’, wanted to use diplomatic routes and argue the
case
- Eltham ordinances
- Amicable grant = starting to lose power
- Treaty of london
- Decision of 1526 alignment with France (become allies) against hre (autonomy and
independence?)
King
- Not interested in everyday detail of government details
- Broad sweep approach
- Interested in foreign policy (WAR)
- Has surges of energy and interest, gets bored easily (same with his wives)
- Does his approach change as he grows older and more confident?
- Personal monarchy - has an impact on government
- Can look at details microscopically if he is interested
