Henry VIII

Government-He was different from his father as his did not get involved in the day to day running of the country. He allowed his ministers to take public responsibility for unpopular policies. He destroyed his closest advisors when they did not do what he wanted. Despite the fact that he left the day to day running to his closest advisors, they always knew that they were not in complete control and so could not ignore the king.

Wolsey: He had good managerial skills. He was the chancellor of the royal council and used his role to control the nobility. He modernised the legal system, using the Star Chamber. This was used to attack nobles and local officials who abuse their power. He promoted civil law which was based on natural law and evidence than a precedent.

However, he was less involved in the financial problems. It can also be said that Wolsey’s government reforms were to undermine political opponents.

Cromwell: He was the Principal Secretary. Under him, each department was rigorously audited. Under him he had the Court of Augmentation and First fruits and Tenth. The Privy Council were also changed because it meant that no one person could dominate. He also made the government more bureaucratic rather than just under the control of the monarch.

Parliament developed because the king’s needed its support. It was for legislating the Reformation. It grew in omnicompetence. It was also made omnicompetent due to the change in relations with Wales. As well as this, if future laws were to be changed, this had t be done with the approval of Parliament.

Economics-He was prepared to spend a fortune on military campaigns that achieved nothing in France and Scotland. He left an appalling financial legacy to his son.

Foreign Policy-He rejected his father’s policy and was in favour of interventionist policy. This saw war with France.

Wales

1536-The Acts of Union. There were around 130 Marcher Lords. They were problematic because they had their own rules and could shelter potential criminals. There was also reports of social unrest and a number of Irish immigrants.

• Rhys ap Gruffydd-Did not get his titles. Attempted to complain. He was accused of having made contact with Scotland as well as Spain. However, it is thought that he was executed by Henry because he was powerful, spoke out against Anne Boleyn and was not in favour of the Reformation.

• Rowland Lee was brought in to restore law and order.

As a result, English became the only language to be used officially

Wales also benefitted in terms of trade

Wales also had a coherent and uniform system of government. Sidney remarked that the Welsh were better to govern than the English.

However, it is thought that were the BIble not translated into Welsh, the language would have been completely lost.

Socially, it almost destroyed the Welsh culture.

Legally, court of Great Sessions were introduced. New shires were introduced.

Act of 1536 gave each welsh person the same rights.

However, it can be said that these changes were not new.

Wales was still detache as a self-governing part of the kingdom with its own pre-1530s council.

English as the language for government and law had been developed before 1530s

Jps had also be introduced to crown counties prior to 1530.

Religion-He could end the threat many of his opponent posed because they came from the monasteries.

Henry could use the land gained from the dissolution to his advantage.

He saw swearing allegiance to the Pope as unacceptable.

Monastic revenue helped to pay for defence.

As well as this, Henry said that there was a lot of corruption within the Church.

Although he broke from Rome, he rejected the Lutheran doctrine of Justification by faith alone and was devoted to mass. He authorised the publication and the reading of the Bible in English translation.

Previously in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to a church door in Wittenberg.

1527-Henry asked the Pope to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

1534-The Act of Supremacy said that Henry was the Supreme Head of the Church.

He also attacked aspects he did not like through the dissolution of 800 monasteries.

However, he still heard mass at least once a day and had 10,000 masses said for his soul.

As an effect, many of the poor were not given help.

The dissolution was a huge cultural blow.

May of the monks and nuns were left in hardship.

Power transferred to the lay landowners.

It generated a profit of £800,000 by 1547 so taxes were not needed.

Opposition

The Pilgrimage of Grace 1536.

These were not against Henry but more of a demonstration to change his advisors and radical policies.

Why?

His policies

Unemployment

Religious greviances

Was it a threat?

Lincolnshire:

No: It fell apart because it did not achieve anything.

Yes: It was well supported by 10,000 people so it was clear that people agreed. It did not prevent another rising.

Pilgrimage of Grace:

Yes: It was supported by 30,000 people. They took over Pontefract castle in the North and negotiated with Henry.

Cumberland Rising:

No: Henry did not negotiate and had no intention of honouring the deal.

Yes: Henry must have seen it as a threat because he put a stop to the ringleaders.