Henry VIII's Crown and Parliament - A level History

Summary

This script discusses the early government of Henry VIII, focusing on his relationship with Parliament and how he altered the strong conciliar government inherited from Henry VII. Key ministers like Thomas Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell played significant roles in Henry VIII's administration, with Wolsey's Alpha ordinances of 1526 aiming to reorganize the Crown's administration. Henry VIII's reign saw Parliament called more frequently and for longer durations, marking a shift in parliamentary power and setting the stage for future sovereignty.

Takeaways

• 👑 Henry VII left a strong and stable government to Henry VIII, including experienced ministers like Sir John Heron.
• 🏰 The conciliar government under Henry VII was centered around the king with councils advising him and branching into different versions like the Grand Council.
• 👨‍✈️ Henry VIII preferred to employ talented ministers like Thomas Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell to run the government on his behalf due to his reluctance for long government hours.
• 📜 Wolsey's early governmental policies, including the Eltham Ordinances in 1526, aimed to reorganize the Crown's administration and finance, boosting his popularity.
• 🏛️ Parliament was called more frequently under Henry VIII (nine times) compared to Henry VII (seven times), with sessions lasting longer periods.
• 🛠️ The Reformation Parliament, which sat from 1529 to 1536, was a significant example of the extended sessions under Henry VIII's reign.
• 🌟 Wolsey's influence in the council was significant before becoming the main figure, contributing to his prestige and popularity.
• 📈 The use of parliamentary powers expanded under Henry VIII, laying the groundwork for future shifts in sovereignty from the monarch to Parliament.
• 🔄 Henry VIII's reign marked a revolutionary period for Parliament, with a significant increase in the use and duration of parliamentary sessions.
• 👥 Other ministers besides Wolsey and Cromwell had influence, but their impact was not as pronounced as the two main ministers.

Q & A

What was the nature of the government inherited by Henry the Eighth?

Henry the Eighth inherited a strong and stable government from his father, Henry the Seventh, which included ministers who served under both reigns, such as Sir John Heron.

How did Henry the Seventh's government differ from Henry the Eighth's in terms of council interaction?

Henry the Seventh was prepared to work closely with his council, while Henry the Eighth preferred to delegate governance tasks to talented ministers, showing a more hands-off approach.

Who were the two main ministers that ran the government under Henry the Eighth?

The two main ministers who ran the government under Henry the Eighth were Thomas Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell.

What significant action did Wolsey take that boosted his popularity with Henry the Eighth?

Wolsey established the Eltham Ordinances in 1526, which aimed to reorganize the Crown's administration and finance, thus boosting his prestige and popularity.

How did the frequency and duration of Parliament sessions differ between Henry the Seventh and Henry the Eighth?

Under Henry the Eighth, Parliament was called nine times and sat for longer periods, such as the Reformation Parliament which lasted from 1529 to 1536. In contrast, under Henry the Seventh, Parliament was called seven times and sessions were brief, often lasting only a few months.

What was the significance of the Eltham Ordinances in Wolsey's early government?

The Eltham Ordinances represented a fresh start for Henry the Eighth's government and were a key factor in Wolsey's rise to prominence within the council.

How did the role of Parliament evolve during Henry the Eighth's reign?

During Henry the Eighth's reign, Parliament saw a significant increase in its use and power, particularly in the 1530s, which laid the groundwork for later shifts in sovereignty from the monarch to Parliament.

What was the structure of the conciliar government as described in the script?

The conciliar government was structured with the king at the top, followed by his council, which advised the king. This structure branched out into different versions of the council, such as the Privy Council, and also included Parliament.

Why was Henry the Eighth considered 'lazy' in terms of governance?

Henry the Eighth was considered 'lazy' because he was not prepared for the long hours required for governance and preferred to employ ministers to run the government on his behalf.

How did the relationship between the king and his council change from Henry the Seventh to Henry the Eighth?

The relationship changed as Henry the Seventh was more inclined to work with his council, while Henry the Eighth delegated more authority to ministers, indicating a shift in the dynamic between the king and his council.

What was the role of Sir John Heron in the government under both Henry the Seventh and Henry the Eighth?

Sir John Heron served as a minister under both Henry the Seventh and Henry the Eighth, illustrating continuity in the government between the two reigns.