henry viii - background
- Created by: valentina__calcagni
- Created on: 17-02-21 10:49
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- Henry VIII
- Personality
- Different to Henry VII?
- Henry VIII had smooth succession when father died (21 April 1509)
- welcomed by nobility and nation due to determined character
- VIII had been trained to be King - made Duke of York and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland at young age
- Rejected father's defensive policy - wanted to be an 'imperial' King
- Chose traditional, costly policy - e.g French Crown - wanted to emulated Henry V's English victory at Agincourt through military expedition
- Henry VIII had smooth succession when father died (21 April 1509)
- Strong or weak? (HD)
- Strong: determined, self-assured character. 'Puppeteer' for appointing talented politicians and administrators
- e.g Wolsey, Thomas More, Cromwell. King also involved in direction of gov and foreign policy affairs followed his aims
- Weak: easily manipulated by nobility/lovers (unlike father). Reactive not proactive in gov and foreign affairs. Lacked vision meaning he didn't control events; they controlled him.
- Strong: determined, self-assured character. 'Puppeteer' for appointing talented politicians and administrators
- 'Renaissance Prince'
- Handsome - over 6ft - great pride
- Courts of Renaissance princes, costume important aspect of courtly magnificence - image projected by King
- Henry wanted his court to reflect a Renaissance royalty - place of magnificence - spent lavishly on courts (like Henry VII) to emp Renaissance credentials + impress
- e.g temp palace near Calais to impress French King, Francis I
- Interests and Religion
- Educated (Astronmy, latin, french, complimented musician)
- Henry enjoyed having a good time - he let others do all boring administrative stuff - Henry VIII only let nobility close to him (unlike dad)
- Religious beliefs - mother Margaret very religious - key believer of Divine Right of Kings
- Enjoyed honourable ideas of chivalry and importance of kingly values - image of 'perfect knight' very fashionable - motivated by traditional concerns - nobility, jousting and battlefield
- Henry enjoyed having a good time - he let others do all boring administrative stuff - Henry VIII only let nobility close to him (unlike dad)
- Educated (Astronmy, latin, french, complimented musician)
- Different to Henry VII?
- Aims
- Military glory - like Henry V
- Secure French Crown
- Keep Netherland links - cloth trade
- Secure dynasty
- Collect French pension
- Compare well with other monarchs - rivals Charles V (S), Francis I (F)
- Henry's role in Government to 1529
- 1514-29 - Rise of Wolsey
- Henry's early actions:
- Execution of Empson and Dudley: Henry VII's financial advisors - VII had them executed for treason - used as scapegoats for unpopular aspects of VII's policies
- Marriage to Catherine: within days of VII dying, Henry announced his decision to marry Catherine of Aragon. Marriage useful for Henry to demonstrate his fidelity and strengthening the dynasty
- Personality
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