Cromwell 1529-1540

the 'Revolution of government' The Elton Thesis

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  • Created by: Sophie
  • Created on: 14-05-12 15:19

Constitutional Revolution

  • HVIII became head of Church AND State
  • extension of royal authority over Whales and semi-dependant regions Centralised HVIII's power

Criticism

  • The crown already had significant influence over the Church appointments and emergency taxation
  • Already had JP's ruling the North
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Political Revolution

  • 'King and Parliament' became King in Parliament
  • Importance of Parliament legislating for the reformation:
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            • composition of lords
            • procedural improvements
            • amount of legislation

Statutes of law increased by the religious changes

Criticism

  • Parlt. developed because the King needed it (it was used less under the later Tudors, Lizzie successfully controlled it's claims to be a partner in govt.)
  • only the workload increased not the power of Parlt. itself, the King still controlled when they met
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Bureaucratic Revolution

  • Emergence of the Privy Council as the engine of Govt.
  • Role of King's principal secretary (Cromwell) as co-ordinating Minister, rather than Lord Chancellor
  • Development of specialised departments of Govt. such as Financial courts

Criticism

  • govt. remained essentially personal to the King
  • Some specialisation had already happened in Medieval times (War of Roses reversed it)
  • Not long term, Lizzie changed it back
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