HENRY VIII: CONSOLIDATION

HENRY VIII: CONSOLIDATION

1. He came into the throne just 2 months before he turned 18. He was well educated for the task, including learning a limited amount about humanism.  He was well read, John Guy described him as able by second rate. The early impression of him was postitive, Eric Ives described him as 'extovert, affable and charming'.

2. THE END OF SLAVERY? - Henry's accession was welcomed as a breath of fresh air after sinister atmosphere assoicated with his father's reign due to Empson and Dudley. Sir Thomas More said it as "the end of slavery and the end of sadness but the beginning of joy." However Henry had zero experinece of governmnet or public affairs.

3. WHAT WAS HIS IDEA OF KINGSHIP? - His idea of kingship was very different to his fathers, he had a serve dislike for the bussiness of government and found the writing and reading of State paper both boring and tedious. But he could intervene in the bussiness of government contradicting decisions or actions which had already been taken. This approach had implications for the quality of decision- making within Henry's administration which was quite important given the nature of persoanl monarchy. He also lacked the work ethic which many historians attribute to his father ( HENRY VII HAD THE JOB OF CONSOLIDATING THE TUDOR DYNASTY DUE TO THE WAY HE BECAME KING - HENRY VII DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT BC HIS DAD HAD ALREADY ESTABLISHED IT FOR HIM). He preferred to pass the time wih good company - evident in the courtly activites which followed his accession, there was an emphasis on pagents, revelry, sports, hunting and tournaments. 

4. STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT? - due to the fact Henry wasn't involved directing in the bussiness of government the structure of government changed during his reign 

(1529-32)/ (1540 -47): these are the years in which there was governing through council. But two periods during his reign he relied on chief ministers to shape the structure of governemnt to meet his own needs. Th efirst was Thomas Wolsey who adapted the Star Chamber and the Second one was Thomas Cromwell who devised the reformation. 

5. WOLSEY: - was richly rewarded for his efforst, gained an impressive range of Church offices which ensured a lucrative living. Moreover, he achieved recognition from the papacy being appointed 

- Cadinal by Pope Leo X in 1515

- Papal Legate in 1518 (this meant he outranked the Archbishop of Canterbury William Warham giving him control over the religious orders in England)

- Lord Chancellor in 1515 (the aquisistion of…