wolsey in tudor england

Wolsey

Church positions:

• 1514 bishop of tournai and Lincoln

• 1514 archbishop of york

• 1515 cardinal

• 1518 legatea latere

Government positions:

• 1509 royal almoner (member of royal council)

• 1515 lord chancellor

Rise to power

• Luck-he came to be noticed at the time henry was keen to separate himself from his fathers old advisors. Wolsey was same age and capable.

• Opportunism- manipulated situations in ways in which would benefit him and henry. Took all available opportunity to further his intentions and gain positions.

• Pragmatism-adapted his beliefs and attitudes accordingly to henrys and did everything efficiently

• Ability & Skill- highly intelligent, graduated oxford at 15, coped well with demands of henry

Maintaining power

• + all rising factors

• Hardworking- constantly did all of government administration work and personally attended to everything made appearances at star chamber as chief judge

• Ruthlessness- completely controlled the patronage and eliminated opposition through constant surveillance eg:

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  • Eltham orinances- reduced size of chamber from 12-6 halving

nobility

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  • Removal of duke of Buckingham-charge or heresy death was

warning…