HENRY VIII COMES TO POWER 1509-20
Early life of Prince Henry
Education
His upbringing was not initially designed to prepare him as king
He studies languages, history, arithmetic and astronomy
He learnt several musical instruments and snag well
Also learnt horse riding and archery
Code of chivalry
Henry's first decisions
Advisors
Council Learned in the Law
He abolished this as it was seen as corrupt and hulgey unpopular
He also ordered the arrrest of his father's chief financial advisors Dudley and Empson
Wife
He honoured his promise to marry Catherine as this was seen as the honourable thing to do
Henry's court
Activities
Manner
Favourite were hunting, tennis and jousting
He enjoyed the company of scholars of the renaissance
He liked music and even 'compose' his own pieces
His court was dedicated to pleasure and refinement, a far cry from his father's frugal court
Residences
Henry increased the number and quality of royal residences
Style of government
Henry VII
He had a personal approach and was very conscientious
He took major decisions himself and ignores the parliament
He was not prepared to trust nobility
Henry VIII
He continued to use the JPs and encouraged talented advisors and administrators who were not members of the nobility
Privy Chamber
It became more important under HVIII
It comprised of 20 members of the court
They travelled with henry when he moved from house to house
When he dined only the most intimate advisors were allowed to attend
Foreign policy
Attitude
France
Scotland
He wanted to establish his presence and demonstrate his strength to other monarchs and his subjects
He wanted to be a glorious Renaissance warrior
Increase his international prestige, very different to HVII
1512
1513
Henry led an army there in 1512, but successes were limited
This was embarrassing as Henry had persuaded that a foreign campaign would be good for England's reputation
There was a second expedition the next year organised by Wolsey
It was a success and they captured town of Tournai and fortress of Therouanne, known as the Battle of the Spurs
This was sealed in the treaty of Germaine-en-Laye, which was negotiated by Wolsey
Treatment of nobility
While Henry was in France, the Scots led by King James IV saw an opportunity to invade
The defence was organised by Catherine of Aragon and the army led by the Earl of Surrey
The Scottish were defeated in what became known as the Battle of Flodden
Scotland lost ~10 000 men, most importantly the King, 9 earls, 13 barons and 3 bishops
This was a great succes as Scotland would not be in a position to invade for a long time
Early acts of goodwill
He disbanded the Council learned in the Law, which was widely viewed as corrupt
He cancelled 175 binds and recognisances still owing
Attitude
He regarded the nobility as friends and associates, with whom he could share his sporting and artistic pleasure
IN gathering important men around him, Henry increased the prestige of his court
It was very different to his father who almost undermined the nobles' power
Henry's character
Early years
He was a chivalrous warrior king, who was athletic
he had an attractive appearance and a flamboyant manner
Imperial Kingship
He wanted a strong empire and to increase international prestige
He wished to conquer large areas of France, achieve success similar to that of Henry V
Weak
He had periods of chronic instability and indecision often at crucial moments
An important part of this was the need to perform valiant deeds, this could be in jousting or in warfare
Henry's education reflected the belief that a monarch should follow this
This not only influenced life at court, but `henry's attitude to foreign policy too
From his father he inherited a group of advisors
Sir Thomas Lovell reappointed Chancellor of the Exchequer
Bishop Fox Lord Privy Seal and a trusted adviser unti; the rise of Wolsey
Archbishop Warham Lord Chancellor
Thomas Howard Earl Marshall and had a prominent role in Henry's coronation