character and aims of Henry VIII
HVIII
came to throne two months before 18th birthday
well acquainted with new learning of humanism
well read
version of kingship differed markedly from his father - had a profound dislike for the business of government and found the writing and reading of state papers tedious and painful. yet he could intervene in the business of government - although this approach had implications for the quality of decision making in his administration
lacked the work ethic which was attributed to his father - evident in his other activities - much emphasis placed on pageants, revelry, sports, hunting and tournaments
rarely engaged directly with the business of government - changes from HVII include a renewed emphasis on governing through council, for two periods of his reign Henry relied on a chief minister (Wolsey and Cromwell)
legacy of HVII
MONEY - believed HVII left around £300,000
UNPOPULAR MECHANISMS FOR EXTRACTING MONEY
PEACEFUL FOREIGN POLICY
CONCILLIAR GOVERNMENT - decisions made through a council
each of these four things would disappear in the early stages of HVIIIs reign - money vanished due to aggressive foreign policy towards France, conciliar gov disappeared with the emergence of Wolsey.
the start of HVIIIs reign was marked by changes during which members of the council were able to dispose of others and establish themselves in power - the key person being Richard Fox who secured the arrest of Empson and Dudley.
the council learned was abolished by an Act of Parliament in January 1510 - the cancellation of bonds and recognisances followed
HVIII distanced himself from his fathers regime - establishing his own popularity among the nobility and propertied classes who considered themselves victims of his father
aims
key aims
- establish his status amongst European monarchs through marriage
- re-establish the role of the nobility
- establish himself as a warrior king through success in battle
marriage to Catherine of Aragon
came from Treaty of Medina del Campo after his brothers death
wanted to conclude the marriage as quickly as possible - suited his councillors who took the view that the marriage would deflect him from political matters and enable them to conduct councillor business as usual
married 11th June 1509
success initially on personal level, Catherine also exercised some influence over policy making but by mid 1520s Henry became annoyed that she could not produce him a male heir
re-establish nobility
nobility had been largely frozen out by HVII
HVIII shared the tastes of dominant military culture of the aristocracy
it was largely the sons of the nobility who partnered Henry in sports and revels which took up so much of his time and energy at the start of his reign - they accompanied him to war in Northern France
the nobles did not achieve political domination as Henry chose to promote Wolsey who organised the war in France on his behalf
Foreign policy
pursuit of military glory led directly to a war with France (an occurrent theme throughout his reign) - vast amounts of money spent to achieve relatively small gains
later aims
inconsistent approach to aims but main recurrent theme was the pursuit of military glory
almost always gave priority to the pursuit of pleasure
mark on history - broadening of use of statute law to achieve political ends, the resulting of growing importance of parliament, plundering of church's wealth
exhibited ruthlessness and cynicism - resorted to execution often for the flimsiest of charges - bad qualities overshadowed good
impulsiveness in marriages and decisions - regretted execution of cromwell, naivety in foreign policy