Henry VIII - character and aims

character

aims

Henry VII's legacy

ruthless and impulsive

lacked work ethic - had no interest in being involved in the day to day running of the country

valued pleasure over work

unable to use talents effectively

well educated and intelligent

peaceful foreign policy

left Henry £300,000 - large sum of money at this time - monarchs usually left their countries in debt

Council Learned - unpopular method of collecting revenue

Henry VIII was to be married to Catherine of Aragon

conciliar form of government

this form of government largely not used - henry VIII prefered to rely on key figures eg. Wolsey and Cromwell as he wasn't interested in day to day running of country

abolished the Council Learned and had Empson and Dudley (leaders) executed

Henry VIII spent this money almost immediately on war with France

immediately went to war with Scotland and France

honours his promise and marries her as it gives a diplomatic advantage

to be remembered as a warrior king

to have a male heir to continue the Tudor dynasty

re-establish the role of the nobility