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Henry VIII + Wolsey Domestic Policy - Coggle Diagram
Henry VIII + Wolsey Domestic Policy
Finance
Amicable grant
Tax was widely opposed due to refusal of pay from people and rebellion sparked in Suffolk + East Anglia
Non parliamentary tax in 1523 to try to fund 2nd war in France
Henry remoitted Amicable Grant and rebels were pardoned
The resistance against the tax was a quasi rebellion
Wolsey took the blame of Amicable grant as his role in serving King
Tudor Subsidy
He established a national commitee which he controlled as local commissioners
The success of Tudor subsidy is indicated by lasting until 1645
Wolsey deligated his responsibility for the subsidy
Wolsey's reforms were not a complete failure as he created succeseful way of raising more money for king
Raised the crown £170,000 betweeen 1513 and 1516
Acts of Resumption
in 1515 Wolsey inacted acts of resumption to recover lands previously granted by crown
This was a successful approach to increasing ordinary revenue
Increased royal income without raising taxes to maximise revenue from Crown estates
Income had decreased to 25,0000 per annum
Council
Eltham Ordinances
Root of centre of privy council which command introduced in 1530
Guise of pushing forward proposal for reduction of royal household expenditure
Contemporaries viewed Wolsey as 'Alter Rex' for his control in his policies
This resulted in the reduction of the gentleman of the privacy chamber from 12 to 6
Reflection on Wolsey's fear of amicable grant, making him unpopular, danger in losing political influence over Henry VIII
Law/ Justice
Court of Chancery
Dealt with civil cases using 'naturual justice
A royal court dealing with civil cases of property, wills and conrtracts
This allowed the court to more accessible and encouraged more commoners to bring cases against nobles
Court of Poor man's request
From 1516 onward Wolsey wanted it to dispense impartial justice as corruption was to be rooted out
He promoted justice for the poor by encouraged them to bring cases against nobility
As Wolsey was from poorer background he wanted to challenge power of nobility
For example Sir Robrt Sheffield a royal councillors was sent to tower as an accesory to crime
Court of Star Chamber
Wolsey increased the court work x10 compared to Henry VII's reign
However the popularity in cases in courts caused overflow tribunals (ineffciency)
Cases about disputes titles to land
Common (expert) lawyers in charge of jurisdiction
Wolsey was able to increase his legal fees as he took more cases from lawyers
Common law was shifting towards Lord Chancellor (Wolsey) + lawyers were justified in anger against him
Wolsey usually gave out summary justice- verdict came quickly
Powerful weapon by Wolsey in legal armoury of the crown for Henry's purpose
Justice was given to all not only power- Derby prosecuted 1521 for riot and interference with court of justice
Church
Abuses of the church
Pluralism (multiple jobs) Archbishop of York and St Alabsn Abbey
Wolsey was a nepotist- illegetimate son with a mistress
Undermined his credibility and authority
Others were guilty of abuses e.g Cardinal Campeggio + Warham (hardly astenious)
This was evidence to suggest he wanted to convert some abbeys into cathedrals and create new diocesies
He took influence and praised by Erasmus, in touch with humanist ideas
Wolsey as Papal legate had precedence over Arcbishop of Cantebury
Dissolved 30 religious houses and used proceeds to build colleges at Oxford + Ipswitch
This demonstrated a commitment to improving clerical standards by prioritising the education of the clergymen.
He founded Cardinal College now known as Christ Church
Social + Economic Policies
In 1523 Wolsey was forced to accept all existing enclosures
However enclosures contnued to take place nad rural povery continued to rise
The previous anti-enclosure statues were enforced slowing the pace of enclosures
Grain supply + plague measures suggests pro active contrary to traditional view
'Sheep devour men'