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Henry VIII, Government, Relationships with foreign powers, Society,…
Henry VIII
Aims
One of Henry's main aims was to establish a strong monarchy in order to assert his power and authority over the nobility and the Church.
Henry wanted to expand England's influence abroad, this was done by engaging in wars and seeking territorial gains.
Henry also strived to have a male heir, which led for him to marry Catherine of Aragon leading to his subsequent break with the Roman Catholic church
Henry VII legacy
Henry VII built up a strong diplomatic alliance with other European countries through things such as peace treaties and marriage agreements. Henry VII also left a substantial amount of wealth to Henry VIII this financial stability allowed Henry pursue funding his military campaigns for example
Government
Ministers
Wolsey
Wolsey served as Henry VIII's chief minister he was responsible for managing the king's affairs and helped in the creation of the foreign policy
Cromwell
He was a lawyer and statesman, who rose to power after Wolsey's fall and became Henry's chief minister, Cromwell was known for his bureaucratic reforms and helped play a crucial role in the English Reformation
More
He was a lawyer, philosopher and writer who served as Lord Chancellor of England, he closely advised Henry VIII, however he opposed Henry's break from the Catholic church and was executed for his refusal to acknowledge the king as the Supreme Head of the Church of England
Crown and Parliment
At the start of Henry's reign he worked closely with Parliament in order to sought its support for his policies, however as Henry became more powerful into his place as king he became more of a authoritarian and relied less on parliament for decision-making
Henry had dissolved parliament multiple times however he had often called it back in order for approval or financial support such as the divorce with Catherine of Aragon and the establishment of the Church of England
Royal supremacy
This was a doctrine, and declared that the king was the supreme authority in the Church of England. This meant that the king had the power to govern the church, make decisions regarding religious doctrine, and appoint bishops and clergy.
The Royal Supremacy was a significant shift from the authority of the pope in Rome, as it asserted the king's control over religious matters within England
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Society
Elites and commoners
Elites
The Nobles held significant power and influence in Henry's court, they owned vast estates held titles and had close ties to the monarchy, these noble families played a crucial role in shaping political decisions and vying for a favour with the king
The clergy had considerable influence over religious matters and even political affairs. However Henry's break with the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England brought more influence and power of the clergy
Commoners
Life for the likes of Farmers,labourers, merchants and artisans, faced challenges such as poverty, disease and limited opportunities
Religion played a significant role in their lives with Henry's break from the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England brought about religious changes that affected everyone
Regional issues
Wales was a region that Henry sought to integrate more fully into the kingdom, he implemented policies to consolidate English control over Wales, including the act of Union in 1536, which had incorporated Wales into the legal and administrative framework
Scotland was the ongoing conflict between England and Scotland, there were major tensions and military clashes along the border between the two countries
Rebellions
The Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536 which had originated in the Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Cumberland, The rebellion was a response to Henry's religious reforms, specifically the dissolution of the monasteries, the rebellion gained widespread support and gained those such as commoners,clergy and some Nobles
Economic development
Trade
Internationally England sought to expand its trade networks and establish partnerships, Henry encouraged exploration and sough new trade routes to Asia
Henry implemented policies in order to protect and support English merchants, he granted charters to trading companies such as the Merchant Adventures, which helped facilitated their overseas trade and provide them with privileges and protections
Prosperity
The Wool trade which England were known for its high quality wool, and it was in high demand across Europe, this trade brought wealth and helped fuel econmoic growth.
He implemented protective tariffs to support local production and reduce reliance on imports, this stimulated the growth of industries such as cloth manufacturing
Depression
The debasement of the currency led to inflation and a decrease in the purchasing power of the currency, this affected the economy and caused hardships for some people
The dissolution of the monasteries also had negative consequences, the redistribution of land and wealth disrupted established economic systems and affected the livelihoods of those who depended on monastic institutions
Religion
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Renaissance ideas
One key area where Renaissance ideas influenced Henry VIII was in the realm of art and architecture. He was an avid patron of the arts and commissioned numerous works that reflected Renaissance aesthetics. For example, he employed Italian artists like Hans Holbein the Younger, who brought a Renaissance influence to English portraiture.
In terms of architecture, Henry VIII's reign saw the construction of grand palaces and manor houses, showcasing Renaissance elements such as symmetry, classical motifs, and ornate detailing. Hampton Court Palace is a prime example of this architectural style during his time.
Reforms of the Church
Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. This was primarily driven by his desire to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, as he sought a male heir. When the Pope denied his request for an annulment, Henry VIII took matters into his own hands and declared himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England.
This break from Rome had far-reaching consequences. Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries and confiscated their lands and wealth, which he used to consolidate his power and fund his government. The dissolution of the monasteries also had an impact on religious life in England, as it disrupted the existing religious institutions and practices.