Government, 1536-53 (Pt. 1 - Henry and Cromwell)

Henry VIII reign - CromwellPrivy Council - Privy council consisted of around 100 members before Cromwell reformed it; many members wouldn't attend and it was generally dominated by Wolsey (chief-minister pre-Cromwell). The 20 or so members of Cromwell's PC were more headstrong and could hold their own in the council, with nobody dominating. Made the Council more efficient and streamlined.Finance - Cromwell made collection of money for the crown more efficient as he established bodies (Court of Augmentations, Court of General surveyors, First Fruit and Tenths)  which managed money, specifically from the monasteries which were being stripped during the reformation. These were run by men appointed by Cromwell and were very efficient alongside the Chamber, which also handled finance. Court of Augmentations - Handled income from the land of monasteries. The Court of General Surveyors was established in 1540 and handled monastic lands confiscated as a result of the treason of their abbots. First Fruit and Tenths - Clergy had to pay a portion of their first year's income (known as annates) and a tenth of their revenue annually thereafter.

Cromwell increased Henry's power in the regions, effecting Local Government.Cromwell increased the power by: an act of Parliament allowed the crown to resume control of Liberties and Franchises. Deprive Lords of any jurisdiction in criminal cases. In future, only the crown could appoint judges and justices. Act for laws and justice, to be Ministered in Wales in like Form as it is in this realm (1536) – passed by Parliament, extended the English legal system into Wales and gave the Welsh some right to send MPs to parliament. Rowland Lee – appointed as president of the Welsh council in 1534, hung 5,000 felons for lawlessness in his first six yrs (1534-1540) Scottish hostility, conservative communities and magnate power posed threats in the North. Was this a success?Success was limited - had to depend on unpaid cooperation of local gentry acting as Justices of the Peace and on the willingness of powerful noble landowners or influential clerics who filled up the roles of presidents of regional councils of North, West and Wales. Many gentry and nobility joined the Pilgrimage of Grace - the policy was precarious at best. 

How did Henry use the Pilgrimage of Grace to increase his power?Under Robert Aske, Pilgrimage was given the character of a religious crusade – the crown used this to attack the forces that had lent it support and credibility. Greater Monasteries were subjected to punishment due to the rebellion and pressured to dissolve and transfer their property to the crown. Cromwell reserved some money to boost royal finances.How did the power of the Gentry increase during Henry's reign?The gentry was the largest on the rise group of Henry's reign - royal patronage and increased opportunities to hold government office resulted in a considerable rise in importance for the gentry. Gentry rose at the expense of the Nobles/Aristocrats as they used their ability to take advantage of commercial opportunities due to breakdown of Medieval economy. (Ask sir how they did this)How did the power of the Nobility decrease during Henry's reign?

Why did Parliament become more powerful?Parliament made laws on a variety of things, most notably religion, which would have previously been made by the Pope in Rome – clearly it had become more powerful. Parliament was good for the King as through Parliament, Henry was able to take control of the English Church via Parliamentary statute. Finally, king in parliament was the most powerful/highest form of authority in the Kingdom.

How did the reformation make the king more powerful?The reformation increased the Kings power as it made Henry head of the Church and gave Parliament the control of religious policy, rather than the Pope in Rome. As Henry ultimately had control of parliament, King in Parliament was extremely powerful.

Q: What was debasement and what caused it? A: Debasement was done to fund the wars with France and Scotland that Henry pursued in his reign. Debasement is mixing common metal with the precious metal, but still keeping its face value, eventually it made the problem of inflation worse. Continued under Edward/Somerset, Northumberland ended it.

Key Ideas/Themes Privy Council - reformed from around 100 members who barely showed up and dominated by certain people, to around 20 members. Finance - increased finance by sales of monastic grounds. Heavy expenditure in the French and Scottish wars, left the country in significant debt. Debasement of the coinage, made inflation high and worsened the economy.

Local Government - Liberties and Franchises brought to an end. Cromwell tried to establish King's power across the land/areas it wasn't already/poorly established. Parliament - King in Parliament was highest/most powerful form of authority in the kingdom. Parliament now made laws on religion, previously done by Pope in Rome.

Historians views on CromwellElton - Revolution in government the structure and organisation of government, 'Administrative revolution' . Major part was the reorganisation of the financial departments and of the Privy council. Result being government by the king becoming government under the king. The role of parliament and the scope and authority of statute law. The essential ingredient of Tudor revolution was concept of national sovereignty and the creation of a sovereign law making parliament. In using Parliament to enforce the reformation the crown was emphasising that nothing lay outside of parliamentary statute. King and Parliament became King in parliament The relationship between church and state. The royal supremacy has initiated a 'jurisdictional revolution' in the relationship between church and state. Independence of church no longer a thing, balance and power of Church and State had tipped firmly in favour of the later. Church and state became church in state. Extension of royal authority into the regions. By bringing the outlying regions of the kingdom under control of the central government Cromwell was aiming to creater a nation that was a jurisdictional entity. Gave more authority and purpose to the council of the North and reformed government of Wales by empowering the Council of Wales and Marches. Although shortlived, he also set up a council of the West. Result was fragmented polity replaced by a unitary state

Other historians view on Cromwell in government is the evolution in government - they don't support Elton's view of a revolution, but do agree changes took place. (see pg. 37- of access to history book)

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