The Rise of Wolsey

Wolsey's Rise to Power

Henry VIII was not interested in the details of government. This means his ministers could be very powerful. Henry VIII's first chief minister was Thomas Wolsey.

Wolsey's background

Wolsey was the son of an Ipswich butcher but was educated at Oxford University and then afterwards, studied to be a priest.

Wolsey and politics

In 1509 he became the Royal Almoner, giving charity to the poor on Henry’s behalf. This made him a member of the Royal Council.
In 1512 he organised Henry’s army for the war with France. Henry was impressed and promoted him to Lord Chancellor in 1515, making Wolsey Henry’s Chief Minister.

Wolsey and the Church

By 1515 he was also the Archbishop of York and a Cardinal and became Papal Legate in 1518.
He was very educated, charming, gifted and good at diplomacy.

Wolsey's lifestyle

He lived like a king (Alter Rex) with magnificent palaces.
- E.g. Hampton Court.
He had an income of £3,000 a year, with 500 servants.
- This was equal in size to Henry’s Royal household.

1Henry VIII & Wolsey, 1509-1529

1.1Henry VIII & Wolsey, 1509-1529

1.1.1Henry VIII, Renaissance Prince

1.1.2The Rise of Wolsey

1.1.3Wolsey's Domestic Reforms

1.1.4Wolsey's Foreign Policy

1.1.5Evaluating Wolsey's Foreign Policy

1.1.6The Succession & Annulment

1.1.7Fall of Wolsey

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Wolsey

1.1.9End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Wolsey 2

2Henry VIII & Cromwell, 1529-1540

2.1Henry VIII & Cromwell, 1529-1540

2.1.1The Rise of Cromwell

2.1.2The King's Annulment

2.1.3Cromwell & the King's Marriages

2.1.4Cromwell & Government

2.1.5Cromwell & Parliament

2.1.6Fall of Cromwell

2.1.7End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Cromewell

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VIII & Cromwell 2

3The Reformation & its Impact, 1529-1540

3.1The Reformation & its Impact, 1529-1540

3.1.1The Break with Rome

3.1.2Opposition to the Reformation

3.1.3Impact of the Reformation

3.1.4Role of Religious Houses

3.1.5Dissolution of the Monasteries

3.1.6Impact of Dissolution

3.1.7The Pilgrimage of Grace

3.1.8Evaluating the Pilgrimage of Grace

3.1.9End of Topic Test - The Reformation

3.1.10End of Topic Test - The Reformation 2

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