Cromwell & Government

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Cromwell's Reforms of the Government

Cromwell's reforms made the English government more professional and organised.

Problems with the Royal Council

One person (e.g. Wolsey) might have too much control over the Council
There were no guidelines on how the Council should be organised.
Meetings and discussions were not recorded.
The decisions the Council made were not recorded.
The Council had nearly 100 members, but most did not attend meetings.

The Privy Council

Cromwell set up the Privy Council, a new and simpler version.
It was staffed by 20 experienced professionals such as lawyers, not nobles or clergymen who had been chosen based on their titles and who could dominate the Council.
All meetings and decisions were recorded.

The Council of the North

The North of England was traditionally fairly independent and autonomous, but Cromwell wanted everywhere to be under one system of government.
He strengthened the Council of the North under the 1536 Franchises and Liberties Act by making it permanent and giving it responsibility for law and order.

The Act of Union

The 1536 Act of Union made Wales part of England. English laws replaced Welsh laws, and Wales was divided into counties that each had a Justice of the Peace (JP).
Wales also gained representation in the English parliament for the first time.

Cromwell's Financial Reforms

Cromwell introduced reforms which tightened control of the Crown's expenditure.

The King's Chamber

The King’s Chamber was in charge of keeping track of Henry’s expenditure (spending) and income.
It was part of the Royal Household so that Henry could keep an eye on things.
However, there were problems with it...

Problems with The King's Chamber

Henry didn’t get involved as he found finance boring.
Accounts were not properly checked and there were no guidelines on how the King’s Chamber should be run.
The King’s Chamber couldn’t cope with the massive increase in income from the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

The Court of Augmentations, 1536

Cromwell created the court to deal with income and property seized by the state during the dissolution of the monasteries.

Court of First Fruits and Tenths, 1540

Cromwell created this Court to collect tax from the clergy (Church).
The Church had previously paid the Pope in Vatican City. Now Henry VIII could capture this income.

Bureaucracy

Cromwell took the first steps towards making England a modern bureaucracy.
- Each court received money from a specific source of income and could only pay out money for specific reasons.
- They were carefully checked to ensure there was no corruption and were staffed by qualified and experienced officials.
- This meant that Henry didn’t have to be as personally involved in tasks he found boring.

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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