Cromwell & Parliament

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Cromwell and Parliament

Following the Henrician Reformation, Cromwell recognised the importance of Parliament.

Parliament's role before the Break from Rome

For most of Henry’s reign, Parliament was only used to approve tax, and so wasn’t very important.
Henry (and his ministers) made all the decisions and announced laws through royal proclamations.

Changing role of Parliament

In gaining the annulment through the Act in Restraint of Appeals, Cromwell realised that parliament could be used to create radical changes through statute law.
In the first 22 years of Henry’s reign, only 203 Acts were passed by parliament.
In the next 8 years up to 1540, 333 Acts were passed, and parliament met more frequently.

Gaining the support of Parliament

Cromwell realised people would be more willing to support Henry’s decisions if they were involved in making them.
Parliament could represent everyone: the nobility and the Church in the House of Lords, and the towns and countryside in the House of Commons.
They were loyal to Henry, and so usually supported any Acts put forward in the King’s name.

Cromwell's influence in Parliament

He personally controlled what was discussed in parliament, so he could make sure his ideas and proposals were put forward.
He was an experienced MP (first elected 1523) so could get involved in debates in the House of Commons himself and influence other MPs.
He was a skilled lawyer, so he knew how to write laws that were voted on in parliament.

Henry VIII's influence in Parliament

Henry could also visit parliament and intimidate MPs to support his decisions.
- For example when some MPs who supported Catherine of Aragon opposed the Act of Annates in 1532.

King-in-Parliament

This use of parliament had a huge impact. Parliament began to be seen as an important part of government that could pass laws on anything in conjunction with the King.
- This became known as the ‘King in Parliament’.

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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