Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/1-3-1-principal-servants-to-the-crown

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# Principal Servants to the Crown

History: Edexcel A Level England, 1509-1603, topic 1.3.1

## Thomas Wolsey

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 rise to chief minister

![Wolsey's rise to chief minister](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/f4eaa0f0-5b90-42a0-86ed-6b3bc2854f6c/thomas-wolsey-cardinal-.jpg)

- Wolsey was very influential between 1510 and 1529.
- Wolsey was intelligent, worked tirelessly and served Henry well.
- Wolsey overcame rivals at court. The Gentlemen of the Bedchamber, for example, were purged in 1519 and reduced under the Eltham Ordinances.
- Wolsey quickly rose through the Church's ranks. 
 - By 1518 he was a Papal Legate (meaning he could act on the Pope's behalf).

### Wolsey and the Church

![Wolsey and the Church](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/eede3781-a9f1-4a79-a068-16ceba3c4684/shutterstock_750648253.jpg)

- When Wolsey was Chief Minister, the Reformation was happening in Europe.
- Wolsey tried to reform the Church. He promoted education and wanted the quality of the clergy to improve.
- As a Catholic and Papal Legate, Wolsey was opposed to the ideas of Protestantism.
- But Henry VIII was at odds with the Church because he wanted a divorce from Catherine of Aragon (The Great Matter).

### The Great Matter

![The Great Matter](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/14913e76-358b-462d-a3ea-1b28d4c65a8a/henry-viii-8th-tudor-.jpg)

- During the late 1520s, Wolsey tried to protect the Church from the King as Henry VIII was frustrated by the Pope over his divorce from Catherine of Aragon.
- Henry was concerned his royal prerogative was being undermined. Wolsey assured him it was not.
- Henry wanted Wolsey, as both chief minister and Papal Legate, to influence the Pope. Wolsey failed and the Church came under attack.

### Wolsey's fall

![Wolsey's fall](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/f8a9a84c-2fff-465d-9c4b-63454b7f2158/shutterstock_611752889.jpg)

- Wolsey's first failing was the Amicable Grant in 1525. Wolsey introduced the grant to fund Henry VIII's war with France. It resulted in rebellion and Henry VIII was forced to pull out of the war.
- Failing to resolve Henry’s ‘Great Matter’, Henry VIII questioned his loyalty (believing he was serving the Pope before him).

### Historical debate over Wolsey's fall

![Historical debate over Wolsey's fall](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/c3c794fc-4c09-46d8-8cf6-cf6ac0c5c78a/wolsey-cardinal-.jpg)

- Roger, Ellsmore and Hudson view court politics as a key reason behind Wolsey's fall: "The Boleyn faction orchestrated Wolsey’s demise because he would not or could not obtain a divorce".

## Thomas Cromwell

By 1532, Thomas Cromwell had emerged as Henry VIII's new chief minister as a replacement for Wolsey.

### Cromwell's religious sympathy

![Cromwell's religious sympathy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/0981e793-9ff8-4e24-b805-e917ec1a80a3/Cromwell%2CThomas(1EEssex)01.jpg)

- In the mid-1530s, Cromwell encouraged preachers to spread Protestant messages.
- Cromwell played a main role in the dissolution of monasteries in 1536.
- By the end of the 1530s, Cromwell was dissatisfied with the level of reform. He believed more Protestant reforms could be made. This desire contributed to his downfall.

### Cromwell and Henry VIII's divorce

![Cromwell and Henry VIII's divorce](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/cd2b5b68-10b4-417b-8d50-8015f9e87ae2/anulment-marriage-.jpg)

- In September 1530, Thomas Cromwell and Edward Foxe gave the king their book Collectanea Satis Copiosa (‘The Sufficiently Abundant Collection’). It provided legal grounds for Henry to have an annulment of his marriage. 
- He used parliament to attack the Church until, in 1534, the Royal Supremacy confirmed on Henry the power of king and pope.

### Cromwell's governance reforms

![Cromwell's governance reforms](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/c81297c7-4cb2-4af1-949f-b9dbd449becf/shutterstock_89100241.jpg)

- The Royal Council became the Privy Council. This was smaller and more professional. Cromwell became the Principal Secretary.
- Parliament lasted seven years under Cromwell, with a wider scope than ever before.

### Cromwell's administrative reforms

![Cromwell's administrative reforms](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/0204c8f0-771f-47f3-8262-87c92ec0bb71/reform-.jpg)

- Cromwell oversaw bureaucratic change as well religious change.
- Cromwell developed the Court of Augmentations, Court of First Fruits and the Court of Wards. This centralised and professionalised Crown finance.

### Cromwell's fall

![Cromwell's fall](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/0981e793-9ff8-4e24-b805-e917ec1a80a3/Cromwell%2CThomas(1EEssex)01.jpg)

- Cromwell was Henry VIII's last chief minister.
- Cromwell was part of dangerous court politics. For example, he had orchestrated Anne Boleyn's downfall. 
- The humiliating failure of Henry VIII's marriage to Anne of Cleves was pinned on Cromwell by the Duke of Norfolk and his niece, Catherine Howard.

### Accusation of treason

![Accusation of treason](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/3534071d-a536-4b60-b7af-5353906e3d53/hanging-death-penalty.jpg)

- Cromwell was accused of treason and heresy by the Duke of Norfolk. 
- An Act of Attainder was passed against him and
he was accused of failing to properly enforce the Act of the Six Articles.
- Cromwell was executed in July 1540, the day Henry married Catherine Howard.

## Lord Burghley

William Cecil, later Lord Burghley, was the Queen's longest-serving minister.

### Background

![Background](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/1a191470-4895-4e69-8e8f-f91eda9f0a36/William-Cecil-.jpg)

- Cecil came from a gentry background (not a peer).

### Rise to power

![Rise to power](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/5a5a7edd-b1ff-450d-baa3-a974363bc977/Duke-of-Somerset.jpg)

- Cecil began politics under the Duke of Somerset (Lord Protector under Edward VI).
- Falling Somerset’s decline, Cecil earned the favour of Warwick (later the Duke of Northumberland)
- Cecil became a secretary of state for Edward VI.
- In 1551, Cecil became the Chancellor of the Order of the Garter.
- Cecil resisted Northumberland’s machinations to change the line of succession.
- For this reason, he was granted immunity by Mary I.

### Relationship with Elizabeth I

![Relationship with Elizabeth I](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/f67ca612-d785-48a0-b41d-f10f2b705434/elizabeth-spanish-armada-.jpg)

- Cecil advised Elizabeth before she became queen as Surveyor of Estates and Princess Elizabeth’s steward.
- Upon her accession, Cecil became a close advisor for the Elizabeth I.
- Cecil benefited from Elizabeth I’s patronage and became a firm favourite.
- He had considerable influence over the Crown.
- A contemporary, Richard Verstegan, said that “The Queen will listen to none but unto him [Cecil]."
- Cecil was elevated to Lord Burghley in 1571.

### Cecil's skills

![Cecil's skills](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/9fb04ff1-af84-4b01-9a61-075637219298/government-expenditure-planning-budget-.jpg)

- Cecil gained favour because of his administration and financial skills.
- He held conservative views and emphasised stability. His outlook was closely aligned to Elizabeth’s.
- Over the years, Cecil began to heavily influence Elizabeth’s domestic and foreign policies.
- E.g. he promoted the repression of religious extremists (whether Catholic or Puritan).

### Positions in Elizabethan government and court

![Positions in Elizabethan government and court](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/6d560d2c-4463-40e2-bfae-91902138b34a/london-government-parliament-.jpg)

- Originally, Cecil was Secretary of State.
- In 1561, Cecil became Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries.
- In 1572, Cecil became the Lord High Treasurer.
- Elizabeth I on his appointment to the Privy Council (1558): “I  have this judgement of you, that you will not be corrupted with any gift, you will be faithful to the state, and without respect of my private will, you will give me the best advice”.

### The Succession Crisis

![The Succession Crisis](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/445ab4b0-a69b-4dd6-9d26-3bb7a0f8d99f/plotting-plot-.jpg)

- The scope of Cecil’s power is seen in his response to the Throckmorton Plot, 1583.
- In case of Elizabeth I’s death, with no named successor, Cecil wanted a Bond of Association to select her successor and govern in the interim.
- Historians such as Lake have emphasised the far-reaching implications of the Bond of Association.
- Cecil essentially planned a situation where there would be no monarch: a republic.
- Cecil wanted to give a select group of politicians the authority to choose the future monarch. This was unprecedented as usually, the ability to choose the line of succession was a royal prerogative.

## Test yourself on Principal Servants to the Crown

- What was the Great Matter?
- What was Wolsey's first failing?
- When did Thomas Cromwell emerge as Henry VII's new chief minister?
- Cecil's rise to power?
- When was Cecil granted the title, Lord Burghley?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/c32e8aa5-abeb-44ce-b7ad-e2162a2d0658/section/ee770aca-aabb-47cd-bef5-fe22f6ca0312/session)

- Previous topic: [1.2.3 Parliament After the Reformation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/1-2-3-parliament-after-the-reformation.md)
- Next topic: [2.1.1 The Henrician Reformation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-1-1-the-henrician-reformation.md)

## History: Edexcel A Level England, 1509-1603 contents

### 1 Monarch & Government
- 1.1 Tudor Monarchs
  - [1.1.1 Henry VII](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/1-1-1-henry-vii.md)
  - [1.1.2 Henry VIII](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/1-1-2-henry-viii.md)
  - [1.1.3 Edward VI](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/1-1-3-edward-vi.md)
  - [1.1.4 Mary I](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/1-1-4-mary-i.md)
  - [1.1.5 Elizabeth I](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/1-1-5-elizabeth-i.md)
  - [1.1.6 Succession Disputes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/1-1-6-succession-disputes.md)
- 1.2 Changing Role of Parliament
  - [1.2.1 Parliament & Henry VII](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/1-2-1-parliament-and-henry-vii.md)
  - [1.2.2 Parliament & Henry VIII](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/1-2-2-parliament-and-henry-viii.md)
  - [1.2.3 Parliament After the Reformation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/1-2-3-parliament-after-the-reformation.md)
- 1.3 Principal Servants to the Crown
  - [1.3.1 Principal Servants to the Crown](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/1-3-1-principal-servants-to-the-crown.md)

### 2 Religious Changes
- 2.1 Tudor Monarchs & Religious Change
  - [2.1.1 The Henrician Reformation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-1-1-the-henrician-reformation.md)
  - [2.1.2 Impact of Religious Change Under Henry VIII](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-1-2-impact-of-religious-change-under-henry-viii.md)
  - [2.1.3 Religious Change Under Edward VI](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-1-3-religious-change-under-edward-vi.md)
  - [2.1.4 Religious Change Under Mary I](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-1-4-religious-change-under-mary-i.md)
  - [2.1.5 Elizabethan Settlement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-1-5-elizabethan-settlement.md)
- 2.2 Catholicism & Survival
  - [2.2.1 Popular Attitudes to Catholicism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-2-1-popular-attitudes-to-catholicism.md)
  - [2.2.2 Catholicism Under Henry VIII](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-2-2-catholicism-under-henry-viii.md)
  - [2.2.3 Catholicism Under Elizabeth I](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-2-3-catholicism-under-elizabeth-i.md)
  - [2.2.4 Catholic Nobility](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-2-4-catholic-nobility.md)
- 2.3 Protestantism & Puritanism
  - [2.3.1 Protestant Influences](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-3-1-protestant-influences.md)
  - [2.3.2 Protestantism Under Edward VI](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-3-2-protestantism-under-edward-vi.md)
  - [2.3.3 Protestantism Under Elizabeth I](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/2-3-3-protestantism-under-elizabeth-i.md)

### 3 State Control & Popular Resistance
- 3.1 Tudor Control of the Country
  - [3.1.1 Councils](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/3-1-1-councils.md)
  - [3.1.2 Role of Nobility](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/3-1-2-role-of-nobility.md)
  - [3.1.3 Justices of the Peace](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/3-1-3-justices-of-the-peace.md)
  - [3.1.4 Lord Lieutenant](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/3-1-4-lord-lieutenant.md)
- 3.2 The State &  the Poor
  - [3.2.1 Reasons for Growth of Poverty](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/3-2-1-reasons-for-growth-of-poverty.md)
  - [3.2.2 Punishments for Paupers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/3-2-2-punishments-for-paupers.md)
  - [3.2.3 Role of Charities](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/3-2-3-role-of-charities.md)
- 3.3 Resistance to Tudor Rule
  - [3.3.1 Resistance to Tax & Subsidies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/3-3-1-resistance-to-tax-and-subsidies.md)
  - [3.3.2 Uprisings Against Henry VIII](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/3-3-2-uprisings-against-henry-viii.md)
  - [3.3.3 Uprisings Against Edward VI](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/3-3-3-uprisings-against-edward-vi.md)
  - [3.3.4 Uprisings Against Elizabeth I](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/3-3-4-uprisings-against-elizabeth-i.md)
  - [3.3.5 Decline of Popular Resistance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/3-3-5-decline-of-popular-resistance.md)

### 4 Economic, Social & Cultural Change
- 4.1 Patterns of Domestic & Foreign Trade
  - [4.1.1 Wool & Cloth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/4-1-1-wool-and-cloth.md)
  - [4.1.2 Exploration & Trade](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/4-1-2-exploration-and-trade.md)
- 4.2 Changing Structure of Society
  - [4.2.1 Population](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/4-2-1-population.md)
  - [4.2.2 Dissolution of Monasteries](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/4-2-2-dissolution-of-monasteries.md)
  - [4.2.3 Enclosure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/4-2-3-enclosure.md)
- 4.3 Cultural Change
  - [4.3.1 Education & Literature](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/4-3-1-education-and-literature.md)
  - [4.3.2 Impact of Religious Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/4-3-2-impact-of-religious-change.md)
  - [4.3.3 Patronage](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/4-3-3-patronage.md)
  - [4.3.4 The Arts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/4-3-4-the-arts.md)
  - [4.3.5 Cult of Gloriana](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/4-3-5-cult-of-gloriana.md)

### 5 Historical Interpretations
- 5.1 Significance of Threats to National Security
  - [5.1.1 Spain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/5-1-1-spain.md)
  - [5.1.2 The Spanish Armada](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/5-1-2-the-spanish-armada.md)
  - [5.1.3 Ireland](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/5-1-3-ireland.md)
- 5.2 Court Politics
  - [5.2.1 Court Factions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/5-2-1-court-factions.md)
  - [5.2.2 Essex's Rebellion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/5-2-2-essexs-rebellion.md)
- 5.3 Elizabeth & Parliament
  - [5.3.1 Conflict with Parliament](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/5-3-1-conflict-with-parliament.md)
- 5.4 Social Distress in the 1590s
  - [5.4.1 Social Distress in the 1590s](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/edexcel/5-4-1-social-distress-in-the-1590s.md)