Henry VIII

Wolsey born

1470

Wolsey was born the son of a butcher in Ipswich

Birth of the future HVIII

1491

Second son of HVII and Elizabeth of York

Death of Arthur

1502

made HVIII heir

Wolsey secretary to Richard Fox (Lord Privy Seal)

1503

Thomas acted as one of the secretaries to the Lord of the Privy Seal, Richard Fox. Given his work experience, he was well suited to performing administrative duties, including missions abroad

Wolsey's foreign diplomacy for HVII

1508

he went to Scotland to secure the alliance between King James IV and England; he had also been sent to the Low countries to discuss potential marriages for HVII

Marriage to Catherine of Aragon

1509

CofA had gained mass popularity through her grace and decorum of being held captive during HVII
Seen as chivalrous act from HVIII for marryin her

Henry VIII becomes King

Apr 21, 1509

Aged 17 and 10 months
- saw the change of monarch as the dawning of a new age
- HVII had left £300 000 for HVIII, a peaceful policy and a conciliar government

Council Learned in Law Abolished

1510

The Renewal of the Treaty of Etaples

1510

Councillors sought to renew the Treaty but it was evident that HVIII was thinking otherwise. HVIII wanted to be like HV and claim France

Martin Luther's visit to Rome

1510

highlighted the corruption of Rome

Parliament called

Period: 1510 to 1510

Council Learned in the Law abolished

Empson and Dudley executed

Aug 17, 1510

Executed for their involvement in the CLIL

The Formation of the Holy League

1511

Henry persuaded Pope Julius II to enter an alliance with England, Spain, HRE, Venice and the Papacy against France

The first invasion of France

1512

Henry sent an army of 10 000 men to Southwest France under Marquis Dorset. However, this achieved nothing and was used as a diversionary tactic by Ferdinand (Spain) while he conquered Navarre.

St Paul's School in London

1512

John Colet (humanist) relies on city guilds rather than clergymen.

Parliament called

Period: 1512 to 1514

Provided extraordinary revenue for invasions of France and Scotland; Anticlerical Act restricting benefit of the clergy

Wolsey gains the trust of HVIII

1513

Organised an expeditionary force to invade France under HVIII's leadership. Despite others more senior and experienced ranks, Wolsey defied all the pundits by achieving the seemingly impossible.
His logistics were greatly praised. He had made all 30,000 men and supplies were in place. Arguing that the King's wishes must take precedence over all other considerations.

War against Scotland - Battle of Flodden

1513

James IV crossed the border with a substantial force but was defeated by a smaller English army hurriedly put together (led by Earl of Surrey). James IV was killed, along with a lot of Scottish nobles.
Nearly led to a rebellion + revolt in Yorkshire again + lost French pension

Wolsey becomes Bishop of Tournai

1513

Second Invasion of France

1513

HVIII led a force to northeastern France. Won the battle of the spurs and captured towns of Therouanne and Tournai

James V king of Scotland

1513

Duke Albany = regent King

Francis I new king of France

1514

Wolsey becomes the Bishop of Lincoln and Archbishop of York

1514

Wolsey's power increased drastically

1514

By the middle of 1514, HVIII was referring to almost all matters of business to Wolsey in the certainty that they would be dealt with efficiently, and generally along the lines that he desired.

Richard Hunne Case

1514

Refused to pay mortuary fee to the local clergy and refused to pay the fine - taken to court but was prepared to bring civil lawsuit
found dead by 'hanging' in his cell (not likely)

Princess Mary marries Louis XII

Oct 9, 1514

organised by Wolsey.

Wolsey becomes Cardinal

1515

Wolsey had put pressure on the Pope to appoint him to Cardinal

Wolsey prepares to become Lord Chancellor

1515

Louis XII dies

Jan 1, 1515

Mary remarries Duke of Suffolk

Wolsey

Period: 1515 to 1529

was chief minister to HVIII

Parliament called

Period: 1515 to 1515

Act restricting benefit of the clergy not renewed despite the apparently anticlerical atmosphere of the House of Commons

Treaty of Noyon

1516

Peace between Spain and France. The new king of Spain, Charles V, negotiated with Francis I. France abandoned its claim to the Kingdom of Naples and received the duchy of Milan in recompense

Charles V becomes Emperor of HRE

1516

Birth of Mary (heir presumptive)

1516

Extended use of the Star Chamber

1516

Became the centre of both government and justice under Wolsey. Extended use of the Star Chamber from 1516 as a way to increase cheap and fair justice. Also encouraged use of Star Chamber for private lawsuits, forced to set up a series of 'overflow tribunals'.

Treaty of Cambrai

1517

agreement ending one phase of the wars between France and the habsburg Charles V (HRE)

The 'Evil May Day Riots'

1517

violent disturbances broke out in London against foreigners migrating to London. Angers about loss of jobs to the migrants fueled the riots and some believed that they were being cheated by the foreigners

Wolsey becomes Papal respresentative

1518

He gained the honour, in order to act on the Pope's behalf in negotiations for what was hoped to become a general truce between the major European states

Treaty of London

1518

a 'universal peace' between France, England and Spain. Each promised not to attack any of the others. Top 20 leaders in Europe signed up to it including the Pope. Brought prestige to HVIII and Wolsey and England was seen as an important country in European politics

Wolsey replaces members of the Privy Council

1519

the 'minions' of the Privy Chamber distrusted Wolsey. In 1519, he secured the removal of the minions and replaced them with his own supporters.
However, most of the minions recovered their positions, thus the Privy Chamber thus retained some of its prestige and influence and was the one part of the government that was outside Wolsey's immediate control

Court of Requests

1519

Charles V of spain + HRE elected Holy Roman Empire

1519

HVIII tried to arrange a marriage between Charles V and Mary I, Mary I got rejected by Charles V

The field of Cloth of Gold

Jul 7, 1520

A diplomatic meeting between HVIII and Francis I. It was a fortnight of feasting and jousting with no expense spared as both kings wanted to show off. However, no agreements were made and only made Charles V suspicious of England.

HVIII named Defender of the Faith

1521

HVIII writes in defence of Catholicism and is rewarded with the title Fidei Defensor by the Pope

Treaty of Bruges

1521

An alliance between HVIII and Charles V. It agreed a one-year delay in sending on English army to France, to save money and gain prestige. HVIII decided to ally with Charles V because of strong trade links and HVIII's marriage to CofA (Charles' aunt)

War with France

1522

Henry agreed to send 11 000 troops to attack Paris in 1522 with Charles V and Duke of Bourbon

War with France

1523

sent 11 000 troops to France

Parliament called

Period: 1523 to 1523

Provided extraordinary revenue for invasion of France. Speaker of the pse of Commons, Sir Thomas More, made the first known plea for freedom of speech for MPs. Despite parliament's ill temper, the level of anticlericalism seemed much reduced.

Wolsey gains legatine powers for life

1524

The Amicable Grant

1525

heavy taxation levied without parliament's approval but put forth as to be a 'freely given gift to the King'. Parliament saw Wolsey as 'arrogant and insensitive'. Wolsey used the 'Tudor Subsidy' as a way to raise extraordinary without going to parliament

Treaty of More

1525

After Pavia, Charles had shown he didn’t value or respect Henry as an equal ally, so Henry decided to ally with France instead.
Henry agreed to give up his claim to the throne of France in return for Francis giving him an annual payment.

End of the War with France

1525

However, Charles’ and the Duke’s troops never showed up and the English were forced to retreat.
Charles had used the English to distract the French, so he could defeat them at the Battle of Pavia.
The war had cost Henry over £400,000 but he had nothing to show for it after three years of fighting.

Battle of Pavia

1525

Charles V fought Francis I in Pavia, in northern Italy.
The French army was destroyed, and Francis was captured. Henry wanted to use this to take advantage of France and invade, but Charles released Francis and wouldn’t share any of his spoils from the battle with Henry.

The Eltham Ordinances

1526

Introduced by Wolsey in order to reform the finances of the Privy Council
Secured as reduction in the number of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber (also secured the removal of the groom of the stool and replaced with Henry Norris)

League of Cognac

1526

Wolsey organised but didn’t join an alliance against Charles’ expansion into Italy, alongside France, the Pope, Venice and Florence.

Henry becomes besotted with Anne Boleyn

1527

The Sacking of Rome

1527

Charles V took control of Rome
Charles’ troops had attacked Rome and basically imprisoned the Pope during their campaign in Italy.
The Pope was the only person who could grant Henry his annulment, and would not do so while he was under the control of Charles V.

Treaty of Westminster

1527

England and France threatened to fight Charles if he didn’t improve relations with neighbouring countries.

The King's Great Matter

Period: 1527 to 1536

It took seven years for him to rid himself of his first wife. So all-consuming was Henry's desire for a divorce that it became known as the King's 'Great Matter'.

War against Charles V

1528

France and England declared war on Charles in Italy, but no English troops were sent to fight.
Wolsey introduced a trade embargo with the Habsburg controlled Netherlands, but protests forced him to call it off.
This made England look like it wasn’t a serious European power.

Fails to get annulment from CofA

1529

Henry fails to get his marriage annulled

Legal Efforts of the Great Matter

1529

In June 1529, the court finally met to discuss the divorce. Catherine immediately refused to recognise it and appealed to the Pope to move the hearing to Rome.

Wolsey accused of Praemunire

1529

Henry used Wolsey's position as Papal Legate to accuse of using is powers in the disinterest of the King.
Wolsey was stripped of his powers, possessions, exiled to his diocese York.

Treaty of Cambrai

1529

Francis made peace with Charles, and Wolsey was only informed about this at the last minute.
England wasn’t seen as an equal by either country anymore.

Simon Fish

1529

anticlericalism was stirred up Crown
wrote the 'supplication for the beggars'
- vicious attack on the church

Parliament called

Period: 1529 to 1536

'Reformation' Parliament

Wolsey dies

Nov 29, 1530

Wolsey's ill-health led to his death on the journey to London to answer further charges

Pregnancy of Anne Boleyn

1532

Cranmer becomes Archbishop of Canterbury

1532

had never held a senior position in the church
HVIII had personally requested his appointment, despite his moderate reformist views and connections to the Boleyn family.
rapid rise due to loyalty and support to HVIII rather than traditional Church hierarchy

Defense alliance between England and France

1532

First Act of Annates

1532

Cromwell

Period: 1532 to 1540

was Chief Minister to HVIII

The Act in Restraint of Appeals

1533

Appealing to foreign powers, like the Pope, was forbidden. This effectively isolated CofA and made all attempts to fight Henry futile as he was 'Supreme Head' and 'King'

Birth of Elizabeth I

1533

Act of First Fruits and Tenths

1534

Taxation on clergy. All had to pay a years salary when first joined then 10% of their income thereafter - increased royal revenue

The Act of Supremacy

1534

HVIII was recognised as Head of the Church of England, This ultimately gave him all power and rather than bestowing the power upon him, it was phrased as a 'restoration'.

Treason Act

1534

denial of royal supremacy was a crime punishable by death in speech as well as writing

Act of Succession

1534

declared Henry's marriage to Catherine illegal, making Princess Mary illegitimate. Denial of Henry's new marriage was declared treason

Cromwell named Vicegerent in Spirituals

1534

act as deputy in his oversight of the Church's organisation and running
Vicegerent in Spirituals, with powers to change the Church.

Start of the visitations to the monasteries

1535

Start of the visitations to the monasteries to look for corruption.

Valor Ecclesiasticus

1535

Cromwell commissions the Valor Ecclesiasticus to assess the wealth of the monasteries

Catherine of Aragon dies

1536

Wales Act

1536

Divided wales into 3 shire countries
giving some shires representation in House of Commons
same legal framework as England
increased crown's influence over wales

The Pilgrimage of Grace

1536

the collective name for a series of rebellions in northern England, first in Lincolnshire and then in Yorkshire and elsewhere between October and December

Ten Articles of Faith

1536

The 'Act Extinguishing the Authority of the Bishop of Rome

1536

made it illegal to call/acknowledge the Pope as the 'Pope' - must call him the Bishop of Rome

Succession Act

1536

declared Elizabeth illegitimate and lays down that HVIII can determine the succession by will in the absence of Heir apparent
Chose to acknowledge the possibility of legitimising his son Duke of Richmond

Act of Parliament passed to dissolve the smaller monasteries.

1536

Act of Parliament passed to dissolve the smaller monasteries.

Parliament called

Period: 1536 to 1536

Called to enact new Succession Act following the fall of Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn executed

May 19, 1536

Accused of adultery and incest

Jane Seymour marries HVIII

May 30, 1536

English Bible

1537

The 2nd Pilgrimage of Grace

1537

a new uprising
178 put on trial and executed
Aske charged and hanged in York using a noose of chains

Bishop's book published

1537

Prince Edward born

Sep 12, 1537

Jane Seymour dies

Oct 24, 1537

Royal Injunction

1538

every parish church must have one copy of the English bible in it

Treaty of Nice

1538

Francis I and Charles V agree a truce and to sever connections with England

Pope published a bull deposing HVIII

1538

thereby absolving English Catholics from the need to obey their rules
the pope sent envoys to France and Scotland to try raise support for a Catholic crusade

Six Articles

1539

Act to dissolve the remaining monasteries passed

1539

Act to dissolve the remaining monasteries passed

Parliament called

Period: 1539 to 1540

called to provide extraordinary revenue with invasion threatened; produced divergent religious legislation, for example the dissolution of the greater monasteries and the Six Articles Act

Court of Augmentations

1540

Court of Augmentations set up to sell off the land of the monasteries

All remaining religious houses had been dissolved

1540

By March, all remaining religious houses had been dissolved

Cromwell executed

Jul 28, 1540

Accused of treason and heresy at a Council meeting
Lost credibility after the failed marriage of Anne of Cleves and HVIII

HVIII and Catherine Howard marry

Jul 28, 1540

Catherine Howard executed

1542

already had premaritual sex with other men

Scottish Invasion

1542

immediate military success
James V died leaving Mary Queen of Scots in charge at 1 month old
HVIII didn't take advantage of Scotland's weakness

Parliament called

Period: 1542 to 1544

provided extraordinary revenue for invasions of Scotland and France; dealt once more with the issue of succession

HVIII married Katherine Parr

1543

Act for the Advancement of the True Religion

1543

restricted the reading of the bible to only upper-class men and upper-class women (in private)

Treaty of Greenwich

1543

Arranged marriage between Edward VI and Mary QS

Thomas Wriothesley becomes Lord Chancellor

1544

Conserative

Succession Act

1544

Reinstates Mary and Elizabeth in the succession and reaffirms that Henry could determine the succession by will

Invasions of Scotland and France

1544

Siege of Boulogne
France were giving aid to scotland, outraging HVIII
HVIII initially captured the city but France later retook it

Debasing the Coinage

Period: 1544 to 1546

short-term economic boom

The Battle Ancrum More

1545

'rough wooing' scotland won ending english incursions into the scottish border

French counter-invasion of the Isle of Wight

1545

French fleet of more ships than the spanish armada, was sent to attack the Isle of Wight in retaliation of the English invasions
Only three days after the sinking of the Mary Rose, it was decided to abandon the invasion. The troops on the Isle of Wight were recalled and the French fleet finally departed on 28th July.

Parliament called

Period: 1545 to 1547

provided extraordinary revenue

Peace with France

1546

Henry agreed to sell back all his French territory within eight years' time.

Henry's will

1546

confirms the terms of the succession act of 1544 and laid down that in default of heirs to Edward, Mary and Elizabeth then his sister Mary

HVIII dies

Jan 28, 1547