Henry VIII

By Wizz.i
  • 1470

    Wolsey born

    Wolsey was born the son of a butcher in Ipswich
  • 1491

    Birth of the future HVIII

    Second son of HVII and Elizabeth of York
  • 1502

    Death of Arthur

    made HVIII heir
  • 1503

    Wolsey secretary to Richard Fox (Lord Privy Seal)

    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
  • 1508

    Wolsey's foreign diplomacy for HVII

    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
  • 1509

    Marriage to Catherine of Aragon

    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
  • Apr 21, 1509

    Henry VIII becomes King

    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
  • 1510

    Council Learned in Law Abolished

  • 1510

    The Renewal of the Treaty of Etaples

    Councillors sought to renew the Treaty but it was evident that HVIII was thinking otherwise. HVIII wanted to be like HV and claim France
  • 1510

    Martin Luther's visit to Rome

    highlighted the corruption of Rome
  • Period: 1510 to 1510

    Parliament called

    Council Learned in the Law abolished
  • Aug 17, 1510

    Empson and Dudley executed

    Executed for their involvement in the CLIL
  • 1511

    The Formation of the Holy League

    Henry persuaded Pope Julius II to enter an alliance with England, Spain, HRE, Venice and the Papacy against France
  • 1512

    The first invasion of France

    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.
  • 1512

    St Paul's School in London

    John Colet (humanist) relies on city guilds rather than clergymen.
  • Period: 1512 to 1514

    Parliament called

    Provided extraordinary revenue for invasions of France and Scotland; Anticlerical Act restricting benefit of the clergy
  • 1513

    Wolsey gains the trust of HVIII

    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.
  • 1513

    War against Scotland - Battle of Flodden

    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
  • 1513

    Wolsey becomes Bishop of Tournai

  • 1513

    Second Invasion of France

    HVIII led a force to northeastern France. Won the battle of the spurs and captured towns of Therouanne and Tournai
  • 1513

    James V king of Scotland

    Duke Albany = regent King
  • 1514

    Francis I new king of France

  • 1514

    Wolsey becomes the Bishop of Lincoln and Archbishop of York

  • 1514

    Wolsey's power increased drastically

    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.
  • 1514

    Richard Hunne Case

    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)
  • Oct 9, 1514

    Princess Mary marries Louis XII

    organised by Wolsey.
  • 1515

    Wolsey becomes Cardinal

    Wolsey had put pressure on the Pope to appoint him to Cardinal
  • 1515

    Wolsey prepares to become Lord Chancellor

  • Jan 1, 1515

    Louis XII dies

    Mary remarries Duke of Suffolk
  • Period: 1515 to 1529

    Wolsey

    was chief minister to HVIII
  • Period: 1515 to 1515

    Parliament called

    Act restricting benefit of the clergy not renewed despite the apparently anticlerical atmosphere of the House of Commons
  • 1516

    Treaty of Noyon

    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
  • 1516

    Charles V becomes Emperor of HRE

  • 1516

    Birth of Mary (heir presumptive)

  • 1516

    Extended use of the Star Chamber

    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'.
  • 1517

    Treaty of Cambrai

    agreement ending one phase of the wars between France and the habsburg Charles V (HRE)
  • 1517

    The 'Evil May Day Riots'

    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
  • 1518

    Wolsey becomes Papal respresentative

    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
  • 1518

    Treaty of London

    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
  • 1519

    Wolsey replaces members of the Privy Council

    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
  • 1519

    Court of Requests

  • 1519

    Charles V of spain + HRE elected Holy Roman Empire

    HVIII tried to arrange a marriage between Charles V and Mary I, Mary I got rejected by Charles V
  • Jul 7, 1520

    The field of Cloth of Gold

    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.
  • 1521

    HVIII named Defender of the Faith

    HVIII writes in defence of Catholicism and is rewarded with the title Fidei Defensor by the Pope
  • 1521

    Treaty of Bruges

    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)
  • 1522

    War with France

    Henry agreed to send 11 000 troops to attack Paris in 1522 with Charles V and Duke of Bourbon
  • 1523

    War with France

    sent 11 000 troops to France
  • Period: 1523 to 1523

    Parliament called

    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.
  • 1524

    Wolsey gains legatine powers for life

  • 1525

    The Amicable Grant

    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
  • 1525

    Treaty of More

    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.
  • 1525

    End of the War with France

    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.
  • 1525

    Battle of Pavia

    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.
  • 1526

    The Eltham Ordinances

    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)
  • 1526

    League of Cognac

    Wolsey organised but didn’t join an alliance against Charles’ expansion into Italy, alongside France, the Pope, Venice and Florence.
  • 1527

    Henry becomes besotted with Anne Boleyn

  • 1527

    The Sacking of Rome

    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.
  • 1527

    Treaty of Westminster

    England and France threatened to fight Charles if he didn’t improve relations with neighbouring countries.
  • Period: 1527 to 1536

    The King's Great Matter

    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'.
  • 1528

    War against Charles V

    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.
  • 1529

    Fails to get annulment from CofA

    Henry fails to get his marriage annulled
  • 1529

    Legal Efforts of the Great Matter

    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.
  • 1529

    Wolsey accused of Praemunire

    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.
  • 1529

    Treaty of Cambrai

    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.
  • 1529

    Simon Fish

    anticlericalism was stirred up Crown
    wrote the 'supplication for the beggars'
    - vicious attack on the church
  • Period: 1529 to 1536

    Parliament called

    'Reformation' Parliament
  • Nov 29, 1530

    Wolsey dies

    Wolsey's ill-health led to his death on the journey to London to answer further charges
  • 1532

    Pregnancy of Anne Boleyn

  • 1532

    Cranmer becomes Archbishop of Canterbury

    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
  • 1532

    Defense alliance between England and France

  • 1532

    First Act of Annates

  • Period: 1532 to 1540

    Cromwell

    was Chief Minister to HVIII
  • 1533

    The Act in Restraint of Appeals

    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'
  • 1533

    Birth of Elizabeth I

  • 1534

    Act of First Fruits and Tenths

    Taxation on clergy. All had to pay a years salary when first joined then 10% of their income thereafter - increased royal revenue
  • 1534

    The Act of Supremacy

    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'.
  • 1534

    Treason Act

    denial of royal supremacy was a crime punishable by death in speech as well as writing
  • 1534

    Act of Succession

    declared Henry's marriage to Catherine illegal, making Princess Mary illegitimate. Denial of Henry's new marriage was declared treason
  • 1534

    Cromwell named Vicegerent in Spirituals

    act as deputy in his oversight of the Church's organisation and running
    Vicegerent in Spirituals, with powers to change the Church.
  • 1535

    Start of the visitations to the monasteries

    Start of the visitations to the monasteries to look for corruption.
  • 1535

    Valor Ecclesiasticus

    Cromwell commissions the Valor Ecclesiasticus to assess the wealth of the monasteries
  • 1536

    Catherine of Aragon dies

  • 1536

    Wales Act

    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
  • 1536

    The Pilgrimage of Grace

    the collective name for a series of rebellions in northern England, first in Lincolnshire and then in Yorkshire and elsewhere between October and December
  • 1536

    Ten Articles of Faith

  • 1536

    The 'Act Extinguishing the Authority of the Bishop of Rome

    made it illegal to call/acknowledge the Pope as the 'Pope' - must call him the Bishop of Rome
  • 1536

    Succession Act

    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
  • 1536

    Act of Parliament passed to dissolve the smaller monasteries.

    Act of Parliament passed to dissolve the smaller monasteries.
  • Period: 1536 to 1536

    Parliament called

    Called to enact new Succession Act following the fall of Anne Boleyn
  • May 19, 1536

    Anne Boleyn executed

    Accused of adultery and incest
  • May 30, 1536

    Jane Seymour marries HVIII

  • 1537

    English Bible

  • 1537

    The 2nd Pilgrimage of Grace

    a new uprising
    178 put on trial and executed
    Aske charged and hanged in York using a noose of chains
  • 1537

    Bishop's book published

  • Sep 12, 1537

    Prince Edward born

  • Oct 24, 1537

    Jane Seymour dies

  • 1538

    Royal Injunction

    every parish church must have one copy of the English bible in it
  • 1538

    Treaty of Nice

    Francis I and Charles V agree a truce and to sever connections with England
  • 1538

    Pope published a bull deposing HVIII

    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
  • 1539

    Six Articles

  • 1539

    Act to dissolve the remaining monasteries passed

    Act to dissolve the remaining monasteries passed
  • Period: 1539 to 1540

    Parliament called

    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
  • 1540

    Court of Augmentations

    Court of Augmentations set up to sell off the land of the monasteries
  • 1540

    All remaining religious houses had been dissolved

    By March, all remaining religious houses had been dissolved
  • Jul 28, 1540

    Cromwell executed

    Accused of treason and heresy at a Council meeting
    Lost credibility after the failed marriage of Anne of Cleves and HVIII
  • Jul 28, 1540

    HVIII and Catherine Howard marry

  • 1542

    Catherine Howard executed

    already had premaritual sex with other men
  • 1542

    Scottish Invasion

    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
  • Period: 1542 to 1544

    Parliament called

    provided extraordinary revenue for invasions of Scotland and France; dealt once more with the issue of succession
  • 1543

    HVIII married Katherine Parr

  • 1543

    Act for the Advancement of the True Religion

    restricted the reading of the bible to only upper-class men and upper-class women (in private)
  • 1543

    Treaty of Greenwich

    Arranged marriage between Edward VI and Mary QS
  • 1544

    Thomas Wriothesley becomes Lord Chancellor

    Conserative
  • 1544

    Succession Act

    Reinstates Mary and Elizabeth in the succession and reaffirms that Henry could determine the succession by will
  • 1544

    Invasions of Scotland and France

    Siege of Boulogne
    France were giving aid to scotland, outraging HVIII
    HVIII initially captured the city but France later retook it
  • Period: 1544 to 1546

    Debasing the Coinage

    short-term economic boom
  • 1545

    The Battle Ancrum More

    'rough wooing' scotland won ending english incursions into the scottish border
  • 1545

    French counter-invasion of the Isle of Wight

    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.
  • Period: 1545 to 1547

    Parliament called

    provided extraordinary revenue
  • 1546

    Peace with France

    Henry agreed to sell back all his French territory within eight years' time.
  • 1546

    Henry's will

    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
  • Jan 28, 1547

    HVIII dies