TOPIC: The Structure of government and the Role of Thomas Wolsey
OBJECTIVE: 8. Describe how Wolsey rose to power under Henry VIII.
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT / NOTES:
What does the use of these terms say about Henry VIII’s government?
Discuss. Does the example of Sir Ralph Egerton of Ridley support your
observations? Explain / discuss.
2. Court - all persons who were in attendance on the King on any given
day (key personnel like Wolsey and Cromwell).
Privy Council - People appointed by the King to give advice on affairs of
state. It included key personnel like Wolsey.
Privy Chamber - Part of the household. It had its own staff, outside
jurisdiction of the Lord Chamberlain, who looked after the rest of
the household. The head of the Privy Chamber was the groom of the
stool. There were also Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, who
attended to the King’s most intimate requirements. 20 members.
Key personnel= William Crompton and Henry Norris.
TOPIC: The Structure of government and the Role of Thomas Wolsey
OBJECTIVE: 8. Describe how Wolsey rose to power under Henry VIII.
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT / NOTES:
What does the use of these terms say about Henry VIII’s government?
Discuss. Does the example of Sir Ralph Egerton of Ridley support your
observations? Explain / discuss.
dry stamp - an impression of the King’s signature was pressed onto a
document, and the indentation was outlined in ink while the other two
men looked on (“Forged” King’s signature).
Faction - A group of people with positive or negative interests to gain
titles or anything for themselves.
patronage - a post (title). There were 200 posts in the court and the
King decided who got the posts.
TOPIC: The Structure of government and the Role of Thomas Wolsey
OBJECTIVE: 8. Describe how Wolsey rose to power under Henry VIII.
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT / NOTES:
5. Study the timeline on page 29 (red). What do you recognise about
Thomas Wolsey’s service to Henry VIII? Explain.
6. Identify: Royal Almoner, Royal Council,
Legate a latere and Appoint to benefices p. 30 - 31 red
7. Was Wolsey’s rise to power under Henry VIII based on luck or ability?
Explain. p. 30 - 31 (red).
8. Read sources C, D and E on page 32. Also read about the authors of
each source on pages 39 and 40 (red). Answer questions 1 and 2 from
the SKILLS BUILDER on page 32.
DATE: October 21 - 26, 2014
TOPIC: The Structure of government and the Role of Thomas Wolsey
OBJECTIVE:
9. Explain how Wolsey was able to maintain his position (methods).
REVIEW:
7. Wolsey’s rise to power - luck or ability? p. 30 - 31 (red)
8. Sources C, D and E on page 32. Questions 1 and 2 from the SKILLS BUILDER.
WARM UP:
1. What do you think is more challenging: getting wealth or keeping
wealth? Discuss.
2. How do people or politicians maintain power (students - good grades)?
Discuss.
3. What three principles helped Wolsey maintain power from 1515 –
1529? p. 33
TOPIC: The Structure of government and the Role of Thomas Wolsey
OBJECTIVES: 9. Explain how Wolsey was able to maintain his position (methods).
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT:
1. Take notes from pages 33 - 35 about the political relationship
between Wolsey and Henry.
 Consider how their relationship was perceived (Wolsey as the
puppet master OR as a political partnership, each playing a role that
was ultimately determined by Henry VIII).
 Consider how their relationship worked.
 Why did things change by 1525? Define Amicable Grant .
2. Take notes from pages 35 - 36 about the role of Wolsey’s wealth and
its effect on his power.
 Consider other courtiers, D. Starkey, foreign perspectives, sources of
income.
TOPIC: The Structure of government and the Role of Thomas Wolsey
OBJECTIVES: 9. Explain how Wolsey was able to maintain his position (methods).
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT:
1. Notes: the political relationship between Wolsey and Henry.




Wolsey gained the trust of the King and recognised that his position was
secure as long as he was loyal and efficient. (French invasion 1513)
Traditional View : Wolsey was the Alter Rex - Wolsey was the master and
Henry VIII the puppet.
Henry VIII gave Wolsey SPACE and LATITUDE but always made the final
decisions on important matters (foreign policy and domestic affairs).
Revisionist View : Political Partnership - Source G - Henry VIII always
retained the right to have the last word.




Wolsey and other ministers ADVISED the King but the policy might waiver,
collapse or undergo revision at any moment in the interests of European
diplomacy or domestic expediency
The system under Henry VIII was volatile
Rarely did Henry VIII and Wolsey disagree - 1522 and 1528.
Amicable Grant - Wolsey’s attempt to impose a non-parliamentary tax in
1525 in order to raise funds for Henry VIII (after loans in 1522 and a subsidy
in 1523). It was a levy for 1/6 of goods of citizens and 1/3 of those in the
clergy.
TOPIC: The Structure of government and the Role of Thomas Wolsey
OBJECTIVES: 9. Explain how Wolsey was able to maintain his position (methods).
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT:
2. Notes about the role of Wolsey’s wealth and its effect on his power.
 Other courtiers – were in awe and envied Wolsey – to gain so much
success from a low birth
 D. Starkey – quasi (resembling) royal – Hampton Court and 500 in
his household
 Foreign perspectives – treated to banquets and celebrations; many
ambassadors witnessed the grandeur
 Sources of income – was probably 10X wealthier than his nearest
political rival.
•
Multiple Bishoprics (York, Tournai, Bath, Wells, Durham and
Winchester)
•
Fees from ecclesiastical courts and gifts
Hampton Court Palace
http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/hampton-court.htm
Cardinal Wolsey, Archbishop of York, took over the site of Hampton Court in 1514. Over the next seven years, Wolsey spent
lavishly to build the finest palace in England. At this time, Hampton Court was more magnificent than the King’s own palace,
York Palace, as the Palace of Westminster was then known. Wolsey lived in the palace only a few years. In 1528, Wolsey
knew the King was engineering his downfall. Wolsey passed the palace to the King as a gift. Wolsey died the following year.
TOPIC: The Structure of government and the Role of Thomas Wolsey
OBJECTIVES: 9. Explain how Wolsey was able to maintain his position (methods).
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT:
3. Take notes from pages 36 - 37 about how Wolsey used ruthlessness
to maintain power.
 Consider the examples provided - Vergil, Edward Stafford (DoB),
R. Pace, other councilors.
 Consider what most of the evidence suggests – much criticism
toward Wolsey can be attributed to frustrated and jealous nobles
• Wolsey DID consult other nobles on the important matters of
the day and did NOT deliberately ostracise (shun) opponents.
 Define: retaining – when a noble keeps a private army that has
loyalty to him first and foremost
TOPIC: The Structure of government and the Role of Thomas Wolsey
OBJECTIVES:
9. Explain how Wolsey was able to maintain his position (methods).
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT:
4. Study the claims on page 38 about who controlled affairs - Wolsey or
Henry VIII. What are the four claims?
 Wolsey was a very strong minister IMPOSING policy on a very weak
King.

Wolsey RELIED on the trust and goodwill of the King who always
retained ultimate control of affairs.

Their relationship was a POLITICAL PARTNERSHIP - Henry entrusted
authority to Wolsey, reveling in the glory and condemning the
‘wrong’.

The King was vulnerable (to factions and nobles) which allowed
Wolsey to PUT IDEAS into the King’s head and believe that they
were his own (source D, p. 32).
TOPIC: The Structure of government and the Role of Thomas Wolsey
OBJECTIVES: 9. Explain how Wolsey was able to maintain his position (methods).
KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT:
5. Read pages 38 - 39. What conclusions do historians G.R. Elton, J.J.
Scarsbrick and A.G. Dickens come to about Wolsey?
 All held TRADITIONAL VIEWS.
 G.R. Elton’s view held until the 1970s:
• ‘Wolsey’s doings were attended by folly, arrogance, false aims and
final failure’.

J.J. Scarsbrick also condemned Wolsey:
• Wolsey ‘has had terrible judgment passed against him for having
squandered power that was greedily amassed, for having
mishandled, violated, corrupted or neglected most of what was in
his charge’.

A.G. Dickens:
• ‘Wolsey’s personal arrogance, his enormous wealth and splendid
ostentation (pretentious display meant to impress ) were
resented’.
TOPIC: The Structure of government and the Role of Thomas Wolsey
OBJECTIVES: 9. Explain how Wolsey was able to maintain his position (methods).
SKILL DEVELOPMENT / PRACTICE:
1. Read sources F and G on pages 33 & 34. Discuss the tone of each.
 Does Guy’s assessment of Wolsey differ from Skelton’s? Explain /
QTS. (8)
2. Read the SKILLS BUILDER on page 41. Complete the table below (20):
What does he
say about Wolsey?
QTS.
Source I:
George Cavendish
p 39 - 40
Source J:
Polydore Vergil
p 40
Why do you think he wrote
that? What likely motivated
him?
TOPIC: The Structure of government and the Role of Thomas Wolsey
OBJECTIVES: 9. Explain how Wolsey was able to maintain his position (methods).
SKILL DEVELOPMENT / PRACTICE:
2. Read the SKILLS BUILDER on page 41. Complete the table below:
What does he
say about Wolsey?
QTS.
Source K:
Edward Hall
p 40
Source L:
John Skelton
p 41
HW:
1. Read pages 41 - 47. Jot some notes.
Why do you think he wrote
that? What likely motivated
him?