2. How dangerous were factional rivalries in the 1540’s? DANGEROUS

4. How dangerous were factional rivalries in the 1540’s? NOT DANGEROUS

6. Did Henry direct policy in the final years? YES

7. Reformation- it was Henry’s decision to end religious experimentation with the Act of Six Articles 1539. This was reinforced with the King’s Book and Act for the Advancement of True Religion 1543 Puppet master of factions- encouraging plots then turning against them (Cranmer and Parr plots) Still involved in administrative affairs- had personal charge of the cash reserve (‘Privy Coffers’) Will- Henry’s decision to put in place a Regency Council for Edward (16 men) After execution of Catherine Howard he sought solace in adventurous foreign affairs, enabling him to taste the glory that had eluded his early years ( no big gains but enough to fulfil his own objectives) Led his own army of 48,000 into battle against the French 1544 Henry’s decision not to honour the agreement made with Charles V in 1543- instead laying siege to Boulogne Disastrous financial issues were clearly directed by Henry: borrowed money for war, sold ex-religious lands, raised taxation, debasement of coinage (leaving terrible legacy for his children) Ruled without leading minister after fall of Cromwell

8. Did Henry direct policy in the final years? NO

9. Did his desire to set up a 16 man Regency Council for Edward suggest he was at the mercy of factions? Dry Stamp- increased use of stamp in last years suggests Henry was taking a back seat Denny in charge of the Dry Stamp from 1546- reformist views/ influence Immobile, in pain, increasing ill health- an ideal target for manipulation? Period was dominated by factional struggle. Had a significant impact upon the development of government Smith- Henry was ‘at best only in partial control’ On going factional battles throughout and beyond his death suggests he was under pressure from both sides His will was kept secret for three days and his will partially ignored to the benefit of the reformist faction

10. Why did Cromwell fall? Bad luck/ own failings Interference/ opportunities for the conservative faction

11. Trial and execution of John Lambert showed Henry would only go so far with the reformation Conservatives opposed the rise of the ‘new man’ and took advantage of this first ‘nail in the coffin’ for Cromwell

12. The Act of Six Articles saw Henry revoke some of the more extreme reformist values, e.g. He confirmed transubstantiation Tips scales in favour of conservatives- shows that however close to the King he is, he cannot go against him in religion

13. The arranged marriage to Anne of Cleves was a disaster- Henry felt humiliated and blamed Cromwell entirely. Thus foreign affairs served to undo Cromwell Failed marriage gives Norfolk perfect chance to bring his niece Catherine Howard into the game- opposite of Anne of Cleves, young attractive. Henry = flattered, further pushed away from Cromwell

14. His association with reformists secured the accusations against him as a heretic, supportive of sacramentations in Calais He was not given a full trial- Norfolk convicted him by pushing through an Act of Attainder. Beheaded July 28th

15. The Conservatives in power... then not Three key victories: the Six Articles Act, Cromwell’s fall was very soon followed by Henry’s marriage to Norfolk’s niece Catherine Howard- this was a successful time for the conservatives However when Catherine Howard was executed for adultery (the reform faction provided evidence of her infidelity), this was a disaster for the conservatives Tried to ensure the downfall of Cranmer in 1543 and Catherine Parr in 1546- both of these attempts failed Henry gave Cranmer his ring to show that he had the King’s support, and even placed Cranmer in charge of his own investigation! When Wriothesley appeared to arrest the Queen, he was branded a knave by Henry

16. Conservative downfall was swift- Hertford’s success in Scotland, the success of Catherine Parr and the rise of Denny all put the reformists at an advantage Fall of Stephan Gardiner- execution of his nephew and secretary Germayne Gardiner for denying the Royal Supremacy. Also was embroiled in plot against the Queen. Pushed out of favour Norfolk’s son Surrey had spoken out openly about his family’s claim to the throne (great grandson of King Edward I) and put his royal coat of arms onto the family emblem- due to Edward’s age and Henry’s health, this was seen as a significant threat. Surrey executed, Norfolk only just survived

17. The Losers- Conservatives, primarily Norfolk, Surrey, Gardiner With them out of the way, the path was cleared for two rising stars- Hertford (Edward Seymour, soon to be Somerset), whose sisters marriage to Henry had boosted an already successful career at court, consolidated by military success in the 1540’s And Viscount Lisle (Dudley) who had rapidly risen in 1542-3, places in both Privy chamber and Council, and Lord Admiral.

18. Henry’s will- how the reformists intervened in their favour

19. Sir Anthony Denny (reformist) was made Chief Gentleman of the King’s Privy Chamber in October 1546. He tended to Henry’s needs and spent much time with the King. He also decided whether Henry was fit to receive visitors and who should be admitted. His position gave him access to an important political instrument, the Dry Stamp.

20. Using the stamp, the reform faction could legalise any document they chose- including an altered version of Henry’s will which he was thought too ill to approve. The revised will left the succession as Henry had agreed in the 1544 Succession Act, but added provisions that strengthened the power of the Regency Council established to rule on Edward’s behalf. It was made possible for the council to invest authority in a single individual, and a clause was included which enabled the Council to put into effect Grants of offices and Titles which it was claimed Henry had wanted but not lived to implement.

21. News of the King’s death was withheld for 3 days, an interval that gave Hertford (Somerset) time to gain possession of the new King before the country had learned of the death of the old. Somerset was appointed Lord Protector by the council and used the new power to promote supporters with new titles and positions in government. He also appointed his own Privy Council, drawing on a wider circle of men than the will had envisaged.