How far was Henry in control of court politics and faction from 1536 to1547?

How far was Henry in control of court politics and faction from 1536 to1547?

1. Henry controlled faction

   • Henry did not appoint a chief minister to replace Cromwell
   • Led 48,000 men to battle in France in June 1544
   • His appointment of "new men" showed he did not rely on just the gentry and nobility
   • Christmas speech in 1545 argues against factions and wanted to find a middle path for religion
   • Plot against Parr - Henry played both sides against each other
   • Earl of Surrey's execution showed once people were no longer useful they were disposed off
   • Henry put forward the Act of Six Articles rather than Gardiner of Norfolk
     • But may have been steered by conservatives as the Act was predominantly Catholic-based
   • Henry treated John Lambert harshly by burning him at the stake in 1538, shows he is in control of religious matters
     • But Gardiner was present at Lambert's address and so was an integral part of the prosecution
   • The Cleves marriage showed that Cromwell's intentions to increase reformist influence over the King was disregarded by the King's wishes
   • Catherine Howard's adultery meant Norfolk and his son removed themselves from court as they had fallen out of Henry's favour
   • Henry executed up to 150,000 people (out of a population of 2 million in 1520)
   • The plot against Cranmer showed Henry had learned from his mistake with Cromwell
   • Gardiner's refusal to hand over ecclesiastical lands to Henry in late 1546 resulting in his exclusion from court
   • Quotes
     • P Gwyn argues "Henry was not someone who could be easily manipulated"
     • P Gwyn argues factions "were never able to manage him to any significant extent"

2. Factions controlled Henry

   • Cranmer delivered accounts of Catherine Howard's adultery in mass - the conservative faction had compiled evidence against her behind the King's back
   • The plot against Catherine Parr shows the conservatives trying to get rid of her reformist influence
   • Denny's appointment as Chief Gentleman of the Privy Chamber meant he had more access to the King and used his access to the dry stamp to improve the reformist cause
   • Henry's will was changed/ignored before he was even buried
   • Cromwell's downfall
     • Norfolk accused Cromwell of being a heretic
     • Robert Barnes (a reformer) was put under pressure by Gardiner to turn on Cromwell
     • He was convicted by an Act of Attainder which was steered through the Lords by Norfolk
   • Quotes
     • Scarisbrick: "Catherine Howard... had been placed before a ready King, and the bait worked quickly"

3. Henry needed factions, but they were a risk

   • Henry's Christmas speech against factional rivalries was only in the last two years of Henry's reign when he was ill and weak
   • Marriage to Catherine Howard was liked by Henry but also benefitted Duke of Norfolk and the conservative faction
   • Factional struggles could be controlled during the majority of Henry's reign but it was during the last two years, when Henry was sick and weak, that they became a risk as he could not control them