Henry VIII and Wolsey, 1509-29

A system of beliefs and practices based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

England's most important and largest city in 1509.

The English land along the Welsh border, traditionally a training ground for the Prince of Wales.

A dangerous medieval sport that involved men fighting on horseback, a favorite pastime of Henry VIII despite his father's disapproval.

The son of King Henry VII, who became King Henry VIII of England in 1509.

The father of King Henry VIII and the king of England before him. Remembered for being greedy and repressive.

The Prince of Wales before his death, who was Henry VIII's older brother.

The type of government where the monarch holds the highest power.

Henry VIII's main diplomat, Wolsey, managed England's foreign affairs and balanced Henry's ambitious plans with reality.

Charles I, the king of Spain from 1516, and Francis I, the king of France from 1515, were the main forces in Europe that Henry VIII had to manage.

The Holy Roman Emperor was Charles V, a member of the powerful Habsburg family and ruler of Spain. These states had a lot of political influence.

Scotland, an independent nation, was a traditional ally of France and a potential threat to England.

England was a middling power with control over Wales, the Channel Islands, part of Ireland, and Calais. English kings traditionally claimed the French throne.

The Netherlands, under Spanish control, was a major exporter of cloth during this period.

The Pope, based in Rome, was the head of the Catholic Church and controlled a large area of the Italian peninsula. France and Spain frequently threatened this independence.

The Ottoman Empire, a powerful Muslim state with a large, well-disciplined army, was expanding into Europe and North Africa during this period.

A political marriage that unites two nations through a royal union.

Catherine of Aragon was the daughter of the King and Queen of Spain, making her a princess with great political importance.

Henry VIII's older brother, Arthur, was married to Catherine of Aragon, but died before their marriage could be consummated. This allowed Catherine to be married to Henry instead, maintaining the alliance between England and Spain.

The confirmation of a marriage through sexual intimacy was crucial in the 16th century. It meant the marriage was considered legally valid and allowed for an heir to inherit the throne.

The emotional and physical impact of numerous pregnancies and miscarriages can be significant, especially on a Queen who was constantly under pressure to provide an heir for the throne. Catherine's story highlights this reality.

Henry VIII's desire for a male heir was paramount to ensuring the stability and continuation of the Tudor dynasty.

A regent is a person who rules a country in absence of the monarch, usually during times of illness or war. Catherine acted as regent when Henry invaded France in 1513.

This refers to the key reason behind Henry VIII's desire to annul his marriage to Catherine: the lack of a male heir to secure the future of the Tudor dynasty.

An offense involving the clergy, where they are deemed to have acted in the interests of the Pope rather than the King of England.

A treaty signed in 1518 aimed at achieving a 'universal peace' in Europe, involving France, England, and Spain.

It led to England being recognized as a powerful nation, placing Henry and Wolsey at the heart of European affairs.

The Treaty's success was short-lived. The war between France and the Habsburg Empire reignited in 1521.

Cardinal Wolsey believed the Treaty of London would ensure peace in Europe permanently.

It stipulated that if one nation attacked another, they were vulnerable to attack by the two remaining powers.

All 20 main European leaders, including the Pope, agreed to the Treaty of London's terms.

Henry VIII became associated with a peaceful image.

A shift in England's foreign policy to ally with France instead of the Holy Roman Empire, led by Cardinal Wolsey in response to Charles V's betrayal and growing power.

The 1525 treaty that brought peace between England and France, with Henry VIII giving up claims to French territories in exchange for an annual payment.

A coalition formed in 1526 by France, the Pope, Venice, and Florence to resist Charles V's expansion in Italy.

A 1527 treaty between England and France that further strengthened their alliance and threatened Charles V with military action if he didn't improve relations with his neighbors.

The Habsburg emperor who emerged as a major rival to King Henry VIII, leading to a change in England's foreign policy.

The Pope's capture by Charles V's troops in 1527, complicating Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon and Wolsey's foreign policy.

Henry VIII's desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon, a key factor in his decision to break with the Catholic Church.

The event that brought about Wolsey's fall from grace, as the Pope could not grant Henry VIII's divorce while under Charles V's control.

The annulment hearing was held at the Blackfriars court, with Catherine of Aragon pleading with Henry not to cast her aside. She was supported by powerful figures like John Fisher, Thomas More, and her nephew, Charles V.

Wolsey, the chief minister, was stripped of his powers and exiled to York after his divorce strategy failed. His death on the journey to London for trial on charges of praemunire was viewed as a relief, as he could have faced execution.

The failure of Wolsey's strategies, including the Amicable Grant, the annulment, and the alliance against Charles V, contributed to his fall from grace.

The Eltham Ordinances show Wolsey's efforts to keep rivals away from the king. However, the Boleyn family gained influence by supporting Henry's desire for a divorce, led by Thomas and George Boleyn.

The Boleyns, who supported Henry's desire for a divorce, believed that Wolsey was delaying the process. They gained power and influence, challenging Wolsey's position.

Wolsey's downfall can be attributed to the Boleyn family's influence on the court.

The opposition Catherine faced in the annulment process stemmed from her powerful supporters, including John Fisher and Thomas More, as well as her nephew, Charles V.

The pope was unable to support the annulment because of Catherine's connection to Charles V, who wielded significant power in Europe. This rendered the pope powerless to grant Henry's request.