Henry VIII end of the reign.

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Henry VIII end of the reign

The mid-Tudor crisis is a term often used to describe the reigns of Edward and Mary. It is, however, clear that many origins of the crisis have their roots in Henry's reign. I believe that it is not fair to say that the last years of Henry's reign were a disaster, as at no point was the crown really threatened. Henry was able to keep control of his people, although he and his Ministers made indisputably bad judgements that compromised the Crown at a later date.

Henry's policies relating to the constitutional difficulties cannot be blamed for the eminent crisis. Cromwell`s reforms actually made the Tudor state more powerful "but this advance was weakened by minority" Henry did his best, before his death, to set up a Privy Council which he could trust to guide and inform his young heir. He chose advisors who were closest to him to take on the task, and by doing this hoped to avoid any emerging power struggles. Henry wanted all members to have equal power and thought that they should govern until Edward reached the age of Eighteen. By balancing the power between the Radical and Conservative factions Henry believed he had created what would function as a balanced and fair Government. Unfortunately what came to follow meant that this could never happen. At the time of Henry's death the Radical party had gained control, this being partly down to the work of Henry himself. Gardiner and Norfolk were arrested which had accordingly weakened the Conservative faction. A balanced Government, in theory, is a good idea but in practice is almost impossible to impose especially when there is a "power vacuum" and "no longer a royal focus of authority"

The "king himself was the mainspring of the state machine, and under his hand he kept all the apparatus of administrative depotism" Henry was always involved in his government and it worked effectively and efficiently, the administration council easily supported the new style government. His Privy Council, whose role was to advise, administer and adjudicate, were trustworthy and he was not to become manipulated by them until the last months of his life. His will was one such case, where space was left for change after his death and another when Gardiner was ousted from office

Due to this struggle for power Somerset emerged as leader. He did, however, have little support in Government and Henry's policy of an equal Privy Council may have ended in disaster if Somerset had remained in power. The Government under Henry had been strong and he managed Parliament relatively well. This ability to manage well could be put down to his personality and a system where the Monarch was based in the Parliament. Although the system worked well for Henry it was not suitable for a young King with no experience. Henry's Government functioned well, however, it was controlled towards the end of the reign by Sir Anthony Denny. Denny was Chief Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber and John Gates (Denny`s Brother in Law) had custody of the Dry Stamp. Denny's servant, William Clerk, was responsible for its actual use and this meant that Denny not only had access to the Dry Stamp, but as Chief Gentleman of the Privy Chamber he had direct access to the King and had jurisdiction over who could have access to him. Allowing this to happen managed to distance Henry from other members of the Council and also got him a some what censored report of what was going on in his country.

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Although there was both faction and individuals at work in Henry's Court as proved in the case of Cromwell passed the act of precedence which favoured himself, and when Norfolk took an active role in overthrowing him from power. His will was carried out the way he wanted it to, more or less be, this in itself is a success. The only person who contended the succession was Northumberland when he tried to put Lady Jane Grey on the throne, but he failed and Henry's will was still eventually carried out.

"A nation divided in religion" has been ...

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