To what extent were the factions in control of Henrican government between 1540 and 1547?

The Conservatives started on a good base by managing to remove Cromwell from power and by putting Catherine Howard on the throne. This point immediately assumes the idea that the factions had power, and were sneaky about using it, for these events mirror the ones of 1536 when Anne Boleyn was put on the throne as part of factional tactics. The plot involved Howard (the 19 year old daughter of the Duke of Norfolk's younger brother) having a romantic affair with Henry and ensuring that he was fed misinformation about Cromwell. Yet Howard 'lacked any political sense' and got bored with pretending to love the king, even though he was besotted with her. The Queen then found her 'romantic and sexual satisfaction elsewhere'. When the political enemies seized the opportunity to disgrace the Conservatives, they gathered the evidence and presented it to Henry in a church service and a plea to be read later in private. This proves that the factions had the power to get one up on the other, but only on the demands of the king. This news hit Henry severely and it led to his depression, which gave the factions another excuse to try and seize power. Yet this outcome was not good for the Conservatives. The Conservatives has no more success in implementing their power after this event. The failures continued when they tried to get revenge for the fall of Howard, by trying to get Henry's sixth wife Catherine Parr off the throne based on her 'advanced' religious views. The Lord Chancellor, Wriothesley was chosen to present the evidence to Henry. Later Wriothesley duly appeared with a contingent of guards to arrest Parr; he was not told that the king had decided not to take action against his wife. This event once again did not go in favour of the Conservatives. It is believed that Henry did not believe the accusations and liked his new wife who was able to give him and his children the care and attention they needed. This point emphasises that Henry was always in control no matter what; only his decisions counted. The bad luck did not end there for the Conservatives for the Earl of Surrey was executed for 'unwisely hinting that his ancestry gave him as much right as anyone to challenge the throne'. Here is evidence that Henry was aware of his weak situation and not totally blind to the political situation around him. Therefore Henry must have known of the factional competition and played it to his own advantage to control them.

The Progressives were a far more successful faction in gaining control after 1540. Firstly Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury managed to remove Catherine Howard off the throne by presenting evidence of her affairs to the king. This projected a respectable and loyal image of the Progressives, for it opened Henry's eyes. The Conservatives attempted to get revenge by trying to remove Cranmer, by informing the king that he was suspected of being a secret Protestant. Emphasising the trust between the king and Cranmer- Cranmer was instructed to investigate the charges himself. This point proves that Henry was not prepared to listen to all factional propaganda, but to make fools of particular members.

The Duke of Hertford was also on the good side of Henry since he was Jane Seymour's brother and the uncle of Edward. His ties were more recognised when he successfully commanded the army against the Scots and John Dudley. It was also Hertford's responsibility for putting Catherine Parr on the throne in 1543.

Sir Anthony Denny was another leading Progressive member, who controlled access to the king. He was able to influence Henry on a formal and informal basis. Sir William Paget, the king's Secretary was also able to influence the king; for these two men controlled everything the king saw. Denny was also given control of the dry stamp. These all emphasise Henry's favour to the Progressives, and the idea of competition to increase. In 1546 the Conservative faction was completely removed from the Privy Council and barred by Denny from personally interceding with the king. 'Wriothrsley and Rich were enticed into the Progressive faction by offers of a share in the patronage and prizes that would come during the minority'.

The idea of the will also projects Henry as the knowledgeable leader; for he keeps the factions fighting over a place in the will to keep control of them. This emphasise that the king has the most power- the factions are simply a means of running the government. Henry doesn't necessarily always listen to them. The fact that Henry did not have another chief minister suited him well, more sharing of less power. The king left the factions simply to deal with more mundane matters in the Privy Council. The will is the centre of historic controversy since it was signed the day after Henry died. Yet it seems that the 'new' court under Edward VI would be full of Progressives. The reason that the Conservatives decreased in power and the Progressives increased was that Henry was unwilling to allow one faction to dominate, yet it seems the other faction won in the end.

The evidence so far emphasises that Henry was always in control overall. He knew exactly whom he trusted and what was believable. The factions influenced Henry's decisions; but Henry only took serious action when he truly believed them or wanted to believe them. Other factor controlling Henry's judgment was his health, which affected his mood. Overall the power of the factions was limited by Henry's views on people and the situation. It is also evident that he favoured the Progressives more than the Conservatives. This is evident from his actions. Henry was aware of the factional problem therefore knew how to play one off the other. In many ways the 1540's saw a return to traditional kingship. Henry was pre-occupied with war, diplomacy and his status abroad. He may have been a lot more unsuccessful but it was still Henry who was in control.

By Sundeep Mahil