Was Wolsey a genuine reformer?

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Was Wolsey a genuine reformer?

Wolsey was in large part a general reformer.

The national enquiry investigating the enclosure situation in England in 1517, the financial reform of updating taxation and tying to improve wealth of the crown, the creation of The court of the star chamber, and the management of nobility are all reasons to show why Wolsey was in large part a general reformer.

The national enquiry into enclosure during 1517-1518 was in some ways a success and in some ways a failure for Wolsey. The enquiry led to 264 landlords being proceeded against, 74 pleaded guilty and the other cases dragged on but 222 cases were decided.

This attempt at an economic and social reform showed that Wolsey did at take an interest into the problems of the poor and it showed great ambition and good intentions as it started of well. However the cases could take years to conclude and the enclosure policy was abandoned for 18 months in 1523 as Wolsey was trying to raise a subsidy to und the king’s foreign policy. This meant that even though it started well it ended badly as it didn’t really change things and it was just abandoned, which possibly shows how political concerns override his belief in reforms.

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The court of the Star Chamber was created by Wolsey to show justice to all. It was a criminal court and it paved the way for ordinary courts. The earl of Northumberland and Sir William Balmer being some of its victims. Wolsey wanted the benefits of the Star Chamber for everyone however this of course came at a price with the court being overloaded with cases as everyone tries to get justice. However having set up the court of the star chamber Wolsey didn’t consolidate it in the 1520s as he was again distracted by other concerns such as ...

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