Read the poem loosely based on Thomas Wolsey on p.33. Remember, always think about the tone of a source first. Was he a supporter or opponent of Wolsey? Find examples to support your judgement.

Read the biography of Skelton provided. Why might he be so critical of Wolsey?!

starter activity

Picture of Skelton

How did Wolsey How did Wolsey maintain power?maintain power?

To identify and assess the To identify and assess the reasons why Wolsey was able reasons why Wolsey was able

to maintain powerto maintain power

Learning objectives

Key words: ruthless latitude Amicable Grant Crisis envoy

Your taskYour task

Read p.33-36 and take notes on these Read p.33-36 and take notes on these three areas which explain why Wolsey three areas which explain why Wolsey was able to stay in power:was able to stay in power:

Political relationship with Henry VIIIPolitical relationship with Henry VIII WealthWealth RuthlessnessRuthlessness Explain how these aspects might also Explain how these aspects might also

have threatened Wolsey’s grip on have threatened Wolsey’s grip on powerpower

Political relationshipPolitical relationship

Political partnership – H needed Political partnership – H needed Wolsey whilst he went hunting & Wolsey whilst he went hunting & feastingfeasting

K made final decisionsK made final decisions John Guy article – ministers allowed John Guy article – ministers allowed

latitude, but H8 made decisionslatitude, but H8 made decisions Limited occasions when H8 & Wolsey Limited occasions when H8 & Wolsey

disagreed between 1515 & 1529disagreed between 1515 & 1529

Wolsey’s wealthWolsey’s wealth

Used his wealth to promote ‘quasi Used his wealth to promote ‘quasi royal’ status (Starkey)royal’ status (Starkey)

Entertained foreign envoys lavishlyEntertained foreign envoys lavishly Travelled on a muleTravelled on a mule Held multiple posts, e.g. Abp of York, Held multiple posts, e.g. Abp of York,

Bp of Tournai, Abbot of St AlbansBp of Tournai, Abbot of St Albans Patron of arts & education – Hampton Patron of arts & education – Hampton

Court, Cardinal College, OxfordCourt, Cardinal College, Oxford

RuthlessnessRuthlessness

Imprisoned enemies, e.g. Polydore Imprisoned enemies, e.g. Polydore Vergil (1515)Vergil (1515)

Executed high profile opponents, Executed high profile opponents, e.g. Duke of Buckingham (1521)e.g. Duke of Buckingham (1521)

Sent troublemakers abroad, e.g. Sent troublemakers abroad, e.g. Richard PaceRichard Pace

Polydore Vergil, Italian humanist

The execution of Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, 1521.

What does this case study reveal aboutThe power of HenryThe character of Wolsey

History’s perception of Wolsey?

Picture of execution of Buckingham

Which picture best sums up the 4 historical views of Wolsey on p.38? Explain why. Can you come up with an alternative view or

which do you prefer at this stage?

Which picture best sums up the 4 historical views of Wolsey on p.38? Explain why. Can you come up with an alternative view or

which do you prefer at this stage?

A) Wolsey the strong man – key player

B) Wolsey the servant of the King

C) Wolsey the equal partner

D) Henry – pulled apart by factions at court, including by Wolsey

Your taskYour task Who ruled England in the period 1519-29? Who ruled England in the period 1519-29?

Imagine you are either a lawyer for the defence Imagine you are either a lawyer for the defence or prosecution of Wolsey. or prosecution of Wolsey.

Read through the views on p.38. Which ones Read through the views on p.38. Which ones would support your view?would support your view?

Read through your notes, hand outs and the Read through your notes, hand outs and the sources on p.29-38 and gather evidence from sources on p.29-38 and gather evidence from contemporaries and historians to support contemporaries and historians to support either the orthodox (Wolsey in charge) or either the orthodox (Wolsey in charge) or revisionist line (Henry remained in charge)revisionist line (Henry remained in charge)

Write a short speech setting out your caseWrite a short speech setting out your case

Starter sentencesStarter sentences

Members of the jury, I would ask you Members of the jury, I would ask you to consider this …to consider this …

Firstly, I would suggest thatFirstly, I would suggest that Secondly, I would stress thatSecondly, I would stress that Thirdly, I would refute the charge Thirdly, I would refute the charge

that …that … In summary, from the evidence In summary, from the evidence

provided it can be seen that …provided it can be seen that …

Success criteriaSuccess criteriaRoom for improvement

Getting there Wow factor!

You have only partially completed your speech, e.g. only covered the first two points

You have some good ideas but limited facts

You aren’t very persuasive

You have covered 3 key areas but not finished your summing up

You refer to key events, but could include more views from the sources or historians

You are beginning to persuade

You cover all 3 points, e.g. his relationship with Henry, his wealth and ruthlessness as well as summing up

You use well selected details from your notes and the sources and include historians’ views

You are very persuasive

Extension taskExtension task

Read the article about Read the article about Wolsey in History Today, Wolsey in History Today, 1995.1995.

Take notes on either side Take notes on either side of the debate ‘that of the debate ‘that Wolsey ruled the King Wolsey ruled the King and the Kingdom’and the Kingdom’

Where do you think John Where do you think John Guy stands on the issue?Guy stands on the issue?

HomeworkHomework

Prepare for a timed question next Prepare for a timed question next week – a Qa question based on week – a Qa question based on Chapters 1-2 and the work so far on Chapters 1-2 and the work so far on WolseyWolsey

How did Wolsey How did Wolsey maintain power?maintain power?

To identify and assess the To identify and assess the reasons why Wolsey was able reasons why Wolsey was able

to maintain powerto maintain power

Learning objectives

Key words: ruthless latitude Amicable Grant Crisis envoy