Henry VIII’s foreign policy Essay Example

peasants and monks found hard to resist.

The "State of the Church was widely believed to be rotten" and so satirists exaggerated points to convict monasteries.

Whilst not all of the proposed allegations were true, there was enough "reality to draw on" to carry out these convictions. Cromwell policies also made it financially worthwhile for heads of houses to surrender their monasteries, with this also at stake, many monasteries voluntarily gave up themselves up to receive the riches - an act which Is exactly what would have been expected when rebel forces met the Kings forces.

This cunning plan of manipulation and rewards can also be seen in source 2 as Edward Hall, a Member of Parliament and so therefore fairly biased in his opinion of Henry, states with a promise from the King for all things to "be brought to good order and conclusion" Henry was viable, it never succeeded which proves that the statement is correct. The King, for all intents and purposes, was undetectable as he was able to bend tuitions to suit him best.

This can be seen when Henry, in a rapid succession from 1 532, passed legislation through Parliament curbing the influence of the papacy in England and appointing himself as Supreme Head of the Church. Not only that but those who opposed King Henry in sources 1, 2 and 3 could have been charge with high treason under the Treason Act of 1534. This was an ultimate deterrent for the opposition to even think about forming as those who were charge with treason would loose all property and be killed without the chance to claim sanctuary.