Was henry VIII all powerful? - Historum

kaskade · August 11th, 2012, 08:22 AM

Now I know this is heavily debated... but im referring more particularly to the reformation...

On the one hand Thomas Cromwell, a lutheran had a lot of influence on Henry during the reformation... he used his close proximity to the king to enforce his ideas by claiming that it is the kings will and that anyone who doesn't so forth adhere to these demands is a heretic... he further influenced henry too, which is why, yes henry died a catholic head of the church of england, yet it had properties very similar to that of a "protestant" church at this time...

But then we see that Henry DID still manage to divorce and seperate from rome, the most controversial decision of the medieval period... and he killed all his wives haha on a non-reformation note...

Any ideas??

**kbear** · August 11th, 2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaskade

Now I know this is heavily debated... but im referring more particularly to the reformation...

On the one hand Thomas Cromwell, a lutheran had a lot of influence on Henry during the reformation... he used his close proximity to the king to enforce his ideas by claiming that it is the kings will and that anyone who doesn't so forth adhere to these demands is a heretic... he further influenced henry too, which is why, yes henry died a catholic head of the church of england, yet it had properties very similar to that of a "protestant" church at this time...

But then we see that Henry DID still manage to divorce and seperate from rome, the most controversial decision of the medieval period... and he killed all his wives haha on a non-reformation note...

Any ideas??

henry did not kill all of his wives--only 2..

**tjadams** · August 11th, 2012, 08:38 AM

I'm fascinated with Henry 8.
I enjoy doing research on him.

sylla1 · August 11th, 2012, 08:45 AM

Back to the OP, de facto and for most of his reign AFAIK the answer would be yes.

Must agree with our TJ; Henry was a fascinating enlightened despot and an excellent administrator.

Darth Roach · August 11th, 2012, 09:16 AM

Well, his all-powerfullness is up to debate, still. He was certainly more powerful than the preceding English monarchs, but I don't think any feudal ruler (yes, Tudor England was still very much a feudal state) could be considered an absolute monarch.

**Louise C** · August 11th, 2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaskade

Now I know this is heavily debated... but im referring more particularly to the reformation...

On the one hand Thomas Cromwell, a lutheran had a lot of influence on Henry during the reformation... he used his close proximity to the king to enforce his ideas by claiming that it is the kings will and that anyone who doesn't so forth adhere to these demands is a heretic... he further influenced henry too, which is why, yes henry died a catholic head of the church of england, yet it had properties very similar to that of a "protestant" church at this time...

But then we see that Henry DID still manage to divorce and seperate from rome, the most controversial decision of the medieval period... and he killed all his wives haha on a non-reformation note...

Any ideas??

Henry had two of his wives executed (not all of them) but even so, there had to be a trial, he couldn't just order their execution. The law had to be seen to be taking its course, even though the outcome was inevitable.

**Crystal Rainbow** · August 11th, 2012, 06:26 PM

Kangaroo court, everybody has to obey a king. Especially as a Tudor one.

**kbear** · August 12th, 2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louise C

Henry had two of his wives executed (not all of them) but even so, there had to be a trial, he couldn't just order their execution. The law had to be seen to be taking its course, even though the outcome was inevitable.

true but their trials were a joke because the judges dare not find the women innocent for fear of henry. those judges knew damn well the charges against anne boleyn were bogus. how on earth is a queen, who is surrounded by people constantly going to have sex with 100 men? henry was such a complex man, on one hand he wanted his subjects to love him but he wanted them to fear him at the same time. i think he was more feared than loved...

sylla1 · August 12th, 2012, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbear

true but their trials were a joke because the judges dare not find the women innocent for fear of henry. those judges knew damn well the charges against anne boleyn were bogus. how on earth is a queen, who is surrounded by people constantly going to have sex with 100 men? henry was such a complex man, on one hand he wanted his subjects to love him but he wanted them to fear him at the same time. i think he was more feared than loved...

That might be the reason why Robert Hutchinson called this famous king the British Stalin...