Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 1: Henry VIII and Wolsey, 1509–29 - 2 The rise of Wolsey and his…
Full specification wording
Option B3: Key topic 1: Henry VIII and Wolsey, 1509–29 - 2 The rise of Wolsey and his policies: Reasons for and reactions to the Amicable Grant.
The Amicable Grant of 1525 was a non-parliamentary tax devised by Wolsey to fund Henry VIII’s foreign policy.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The Amicable Grant of 1525 was a non-parliamentary tax devised by Wolsey to fund Henry VIII’s foreign policy. Following the French defeat at Pavia, Henry saw an opportunity to invade France. Because the treasury was depleted and Parliament opposed further subsidies, Wolsey demanded a forced loan, taking a sixth of secular goods and a third of clerical property. The reaction was overwhelmingly hostile, sparking widespread rebellion, notably in Lavenham, Suffolk, where thousands of men protested. This fierce resistance forced Henry to abandon the tax, pardon the rebels, and publicly blame Wolsey. The failure of the Amicable Grant severely damaged Wolsey's domestic authority and marked the beginning of his declining relationship with the King.
What earns the marks
- Identify Henry VIII's desire to invade France after the Battle of Pavia (1525) as the primary reason for needing funds.
- Explain that the Amicable Grant bypassed Parliament because previous requests for taxation had been met with resistance.
- Describe the scale of the reaction, specifically the mass protests and near-rebellion in East Anglia, such as in Lavenham.
- Analyse the consequences of the rebellion: Henry abandoning the tax, pardoning the rebels, and scapegoating Wolsey.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating the Amicable Grant was a tax approved by Parliament.
Put it right: Emphasise that it was a forced loan demanded by royal prerogative, bypassing parliamentary approval.
Claiming the rebellion was violently crushed by the King's army.
Put it right: Note that the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk negotiated with the rebels, and Henry ultimately backed down and pardoned them.
Confusing the Amicable Grant with the Tudor Subsidy.
Put it right: Distinguish the Amicable Grant (a 1525 forced loan) from the Tudor Subsidy (a parliamentary tax based on property assessments).
Exam tips
- Use the Amicable Grant as a key turning point when discussing the decline of Wolsey's power and his relationship with Henry VIII.
- Highlight the geographical specificities of the rebellion, mentioning Suffolk and East Anglia, to demonstrate precise historical knowledge.
- Connect the domestic crisis of the Amicable Grant directly to the pressures of Henry's ambitious foreign policy goals.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option B3: Key topic 1: Henry VIII and Wolsey, 1509–29 - 2 The rise of Wolsey and his policies: Reasons for and reactions to the Amicable Grant. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the main reason Thomas Wolsey introduced the Amicable Grant in 1525?
Listen
The Amicable Grant of 1525 was a non-parliamentary tax devised by Wolsey to fund Henry VIII’s foreign policy. Following the French defeat at Pavia, Henry saw an opportunity to invade France. Because the treasury was depleted and Parliament opposed further subsidies, Wolsey demanded a forced loan, taking a sixth of secular goods and a third of clerical property. The reaction was overwhelmingly hostile, sparking widespread rebellion, notably in Lavenham, Suffolk, where thousands of men protested. This fierce resistance forced Henry to abandon the tax, pardon the rebels, and publicly blame Wolsey. The failure of the Amicable Grant severely damaged Wolsey's domestic authority and marked the beginning of his declining relationship with the King. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify Henry VIII's desire to invade France after the Battle of Pavia (1525) as the primary reason for needing funds. Explain that the Amicable Grant bypassed Parliament because previous requests for taxation had been met with resistance. Describe the scale of the reaction, specifically the mass protests and near-rebellion in East Anglia, such as in Lavenham. Analyse the consequences of the rebellion: Henry abandoning the tax, pardoning the rebels, and scapegoating Wolsey. A common slip: Stating the Amicable Grant was a tax approved by Parliament. Instead, Emphasise that it was a forced loan demanded by royal prerogative, bypassing parliamentary approval. Exam tip: Use the Amicable Grant as a key turning point when discussing the decline of Wolsey's power and his relationship with Henry VIII.
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