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: Wolsey’s reforms: enclosures, finance and justice. The Eltham Ordinances.
Thomas Wolsey implemented significant domestic reforms to strengthen royal authority and address social grievances.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Thomas Wolsey implemented significant domestic reforms to strengthen royal authority and address social grievances. In justice, he expanded the Court of Star Chamber to punish corrupt nobles, making the legal system more accessible to the poor. Financially, he replaced the fixed fifteenths and tenths tax with a more flexible and lucrative national subsidy based on accurate property valuations. To tackle rural poverty, Wolsey launched national inquiries into illegal enclosures of common land, bringing many landowners to court, though he later compromised due to parliamentary pressure. Finally, the 1526 Eltham Ordinances aimed to reform the royal household's finances by reducing expenses and dismissing inefficient servants, though Wolsey primarily used this to sideline his political rivals in the Privy Chamber.
What earns the marks
- Explain how the Star Chamber was used to target powerful nobles and provide cheaper justice for the poor.
- Describe the shift from the traditional fifteenths and tenths to the Tudor subsidy to increase crown revenue.
- Detail the 1517 national inquiry into enclosures and the subsequent legal actions taken against wealthy landowners.
- Analyse the dual purpose of the Eltham Ordinances: cutting royal household costs and removing Wolsey's political opponents.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming Wolsey successfully ended the practice of enclosure.
Put it right: State that while he prosecuted many landowners, opposition forced him to suspend his enclosure inquiries in 1523.
Confusing the Eltham Ordinances with national legal reforms.
Put it right: Specify that the Eltham Ordinances specifically reformed the royal household and Privy Chamber, not the national justice system.
Stating Wolsey invented the Star Chamber.
Put it right: Clarify that Henry VII created the Star Chamber, but Wolsey significantly expanded its use and daily caseload.
Exam tips
- Link Wolsey's domestic reforms to his overarching goal of centralising power and serving Henry VIII's financial needs.
- When evaluating Wolsey's success, contrast his initial ambitious reforms with his later compromises, such as abandoning enclosure policies to secure taxation.
- Use the Eltham Ordinances as a specific example of how Wolsey manipulated administrative reform to eliminate personal political rivals.
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: Wolsey’s reforms: enclosures, finance and justice. The Eltham Ordinances. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the primary purpose of the Eltham Ordinances introduced by Thomas Wolsey in 1526?
Listen
Thomas Wolsey implemented significant domestic reforms to strengthen royal authority and address social grievances. In justice, he expanded the Court of Star Chamber to punish corrupt nobles, making the legal system more accessible to the poor. Financially, he replaced the fixed fifteenths and tenths tax with a more flexible and lucrative national subsidy based on accurate property valuations. To tackle rural poverty, Wolsey launched national inquiries into illegal enclosures of common land, bringing many landowners to court, though he later compromised due to parliamentary pressure. Finally, the 1526 Eltham Ordinances aimed to reform the royal household's finances by reducing expenses and dismissing inefficient servants, though Wolsey primarily used this to sideline his political rivals in the Privy Chamber. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain how the Star Chamber was used to target powerful nobles and provide cheaper justice for the poor. Describe the shift from the traditional fifteenths and tenths to the Tudor subsidy to increase crown revenue. Detail the 1517 national inquiry into enclosures and the subsequent legal actions taken against wealthy landowners. Analyse the dual purpose of the Eltham Ordinances: cutting royal household costs and removing Wolsey's political opponents. A common slip: Claiming Wolsey successfully ended the practice of enclosure. Instead, State that while he prosecuted many landowners, opposition forced him to suspend his enclosure inquiries in 1523. Exam tip: Link Wolsey's domestic reforms to his overarching goal of centralising power and serving Henry VIII's financial needs.
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