READERS GUIDE

At the beginning of the reign of Henry VIII, his virtues were extolled
by those who served him. How does the adulation the
young King initially inspired of the court compare to the subsequent
attitudes his courtiers held toward him? In which ways was
he burdened by unrealistic expectations? How did the King
manipulate his early reputation to his advantage?

2. It’s an adage that a man can often be judged by the company he
keeps. How did this prove true of Henry VIII? How much choice
did he have over who comprised the court, and how much of
it was determined by external factors (for example, tradition, custom,
blood ties, or the influence of others)?

3. How did the rich physical appearance of the court and his various
palaces reflect the way that Henry VIII felt about himself and his
place in the world? Why were opulent surroundings, including
innovations in architecture, so important to him? How did the
physical arrangement of the King’s palaces establish the hierarchy
of his courtiers?

4. What characteristics of a courtier do you think that the King held
in highest regard? Which characteristics were undesirable? Can
you apply these to advisors of leaders in modern times? In your
opinion, which of the King’s courtiers was most successful in
serving Henry VIII? Who was the most successful in advancing
his own personal interests?

5. How did the itinerant nature of the court and its constant movement
from place to place affect its makeup? How might it have
been different–both physically and politically–if it had been
permanently situated in one spot?

6. The Privy Council and the Privy Chamber formed the most elite
core of Henry’s courtiers and advisors. Was this similar or different
to the setup of the King’s father, Henry VII? What were the
differences between the two groups? How did these individuals
wield their influence? How did Henry VIII’s mistrust of the
gentry shape the court, and how did it prove less constrained
by a strict social hierarchy than the outside world as a whole at
that time?

7. At the time of Henry VIII’s kingship, the ideas of the Renaissance
were flourishing. Which of these ideas were most influential to
the King and his court? How did influential humanists–for
example, Petrarch or Sir Thomas More–shape the thoughts and
policies of the King? How was the King’s warlike spirit at odds
with the opinions of his humanist friends and confidants?

8. Thomas Wolsey enjoyed a spectacular rise to power, becoming a
cardinal who was considered as powerful–or even more–than
his master, Henry VIII. Which attributes make him indispensable
to the King? How does he arouse antipathy from the others
around him? What role does his background, breeding, and personal
ambition play in his rise and eventual downfall? What purpose
did Wolsey serve for both his friends and his enemies?

9. How could the King’s favor–or displeasure–toward a courtier affect
their fortunes? Examples to discuss could include Cardinal Wolsey,
Thomas Cromwell, Archbishop Cranmer, Sir Thomas More, the
Duke of Suffolk, Sir Nicholas Carew, and Fray Diego Fernandez.

10. Henry VIII’s love for Anne Boleyn changed not only the
court, but also the path of England. It led to the King’s "Great
Matter"–his desire to nullify his marriage to Queen Katherine of
Aragon. How did this issue factionalize the court? What issues do
you believe it eclipsed, and which did it bring to the forefront?
How did the religious climate of the time, and Luther’s 95 Theses
in particular, also affect the question of religion?

11. Anne Boleyn positioned herself as a paragon of virtue and
morality. How did this contrast with her ascent to the throne and
some of her own personal characteristics? How did her influence
compare to that enjoyed by Katherine, and how did pomp and
patronage play into her reign? How did the opinion held of her
by the courtiers evolve, and how did that compare to public’s
view of her? What attributes that initially attracted Henry to her
proved to be her undoing?

12. Thomas Cromwell was the second powerful figure to take precedence
in the court of Henry VIII. How did he compare to
Wolsey? In which ways did Cromwell wield more influence on
the King and on the policies of England than Wolsey? Why? How
was his downfall similar to that of Wolsey? How was he merely
the victim of his adversaries?

13. How did the question of succession shape not only Henry VIII’s
marriages and liaisons, but also the court in general? How did the
birth of Prince Edward affect this? What type of relationship
do you believe that Henry’s children by three different mothers
enjoyed with one another? In particular, how did the relationship
between Mary and Elizabeth thrive? What restrictions were
placed upon it?

14. How did the lavish spending on coronations, palaces, queens, and
wartime activity affect the later years of the King? How did he
react to the constant scourge of plague and illness?

15. How was the Reformation of Henry VIII a dividing point between
the conservatives and the radicals of his court? How was
the Act of Six Articles, which established the doctrine of the
Church of England as law, received by both groups? What elements
of the Act most reflected Renaissance thinking?

16. How did Henry’s advisors use the King’s faith to their own advantage,
often in ousting their enemies? How did his position of head
of the Church influence the King and his way of thinking? In
your opinion, how much of his faith was motivated by personal
desires (for example, the nullification of his marriages)?

17. How did the various wives–particularly Katherine of Aragon
and Anne Boleyn–wield power and influence? How were they
employed to advance the interests of particular courtiers, especially
in regard to alliances with other countries? Which causes
were advanced by each Queen?

18. How were at least three of the wives removed from power by the
maneuverings of the King, the court, or both? Do you think that
the influence enjoyed by women in Henry VIII’s court was unusual
based on the gender attitudes of the time? Why or why not?

19. At the close of his life, Henry VIII had grown quite ill. How did
this affect the day-to-day workings of the court and the King’s advisors?
How would you characterize the management style of the
King? Would you say that Henry VIII was by nature a laissez-faire
manager, or was he merely forced to become one because of his
failing health? Why or why not?

Questions and Topics for Discussion

1. 1. At the beginning of the reign of Henry VIII, his virtues were extolled
by those who served him. How does the adulation the
young King initially inspired of the court compare to the subsequent
attitudes his courtiers held toward him? In which ways was
he burdened by unrealistic expectations? How did the King
manipulate his early reputation to his advantage?

2. It’s an adage that a man can often be judged by the company he
keeps. How did this prove true of Henry VIII? How much choice
did he have over who comprised the court, and how much of
it was determined by external factors (for example, tradition, custom,
blood ties, or the influence of others)?

3. How did the rich physical appearance of the court and his various
palaces reflect the way that Henry VIII felt about himself and his
place in the world? Why were opulent surroundings, including
innovations in architecture, so important to him? How did the
physical arrangement of the King’s palaces establish the hierarchy
of his courtiers?

4. What characteristics of a courtier do you think that the King held
in highest regard? Which characteristics were undesirable? Can
you apply these to advisors of leaders in modern times? In your
opinion, which of the King’s courtiers was most successful in
serving Henry VIII? Who was the most successful in advancing
his own personal interests?

5. How did the itinerant nature of the court and its constant movement
from place to place affect its makeup? How might it have
been different–both physically and politically–if it had been
permanently situated in one spot?

6. The Privy Council and the Privy Chamber formed the most elite
core of Henry’s courtiers and advisors. Was this similar or different
to the setup of the King’s father, Henry VII? What were the
differences between the two groups? How did these individuals
wield their influence? How did Henry VIII’s mistrust of the
gentry shape the court, and how did it prove less constrained
by a strict social hierarchy than the outside world as a whole at
that time?

8. At the time of Henry VIII’s kingship, the ideas of the Renaissance
were flourishing. Which of these ideas were most influential to
the King and his court? How did influential humanists–for
example, Petrarch or Sir Thomas More–shape the thoughts and
policies of the King? How was the King’s warlike spirit at odds
with the opinions of his humanist friends and confidants?

10. Thomas Wolsey enjoyed a spectacular rise to power, becoming a
cardinal who was considered as powerful–or even more–than
his master, Henry VIII. Which attributes make him indispensable
to the King? How does he arouse antipathy from the others
around him? What role does his background, breeding, and personal
ambition play in his rise and eventual downfall? What purpose
did Wolsey serve for both his friends and his enemies?

11. How could the King’s favor–or displeasure–toward a courtier affect
their fortunes? Examples to discuss could include Cardinal Wolsey,
Thomas Cromwell, Archbishop Cranmer, Sir Thomas More, the
Duke of Suffolk, Sir Nicholas Carew, and Fray Diego Fernandez.

12. Henry VIII’s love for Anne Boleyn changed not only the
court, but also the path of England. It led to the King’s "Great
Matter"–his desire to nullify his marriage to Queen Katherine of
Aragon. How did this issue factionalize the court? What issues do
you believe it eclipsed, and which did it bring to the forefront?
How did the religious climate of the time, and Luther’s 95 Theses
in particular, also affect the question of religion?

13. Anne Boleyn positioned herself as a paragon of virtue and
morality. How did this contrast with her ascent to the throne and
some of her own personal characteristics? How did her influence
compare to that enjoyed by Katherine, and how did pomp and
patronage play into her reign? How did the opinion held of her
by the courtiers evolve, and how did that compare to public’s
view of her? What attributes that initially attracted Henry to her
proved to be her undoing?

14. Thomas Cromwell was the second powerful figure to take precedence
in the court of Henry VIII. How did he compare to
Wolsey? In which ways did Cromwell wield more influence on
the King and on the policies of England than Wolsey? Why? How
was his downfall similar to that of Wolsey? How was he merely
the victim of his adversaries?

15. How did the question of succession shape not only Henry VIII’s
marriages and liaisons, but also the court in general? How did the
birth of Prince Edward affect this? What type of relationship
do you believe that Henry’s children by three different mothers
enjoyed with one another? In particular, how did the relationship
between Mary and Elizabeth thrive? What restrictions were
placed upon it?

17. How did the lavish spending on coronations, palaces, queens, and
wartime activity affect the later years of the King? How did he
react to the constant scourge of plague and illness?

18. How was the Reformation of Henry VIII a dividing point between
the conservatives and the radicals of his court? How was
the Act of Six Articles, which established the doctrine of the
Church of England as law, received by both groups? What elements
of the Act most reflected Renaissance thinking?

19. How did Henry’s advisors use the King’s faith to their own advantage,
often in ousting their enemies? How did his position of head
of the Church influence the King and his way of thinking? In
your opinion, how much of his faith was motivated by personal
desires (for example, the nullification of his marriages)?

20. How did the various wives–particularly Katherine of Aragon
and Anne Boleyn–wield power and influence? How were they
employed to advance the interests of particular courtiers, especially
in regard to alliances with other countries? Which causes
were advanced by each Queen?

21. How were at least three of the wives removed from power by the
maneuverings of the King, the court, or both? Do you think that
the influence enjoyed by women in Henry VIII’s court was unusual
based on the gender attitudes of the time? Why or why not?

22. At the close of his life, Henry VIII had grown quite ill. How did
this affect the day-to-day workings of the court and the King’s advisors?
How would you characterize the management style of the
King? Would you say that Henry VIII was by nature a laissez-faire
manager, or was he merely forced to become one because of his
failing health? Why or why not?