Eltham ordinances

The Eltham Ordinances were a set of reforms to the administration of Henry VIII of England's court, enacted by Cardinal Wolsey in January 1526. Although their stated aim was to save money and eliminate waste in the royal household, Wolsey also used the Ordinances to reduce the power of his rivals at court.

The Ordinances were devised by Wolsey and the king at Eltham Palace in Kent in reaction to a financial crisis caused by the cost of England's wars with France. Expenses were to be reduced by cutting the number of Crown servants, expelling hangers-on, and imposing restrictions on expenditure on food and other provisions. At the same time regulations were imposed to introduce greater formality in the presence of, and access to, the king, to reduce absenteeism, and to institute appointment and promotion based on merit.

Some of the most significant changes took place in the Privy chamber, a power centre at court over which Wolsey had previously had little influence. The number of Gentlemen of the Chamber was reduced from twelve to six; amongst those removed were a number of the Cardinal's enemies, such as Sir William Compton, the Groom of the Stool, Sir Francis Bryan, Sir Nicholas Carew, and Thomas and George Boleyn. Their removal caused much resentment against Wolsey.

Although the Eltham Ordinances achieved their intentions to some degree, Henry's court remained large, unwieldy, and affected by factions. Only thirteen years later, it was deemed necessary to institute further reforms.

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