Evaluate the response of the commonwealth to the Amicable Grant.

The response of the commonwealth to the Amicable Grant was largely negative, resulting in widespread resistance and rebellion.

The Amicable Grant was a non-parliamentary tax introduced in 1525 by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the Lord Chancellor of England under King Henry VIII. It was intended to fund the King's war efforts in France. However, the commonwealth, which comprised the general populace, reacted strongly against this imposition. The tax was seen as an overreach of the King's authority, as it was levied without the consent of Parliament, a violation of the traditional rights of Englishmen.

The resistance to the Amicable Grant was widespread and included both the gentry and the common people. In Suffolk, the resistance was so strong that it escalated into a full-scale rebellion, known as the Amicable Grant Rebellion. The rebels, led by John Nott and Robert Kett, demanded the abolition of the tax. The rebellion was significant enough to force the King to back down and pardon the rebels, demonstrating the power of popular resistance.

The response of the commonwealth to the Amicable Grant also highlighted the growing discontent with Wolsey's policies. Wolsey was seen as the driving force behind the tax, and his failure to quell the rebellion damaged his standing with the King. This, coupled with his failure to secure an annulment of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon, led to his downfall.

Furthermore, the resistance to the Amicable Grant marked a turning point in the relationship between the monarchy and the commonwealth. It demonstrated that the King could not impose taxes without the consent of his subjects, reinforcing the importance of Parliament in the governance of the country. This set a precedent for future monarchs and played a significant role in the development of constitutional monarchy in England.

In conclusion, the response of the commonwealth to the Amicable Grant was a significant event in English history. It demonstrated the power of popular resistance, led to the downfall of a powerful minister, and reinforced the importance of parliamentary consent in the imposition of taxes.