1: Changes In Governance At The Centre Flashcards
What was patronage?
The distribution of land, offices or favours, through direct access either to the monarch or to their chief ministers
What was the royal court?
Served the monarch; wherever the monarch was the Court would follow. Important for display and entertainment, an informal source of power.
What was the role of the Royal Household?
Responsible for the ruler’s domestic needs. Hundreds of people were employed in the kitchens, laundries, gardens. Could grow or shrink according to the personal needs of the monarch and his family.
What were the Eltham Ordinances?
In 1536, Wolsey tried to reduce the expenses of the household due to the size of it by proposing a smaller council of 20 men who would travel with the king. In reality it was an attempt by Wolsey to restrict access to the king and control the political influence of those close to him. Unsuccessful- W didn’t have control over appointments or desires of king himself
What was the role of the Privy Chamber?
Series of rooms where the king and his family lived.
How did the role of the Privy Chamber change during the Tudor period?
Grew in political importance. Used to restrict access to Henry VIII:
-He created the Yeomen of the Guard-acted as his
personal bodyguards, guarded entrance to his private
rooms
-Used Chamber to collect+store royal income, monitored
personally
What were further reforms to the Privy Chamber under Henry VIII, when referring to the staff?
1518-Staff became known as the Gentleman of the Privy Chamber; most important was the Groom Of The Stool, in charge of the royal commode or toilet. These positions were filled by Henry’s most trusted friends, usually nobility or gentry. Due to the intimate and daily physical contact; they were also his advisors and often employed in more formal areas of govt. 1520-35: Gentleman of the Privy Chamber were sent on diplomatic missions to France.
What was the dry stamp?
A stamp made of the Kings signature, used for documents. Possession of the dry stamp could give the holder considerable power over aspects of govt such as grant of land, offices and titles. Kept by Gentleman of the Chamber. Henrys aversion to paperwork led to the into of the dry stamp.
How did the role of the Privy Chamber change under Mary?
Roles were filled by women rather than men. Marys female attendants were her former servants who had Catholic sympathies, were married to male members of Marys household. These women had great influence with the Queen, some took advantage of their position of trust to gain patronage and favours. One difference from Henry VIII was that her dry stamp was kept under lock and key, never allowed its use by her administrators.
How did the role of the Privy Chamber change under Elizabeth?
Continued its decline in political importance. Appointed the wives of her key councillors but reforms in 1559 meant that members of her household were also members of her Council. From then, politics and major decisions were determined through the formal channels of her Council, rather than through the informal route of the Chamber
What was the role of the Royal Council?
-Formal body which had existed since medieval times to
advise the monarch.
-Monarch chose who was on teh council, didn’t have to
take their advice.
-Helped the monarch with day-to-day running of the
country.
-Could act as a judicial court with high-profile legal cases
which couldn’t be solved through normal courts,
particularly cases with the nobility.
What was the role of the Royal Council under Henry VII?
-Informal
-1485-1509: Over 200 men attended Council meetings
-Consisted of members of the nobility, churchmen, royal
officials and lawyers.
-Included men who had served under his Yorkist
predecessors
-Important part in gathering information about popular
opinion+advising him on the best policies
