1 - The Political Nation and Social Basis of Power Flashcards
What is meant by ‘Political Nation’?
People who had economical, political or social power and had the ability to vote
What were the main sources of the Political Nations power?
Wealth and Land Ownership
Who was the head of the Political Nation?
The Monarch
What is the definition of ‘Prerogative’?
A right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class
What key areas did the monarchs prerogative give them power over?
‣ Foreign Diplomacy (relations with other countries) as Head of State
‣ Declaration of War as commander-in-chief of the military
‣ Legislation (passing of laws) through the right to call and dissolve Parliament
‣ Religion as the Supreme Governor (head) of the Church of England
What is meant by the term ‘Absolutist’?
An all-powerful monarch
What limited the monarch from becoming completely absolutist?
Finances
Why couldn’t the monarchs income meet their expenses?
Due to a century of inflation and Crown expediture
How could the monarch raise substantial funds?
Parliamentary subsidies
What is meant by ‘Subsidies’?
A sum of money granted by parliament to meet the monarch’s needs
How was subsidies raised by Parliament?
Taxing the Political Nation
Why was Parliament reluctant to grant subsidies?
Because it required taxing the Political Nation due to their wealth, and those were the people who had elected and voted them into power.
Who did the Political Nation consist of?
The wealthy e.g. Aristocracy, Gentry ,Wealthy Lawyers, Merchants etc.
What do monarchs resort to due to the limited availability of subsidies?
Exploiting their prerogative income
What were the main sources of income for the Crown?
Crown Lands
Customs Duties
Feudal Dues
Parliamentary Subsidies
What are Crown Lands as a source of income for the crown?
King owned all of the land and rented or sold much of it to others at a fixed rate
What are Customs Duties as a form of income for the Crown?
Taxes from goods imported to the country as well as selling the right to temporarily collect taxes to raise funds quickly
What are Feudal Dues as a form of income for the Crown?
The Crown had to the right to control lands inherited by an heir under 21
What did parliamentary subsidies allow the parliament to have?
An element of control over the monarch and limit their absolutism
What did the monarch need the Political Nation for?
Control the general population and ensure central and local governments could func
What is local government?
Parliaments in a specific local area
What is a central government?
Parliaments within the capital
What were the Political nation responsible for?
Collecting taxes
Enforcing laws
Training the military
Conducting trials
Why was the English laws open to interpretation?
Because it was an unwritten constitution
During the periods 1500 - 1650, the population doubled. What issues did this cause?
Price Inflation
Food Shortage
Land Shortage
Unemployment
Reliance on state for poor relief
What is the ‘Great Chain of Being’?
Idea of an ordered society created by God, everyone should accept their place as it must not change
