1.1) Governance of England in 1445 Flashcards
How England was governed in 1445, these will obviously change over time as nobles revolt and monarchs change rules.
What is Divine Right?
The monarch has been appointed by God and deposing the monarch would be defying God.
What were the 4 components to how England was governed?
1)The monarch
2)The nobility
3)The king’s household
4)Parliament
How did the monarch govern the realm?
-Decided when Parliament sat (met up)
-Could reward subjects with patronage
-Decided what to do with realms resources
-Decided whether to go to war or not
-Choosing what relations to go after (e.g foreign policy)
Why did people not directly criticise the monarch and who would they criticise instead?
Go against the king publicly would result in death so people would criticise their advisors instead.
What are JP’s and what is their role?
Justices of the Peace maintained public order and heard criminal cases in public courts.
What were the Sheriff’s role?
Bringing defendants to court, assembling juries and carrying out verdicts.
Name the order of the most important courts in England.
1)Court of the King’s Bench
2)Court of Assizes
3)Public court
What was the role of the nobility in helping govern England?
-Enforce the law
-Support the King with men for his army
-Advised the monarch (either in a council or personally)
If there was a serious outbreak/rebellion, what could a monarch do to determine who is guilty and punish them?
An Oyer/Terminer.
How often were cases resolved in public courts?
Quarterly
What could the nobility do if they thought that the monarch was weak or unable to rule efficiently?
-Act outside the law (legal system would not work)
-Start a rebellion to put them or someone else on the throne
How much of the population did the nobility and gentry make up?
3%
How did the nobility and gentry make their money?
Land and trade
What was the ranking of nobility?
1)Duke
2)Marquis
3)Earl
4)Viscount
5)Baron
What were the rankings of gentry?
1)Knights
2)Squires
3)Gentlemen
What were nobles that were close blood relatives of the monarch sometimes known as?
Magnates
What was the benefit of being a more senior noble?
The monarch was expected to take more advice from you than other nobles.
When were noble councils set up to rule the country?
-During times of crisis
-When a monarch was too young to rule on their own
What was the king’s household?
-Looked after the king, such as feeding or clothing him
-People who were part of the household had influence with the monarch
Who was in charge of the king’s household?
The Lord Chamberlain
What was parliament’s role in governing the country?
-Not called regularly and only when the monarch requested
-Normally to provide the monarch with money (e.g taxes)
-Monarch had to have consent from parliament to pass laws or raise taxes
What are the 2 parts of parliament?
1)House of Commons
2)House of Lords
Who made up the House of Commons?
Representatives from shires and towns
Who made up the House of Lords?
Nobility, Gentry and religious figures (e.g bishops)
What was Henry VI like?
-Kind and gentle
-Deeply religious man
-Quite weak in ruling and controlling nobles
-Regularly ill
-Did not go with army into battle
Who was Henry VI’s parents?
King Henry V and Catherine of Valois
