4. Elites and Commoners Flashcards
What happened to the size of the nobility during the reign of Henry VIII?
The size of the peerage increased.
Most had achieved their rank as a result of successful royal service or a close family relationship to the king.
e.g. Henry’s brother-in-law Edward Seymour was promoted to the earldom of Hertford.
What happened to the power of the nobility during the reign of Henry VIII?
They were being brought more under the control of the monarch with some being executed for treason on the vaguest of charges.
e.g. The Duke of Buckingham in 1521
What was the role of the nobility during the reign of Henry VIII?
They were critical in the maintenance of local authority and the recruitment of royal armies.
How many people did Henry promote to Duke?
Two- Norfolk an Suffolk
Norfolk was restored the the title enjoyed by his father.
Suffolk was promoted as a result of his close relationship with the king.
How did Henry bestow land to his nobles?
He gave land to nobles to enable them to exert royal authority in particular areas.
Suffolk was given land in Lincolnshire after an uprising there in 1536.
John Baron Russel was raised to the peerage and endowed with land in Devon to exercise royal authority in the south-west.
What happened to the size of the gentry during the reign of Henry VIII?
The number of gentry increased
What was the role of the gentry during the reign of Henry VIII?
They were drawn into administration on behalf of the crown.
In the past, the crown’s local administrators had been clergymen.
This was changing to laymen whose office holding generated income, landownership and gentry status.
What happened to commoners during the reign of Henry VIII?
The rise in inflation lead to a drop in income.
Social status remained the same, with the majority of people without secure employment.
This threatened government as outbreaks of disorder were common.
