4 - English Society Flashcards
What was the feudal system?
Medieval hierarchical structure of society, built upon bastard feudalism relationships in which land was held in return for service
Was the feudal system still present during reign of Henry VII?
Partially
- Still a hierarchy with monarch at top
- Hierarchy was becoming less restrictive (more social mobility)
What is social mobility?
Movement of individuals between levels of the societal hierarchy
Why was social mobility increasing under Henry VII?
- Triggered by economic issues caused by Black Death (English population almost halved - people had to increase social mobility to fill employment + save economy)
- After this point social mobility began + was growing under Henry VII
What class was particularly growing under Henry VII?
Gentry/professional class
What was the opinion of the public regarding social mobility?
- Lower ranking public: liked, less trapped at bottom of hierarchy
- Higher ranking public: disliked, liked being at top
How did higher ranking individuals try to reduce social mobility?
Tried to implement (but failed to strictly enforce) SUMPTUARY LAWS (social status displayed via outfit to reduce social mobility)
What was bastard feudalism?
Reciprocal relationship between magnate + retainers
- Magnates gain: military service
- Retainers gain: land/payment/office
Who coined the term ‘bastard feudalism’? Why?
Victorians - thought it was an abusive system
Outline the social hierarchy under Henry VII
KING AT TOP
CHURCH
- Pope (not in England)
- Cardinals (not in England)
- Archbishops (Canterbury + York)
- Bishops
- Parish priests/lower clergy
REST OF SOCIETY
- Nobility
- Gentry
- Higher commoners (yeomen, rural, + merchants/craftsmen/professionals, urban)
- Lower commoners (labourers/shopkeepers that work for others)
- Lowest commoners (vagrants/beggars)
Who were the nobility?
Societal group made up of people who held one of the five ranks of aristocracy: Duke, Earl, Viscount, Baron, Marquis. They were highest on the social hierarchy, holding considerable land, power (in House of Lords) + influence (over actions of retainers)
How many nobles were there under Henry VII?
50-60 noble families
Who were the peerage?
Another term for the nobility
Was the nobility closed caste (were they stuck at that level)?
No
- Could change as favour of King was gained/lost
Did Henry VII create a lot of new nobles? Why?
No - mistrusting towards individuals with that much power
How did Henry curb the power of the nobility?
- Didn’t create many new nobles
- Carrot methods: Patronage (e.g. members of King’s Council + Privy Chamber), Prestige (e.g. Order of the Garter), Reversed Acts of Attainder (returning seized land)
- Stick methods: Bonds + recognisances (limiting finances), Acts of Retainer (limiting men), Acts of Attainder (limiting land)
Give an example of Henry VII’s reluctance to grant new noble titles
No. Of Earls Made:
- Ed IV: 9
- Henry VII: 1
Give some examples of nobles under Henry VII
- Earl of Northumberland (Yorkist - Loyal to Henry)
- Earl of Oxford (Lancastrian - Loyal to Henry)
- Sir William Stanley (Not loyal to Henry)
Who were the gentry?
Societal group just below nobles, who played different roles depending on prestige but were increasingly depended upon by Henry VII
What were the two general categories of gentry?
- ‘Greater gentry’
- Esquires + ‘mere gentry’
Who were the greater gentry?
- Part of the elite part of society, alongside nobles (big income + land)
- Often had coat of arms
- Often sought knighthoods to confirm high status
- Role was serving the King, often through administration (e.g. JPs) + fighting for King
Who authenticated a coat of arms?
College of Arms
Who were the esquires + mere gentry?
- Lower ranking gentry, more similar to the higher commoners (yeomen, merchants, craftsmen, professionals) than nobles, (live modestly)
What percentage of the population was made up of nobles + gentry?
Approx 1%
