#6 Strengthening central and local government

Question 1

What successes did Henry have in strengthening central government?

Answer 1

1. On most occasions Henry relied on an inner group of the King’s Council to boost efficiency
2. Made practice of using smaller committees from within the Council more frequent, boosting efficiency
3. To exploit finances did not rely on particular families but instead lesser-men who were experts in property law and administration

Question 2

Who made up the inner group of the King’s Council?

Answer 2

1. Lord Chancellor, Morton
2. Lord Privy Seal, Fox
3. Lord Treasurer, Dynham

And five others

Question 3

Which extra committees did Henry establish within the Council?

Answer 3

1. A Court of Requests
2. A Court of General Surveyors
3. The Council Learned in the Law

Question 4

How did Henry fail in his changes of central government?

Answer 4

The Council Learned in the Law’s exploitation of royal rights made it hated

After 1504 and appointment of Empson and Dudley, enforcement became harsher, both executed by Henry VIII

Question 5

Overall judgement of success of central government?

Answer 5

Overall Henry improved efficiency

However also significant that his tight hold on finances caused such resentment as to threaten rebellion. This never occured, however, so still overall more a success

Question 6

What success did Henry achieve in strengthening regional government?

North - 3

Wales - 4

Ireland - 1

Answer 6

Developed Yorkist use of regional councils

1. Council of the North had administrative and judicial power so that the law could be enforced quickly
2. CHANGE Council of London closely watched Council of North and Henry ensured he chose all members ensuring greater loyalty and enforcement of royal will
3. Revived Council of Wales in 1493 under nominal head of Arthur and with the King’s Welsh connections and the death and loss of lands by a number of Marcher lords he increased control
4. Poynings’ Law 1494 - Irish parliaments could only be called and pass laws with prior approval of King

Question 7

What failures did Henry make in strengthening regional government?

Answer 7

Despite Poynings’ Law, Ireland still under a weak English grip beyond the Pale

1. Sir Poynings failed to bring Ulster under greater control
2. Too costly to bring Ireland under greater control, forced to rely on its rule trhough traditional families e.g. Earl of Kildare restored as Lord Deputy

Question 8

Overall judgement on success of strengthening control of regional government?

Answer 8

North greatly improved after Suffolk appointed deputy (would be loyal because feared Henry’s wrath), Welsh control improved under Arthur and with weakened Marcher lords, but Ireland remained a place of English weakness - significant given it was a Yorkist stronghold

Question 9

What successes did Henry achieve in strengthening local government?

Answer 9

1. Content trusting nobility and gentry to uphold the King’s peace as long as obeyed and upheld law - Shrewsbury in West Midlands and Lord Hastings in North Midlands
2. Imposed bonds on nobles and gentry who held offices with influence over the Justices of the Peace
3. Like Edward IV, Henry chose men from the second rank of landowners, meaning their loyalty was assured and further weakened the power of the greater nobles
4. Extended power of JPs

Question 10

Name the 8 ways Henry VII extended the power of the JPs

Answer 10

1. Implementing social and economic statutes
2. Disensing justice and trying criminal offenses
3. Upholding public order
4. Replacing suspect members of juries
5. Acting in cases of non-capital offenses without a jury
6. Rewarding informers
7. Arresting and questioning poachers
8. Empowered to grant bail

Question 11

How was Henry’s control of local government still limited?

Answer 11

1. Lacked paid officials in the localities to enforce his law, so still had to rely on nobility and gentry ^{_{(had ways and means of limiting their power though)}}
2. JPs still dependent on other officials bringing offenders to them - local officials reluctant to as it made them unpopular, and local offices frequently left unfilled

Question 12

Overall judgement on success of strengthening local government

Answer 12

Had more control over greater nobility through bonds, gained loyalty by choosing second-ranking nobility, extended power of JPs so made people increaingly willing to take on roles as gave them increased social prestige and status

BUT still very reliant on goodwill to enforce his law - corruption of local officials

Question 13

Was the infrequent calling of Parliament a weakness?

Answer 13

Not really

1. Other courts were fulfilling Parliament’s role e.g. Council Learned
2. Avoiding asking for money for war etc thus preventing unrest
3. Parliament used to pass Acts of Attainder, done more at the start and end of his reign