a7) government Flashcards
what was a magnate?
A member of the higher ranks of the nobility.
what was the privy chamber?
Comprising of the close personal servants of the monarch- members had direct access to the monarch and so could influence them more directly.
est after betrayed by Sir William Stanley.
what was a bureaucrat?
An official in a gov department, in particular one perceived as being concerned with procedural correctness at the expense of people’s needs.
lord chamberlain
AKA the Chamberlain- experienced nobleman and member of King’s council, and a personal friend of the king- had administrative and political power, often speaking for the monarch in an official capacity, was responsible for organising court ceremonies.
what was a courtier?
Person who attends a riyal court as a companion or advisor to the monarch.
what was a chamber?
Private areas of the court- a key for the efficient collection of royal revenues.
what were prerogative rights?
Rights or powers which the monarch could exercise without requiring the consent of parliament.
how big was h7’s council & what were its functions?
Ruled with a council of advisors who supported him in importnant decisions.
227 men recorded to have attended, but actual working council was closer+ smaller- around 6 or 7 members.
Three main functions:
- Advise the King
- Administer the realm on the King’s behalf
- Make legal judgements
what were the main types of councillor?
1) MEMBERS OF THE NOBILITY such as Lords Daubeney and Dynham, though the working council rarely included the great magnates of the realm.
2) CHURCHMEN such as John Morton and Richard Fox, who often had legal training and were skilled administrators.
3) LAYMEN, either gentry or lawyers, who were skilled administrators, such as Sir Reginald Bray and Edmund Dudley. Dependence on lawyers started before H8- played signif role in ‘2nd reign’ of Edward IV from 1471, so the trend was becoming increasingly evident.
who was sir reginald bray?
Faithful servant of H Tudor- had helped H to raise funds w before BoB.
Had influence as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
He led the Council Learned in Law, more powerful than most nobles.
Died 1503.
who was john morton?
Highly able Churchman and lawyer- began career as a passionate Lancastrian but made peace with the Yorkists to serve Edward IV- under whom he became the Bishop of Ely.
But worked against R3 and H promoted him for his services to Archbishop of Canterbury in 1486. Also became Cardinal in 1493.
how did the council work?
No established rules or procedures but was a permanent body with a core membership.
Sometimes members met separately to deal w key administrative/ legal concerns w/o the king present/ when H w other councillors elsewhere- esp ‘proffesional’ councillors (eg. Bray and Dudley) who did not see themselves as courtiers.
Importance of the council depended on its key members and its offshoot- the council learned.
Not essential to hold office as councillor to influence eg,. Lady M Beaufort held no office yet v influential
what was the great council?
Gathering of HoL without HoC.
No clearly defined functions.
Occasional rather than permanent body.- met only 5 times in H7’s reign.
Usually concerned w issues of war, rebellion, a means of binding the nobility to key decisions relating to nat security.
what was the duchy of lancaster?
Signif body of property, mostly situated in Lancashire- personally belonged to the King but was formally the territory of the the duke- H7’s habit to grant positions of authority within the duchy to most trusted servants.
who was sir richard empson?
Member of K’s council from 1494- eventually chaired the Council Learned.
Closely indentified w increasing ruthlessness of H7’s regime.
Arrested shortly after death of H7, charged w treason and executed in 1510.
who was edmund dudley?
Came to prominence after death of Bray.
STEVEN GUNN- role was to exploit financial oppurtunities- gave him ample opp to make influential enemies- so became vulnerable to counter-attack after lost K’s protection- became accountable for what had been the king’s demands- executed 1510 w/ SRE.
what was the council learned (in law)?
Main offshoot if the council.
Developed in 2nd half of reign- under Bray at DoL- formed a ‘specialist board’ (-his. John Guy).
Seen as secretive operation by his.- not a recognised court of law - those summoned had no chance to appeal.#
His. Thomas Penn- caused fear, fustration and anger, as BYPASSED THE NORML LEGAL SYSYTEM.
what was the fuction of the council learned?
To MAINTAIN H’s revenue and EXPLOIT his prerogative rights- made system of bonds and recognises work so well + entrap many of H’s subjects.
An expression of the K’s will- as imp for maintainance of his authority as it was for the raising of finances.
How did SRE and ED work together?
SRE was an associate of Bray’s.
After Bray’s death in 1503, joined by ED- formed fierce force of able and consientous bureaucrats- raised extraction of money from K’s subjects to a fine art.
Created mny enemies- their downfall brought rejoycing to the streets- shows how unpop their financial control ws in final years of reign.
Why was the Royal Court so important?
- relied heavily on
- always found where the king was- the focus of personal- monarchy and a place for royal ceremony- where the power of the monarch was demonstrated to courtiers in attendance- through the court that rewards and status were distributed to those deserving (or just well connected)
What was PERSONAL MONARCHY
- idea from medievil, where political power and influence of the individual depended more on their relationship w the monarch than on any specific office they might have held
What was the HOUSEHOLD PROPER?
- responsible for looking after king, the courtiers, guests often being entertained - these personal and catering requirements were supervised by the lord steward.
How many times did Henry call parliament during his reign?
- 7 times
- 5 of these met in first 10 years of his reign- last 2 in last 14 years- reflects H’s increasingly secure position on the throne- good at getting rid of oppositions.
- NOT in CONTINUOUS SESSION- most only lasted a few weeks (70 weeks in total), long periods between each calling
egs: 1485, 1487, 1489,1491, 1495, 1497, 1504.
What act did Parliament enact in 1485?
-Granted H tonnage and poundage (customs revenue) for life- a well- est procedure in the care of new kings by 1485
