AS FP1, HVII government : Local / regional government

Question 1

How far did Henry centralise Royal Authority in the provinces?

Answer 1

• He exploited crownlands efficient management extended authority for the King in more parts of the country and increased income he received in rent.
• Encouraged more use of the Royal Council
• Use of Justices of the peace, increasing their power.

Question 2

What were the justices of the peace?

Answer 2

They were amateur, unpaid, crown appointed, crown controlled, crown rewarded local authorities - often gentry, landowners, squires etc.
King was dependant on them for maintenance of the law.

Question 3

What was the extent of the king’s control over the JPs?

Answer 3

• He could threaten to remove them from their positions of power if they did not follow his command ; this was seen as social disgrace.
• They were crown rewarded, therefore Henry could give them prestige or patronage.
• Under the system that grievances against the Justices could be taken to an Assize Judge or the King, Henry was dependant on the goodwill of his officials.
• Henry often resorted to financial pressure to resolve disputes.

Question 4

What were some of the roles of the JPs? Give DATES.

Answer 4

• Defence of public order, e.g riots, illegal retaining, extortion, gambling etc
• Implementing social and economic statues, such as wage regulating.
• **1485 **: Given the right to question and arrest poachers.
• 1495: given the power to replace suspect members of juries, act in cases of non-capital offences without a jury and reward their informers. This affected the nobility who would put men they’d retained on juries to sway a ruling in their favour.

Question 5

What were some problems that Henry faced through his use of JPs?

Answer 5

Disputes between nobles and JPs.