Assess the contribution of the nobility in maintaining order and stability during the years 1485- 1603.

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

• Nobility helped to maintain order and stability through constraints e
E.g. nobles provided stability in government at court
- Upheld the law and provided the militia.
• As the Tudors had no police, standing army relied on nobles to provide militia.
• But communication links across the realm were poor - nobles could go rogue which led to degrees of instability in the regions.
• Church, monarchy, propaganda, parliament and JPs also helped to maintain stability.

Question 2

Church

Answer 2

• Pope supported the monarch.
E.g. anyone who fought against Henry at Stoke and Blackheath was threatened with excommunication.
• Sanctuary, denied to traitors and rebels by Henry’s judges, Pope made no objection.
• Henry VIII’s divorce and the break with Rome did not weaken church – crown relations. (tension removed now Henry had absolute authority.)
• However political status of the church declined throughout the period.
E.g. Elizabeth expected her bishops to reside in their dioceses and not engage in high politics.
• Church’s role in helping the poor to keep them from rebelling - administering poor relief and tackling social problems.
• Sermons helped to shape public opinion and ensure people were kept informed of government policies.
E.g. 1549, Cranmer circulated copies of his sermons encouraging people to obey.
• Had to preach at least four times a year on the subject of obedience.

Question 3

Strength of monarchy

Answer 3

• The forces of the crown deterred rebels.
• Use of the Law- acts of attainder, treason laws under Henry VIII & Elizabeth I
• Although nobility, gentry and clergy played an important role in both central and local government, their willingness to support the Crown depended on the monarch’s personality and capability.
• As seen in the large number of rebellion from 1485 to 1509 and again from 1547 to 1588 = shows strong monarch = stability.
• Punishment & retribution

Question 4

Use of propaganda

Answer 4

• Propaganda kept people in their place.
E.g. deference, custom, hierarchy.
• Respect for the Monarchy, stressed relationship between subject and master and need to keep one’s place in society.
E.g. Tudor Rose, Henry majestic court, coins etc to remind subjects.
• Great Chain of Being a very effective suppressor of rebellion.
• Sin against the monarch is sin against God.
E.g. propaganda in PoG reminding the rebels of this fact to try to deter them from rebelling - kept it peaceful?
• Henry VII and Elizabeth both toured the country – presence of monarch maintains stability.
• Less so with Edward (Sickly boy). Also with Mary – wasn’t popular.
• Commons unwilling to rise up and fight the crown.
E.g. Yorkist 1536 - reason why they dispersed.
- Why Northumberland failed 1553: Mary the rightful heir.
• Loyalty towards the Tudors also explained failure of Oxfordshire & Essex.

Question 5

Role of nobility

Answer 5

• Nobility maintained order etc. - means of control on the ground.
- Along with Lords Lieutenants, Lords Presidents, sheriffs, JPs.
• Monarchs needed to have a good relationship with the nobility – get kinsmen in key positions
E.g. Butlers of Ormonde in Ireland, Elizabeth used Hunsdon in the North in the 1570s.
• Nobles could be a controlling influence.
E.g. Lord Derby during the PoG
• Nobility did not always maintain order - could be a source of instability
E.g. Kildare, Percy’s, Essex.

Question 6

Points

Answer 6

Nobility
Use of propaganda
Strength of monarchy
Church 
Parliament
JPs

Question 7

Parliament

Answer 7

• Noble involvement in rebellion declined - voice their opinions in the commons. Make changes through parliament rather than rebelling.
• Nobles who rebelled were tried by their peers.
E.g. Hussey, Darcy, Suffolk, Northumberland, Essex all tried and convicted for making wars against the Crown.
• Henry VIII and Cromwell implemented religious and political reforms through Parliament, to ensure minimal resistance.

Question 8

JPs

Answer 8

• Contribution grew rapidly over period - 1485, most counties less than 10 JPs, end of the 16th century, most counties had over 50
• Wolsey appointed non-Northerners to several Northern counties between 1513 and 1525 to ensure greater stability in the region.
• Edward, Mary and Elizabeth changed JPs in particular counties for religious reasons
• Between 1536 and 1539, nearly 1/3 of JPs in areas affected by the Pilgrimage of Grace were replaced.
• It seems that the government was holding JPs particularly responsible - demonstrates importance.
• 1536, JPs joined the rebels, and whilst this may be representative of the government’s ability to maintain stability without JPs, it actually gave the rebels a large boost as it significantly reduced the opposition they faced.