B1- Nobility Disorder/Stability Flashcards
How far do you agree that 1399-1504, the power of the nobility was a source of disorder rather than stability in the kingdom?
Paragraph 1- Agree because of usurpations, huge threat to king’s authority, P2- Agree because of popular rebellions and the funding they gave to it, P3- assisted in foreign wars and quashed rebellion P4- You could put about their roles in an extra paragraph
P1- Agree because of usurpations
Henry Bolingbroke usurped the throne from Richard II , open to criticism and potential judgement of his subjects. It was now clear to all nobles that an unpopular king could be ousted by an ‘over-mighty subject’ provided he had sufficient military support. very public precedent for a king to be removed because he was unpopular and incompetent. Edward IV was able to take power with a large retinue, removing Henry VI. This was short-lived as Henry’s readeption was brought about by another powerful noble, Richard Neville. MOREOVER NEVILLE PERCY REVEALED WEAKNESS OF KING york Henry VI
P1- analysis
This demonstrates how nobles had significant power and were such a high political threat that they could remove a king from his position, regardless of hereditary right ordained by God. They played an active role in deciding who should become king and enforcing it, meddling in the political upheaval that fuelled the battles of the Wars of the Roses and continued it. Without their interference, the challenge to authority would not be as large and the realm would be a lot more stable
P2- popular rebellions and the funding they gave to it, Hotspur
1403 Hotspur’s rebellion ‘Henry Percy King’ with his uncle the earl of Worcester. In Cheshire, they issued proclamations against Henry IV, claiming their allegiance to Richard II. Numerous territories and responsibilities in the border areas of Wales and Scotland so he had an almost complete monopoly on military and political pwer in North Wales and the East March, which were areas crucial to the ongoing security of the Lancastrian regime. led to the Battle of Shrewsbury
P2 Southampton
Southhampton Plot in 1415. The leaders were the third earl of Cambridge, Henry Scrope of Masham and Sir Thomas Grey. The Earl of Nothumberland also got involved, as well as Scottish and Welsh rebels + Lollards. This shows how many rebelling aspects of Henry V’s reign were coordinated and created a loss of order in the kingdom, since begrudgements were being acted upon, facilitated by nobles.
P3- Warbeck
Warbeck- Sir William Stanley. Chamberlain of England so had a very high level of responsibility within the kingdom, and he was the brother of Henry’s own stepfather, Sir Thomas Stanley. Most importantly of all, Staleny’s support has been crucial to Henry at the Battle of Bosworth, according to one chronicle he presented crown to Henry on the battlefield. Disloyalty especially concerning, as he had a strong military power and could muster very large numbers of troops. King james of Scotland got involved. Warbeck 1490, gaining support from the French King, Margaret of Burgundy and James IV of Scotland, who arranged the pretender to marry his cousin. Warbeck tried to invade 3 times, raised a rebel army of a few thousand and besieged city of Exeter, though failed. Gained the very public support of Maximilian, King of the Romans, whom he visited in 1493, also began to gain supporters close to Henry at the English court e.g. Sir William Stanley
P3- Simnel
Simnel 1486. Henry shaky legitimacy as Edmund tudor rumours blood-uncle of wile Margaret so forbidden by canon law if case and mother Lady Margaret Bbeaufort was a descendant of John of Gaunt from his mistress. Earl of Warwick was the grandson of Richard d York who had been popular in Ireland since his 1447 lieutenancy. Battle of Stoke June 1487. Highlighted the fragility of Tudor claim on the throne. 1486 Simnel Conspiracy- supported by Yorkists and Irish + Margaret of Burgundy, who provided 200 men. Weak claim to the throne already so this was politically dangerous, fragility of the Tudor claim on the crown. Irish crowned Simnel king in a ceremony in Dublin 1487, a parliament was held in his name and new coins were minted with his image upon them. Warwick’s first cousin John de la Pole, earl of Lincoln, declared that Simnel was the real Warwick. 4 June, supporters of Simnel invaded England, backed by approx. 2000 German mercenaries and 4000 Irish light infantry.
P3 Disagree
They had large retinues, developed substantially by bastard feudalism, so were able to assist in foreign wars, as well as quash rebellions. The liverymen of nobles who were loyal to the king could prove highly beneficial to a monarch in helping to put down uprisings, as Henry VII discovered 1487 Simnel rebellion. Able to squash Hotspur and Glyndwr rebellion due to military support Henry IV
Henry VII got greater control over nobles through bonds
Henry VII formulated a novel method for resolving this problem, passed a statute in 1504 that lords had to receive written permission in the form of a licence from the king to retain men and to provide a list of retainers for his approval. Those who disobeyed this law were liable to be fined, and certainly enormous sums were levied on those who retained men illegally.
P4- roles helped govern kingdom effectively
