Breadth Study 2 - Involving the Localities in Governance

Question 1

What was England made up of and how did it help the Monarch?

Answer 1

• England was made of councils (for each region)
• Helped to govern distant parts of the realm
• For example there were 6 counties in the North of England governed by the Council of the North and several western counties governed by the Council of Wales

Question 2

Why was regional division of councils often complicated?

Answer 2

• the crown had limited power over some of the nobles in the marcher regions (areas that bordered Wales and Scotland)
• Wales and Cornwall had their own language and were more likely to listen to local lords (quasi Kings)
• There were great differences between different regions

Question 3

During the period of 1485 - 1603, what did the Crown want to do with localities and what were the consequences?

Answer 3

• The crown wanted to forge stronger links between local and central government
• This caused friction in distant regions as they disliked outside interference in their politics, which could cause rebellion
• During this period, the extension of government led to an extension of royal justice such as Justices of the Peace

Question 4

When was the council of the north first established and what was it for?

Answer 4

• First created in 1472 (Edward IV)
• Used to govern the northern counties (such as Yorkshire)
• Control over this marcher region was important for royal control

Question 5

What caused the council to be re-established under Henry VIII?

Answer 5

• The pilgrimage of grace (revolt in Yorkshire spreading to other northern regions in 1536)
• Council was then re-established to retain royal control over the north

Question 6

What did the council of the north do?

Answer 6

• The crown appointed powerful nobles to run the council
• Their job was to keep the peace and extend royal justice to the marcher regions

Question 7

What were the main problems facing the crown in wales?

Answer 7

• Lawlessness (Wales had its own laws such as the allowance of blood feuds)
• Disorder: The country was split between crown lands and marcher lordships (Quasi Kings)

Question 8

When and why did Cromwell transform Wales through the Law in Wales Act?

Answer 8

• Between 1536 - 1543
• Government transformed through Cromwell’s reforms
• Cromwell realised that better government would only be achieved through a uniform system of justice

Question 9

What did the Law in Wales Act implement?

Answer 9

• The welsh were forced to adopt English law, speech and customs
• two MPs for each welsh county
• English had to be spoken in Welsh parliament
• Justices of the peace sent to each county to maintain order