Changes in governance at the centre Flashcards
What was the role of monarchy, nobility and gentry in Tudor England?
How many nobility and how many gentry?
The monarch was in charge of running the country, including keeping law and order, protecting from foreign invasion. The monarch needed to be an adult, competent and preferably male. They needed to protect the rights of the people.
There were around 40-60 nobility and held about 10% of available cultivated land. The gentry were about 5,000 families who made up esquires and knights. They had to be called upon in times of war to provide an army as there was no standing army.
Analyse and evaluate the role of the nobility and gentry in Tudor England
It was a symbiotic relationship as the monarch needed the gentry and nobility to keep law and order and pay taxes for war. The gentry needed the monarch to protect their land and property. The gentry became increasingly involved in local governance.
Much continuity and not much change.
What was the Royal Court?
The Royal Court served the monarch; wherever the monarch was, the Court would follow. This was the inner circle of the monarch. The Court was also important for display in front of visitors. It was a place for the most powerful and wealthy, a place for marriages to be formed and status to be created.
Analyse and evaluate the Royal Council in Tudor England
The Court was a place to gain power, influence and patronage. It was important for the monarch to emphasise enormous power and wealth to important visitors, the Court allowed them to do this in elaborate and expensive displays, such as tournaments and plays.
There was not much change with regards to the Royal Council.
What was the role of the Royal Household?
The Household was usually responsible for the ruler’s domestic needs. Hundreds employed in kitchens, laundries and gardens. The household could grow or shrink.
Analyse and evaluate the Royal Household in Tudor England
Thomas Wolsey tried to reform the household with the Eltham Ordinances in 1526, this was unsuccessful as Wolsey did not have control over appointments.
However, the household did decline in importance and size.
What was the role of the Privy Chamber?
This was more of a physical place, served by the Household. The rooms were laid out to give privacy to the monarch. There was a Watching Chamber, a Presence Chamber and the truly Privy (private) Chamber.
Analyse and evaluate the Privy Chamber in Tudor England
The Privy Chamber grew in political importance during the Tudor era, a turning point was the betrayal of Henry VII’s chamberlain, Sir William Stanley. The Chamber finance became more controlled under Henry VII.
Changes in the structure and function of the Household 1485-1603?
The dry stamp became very very important and was controlled by the Household. Henry VIII was much less concerned than Henry VII (who signed everything by hand). Possession of the dry stamp gives great power to whoever has control of the stamp. This becomes very important in the 1540’s because Edmund Seymour and John Dudley had control of the stamp which influenced massively the succession and power after Henry VII died.
Analyse and evaluate the Household (then Privy Chamber) in Tudor England
The role of the Privy Chamber changed massively under Mary and Elizabeth as they were women. From 1559 it meant members of Elizabeth’s Household were also a part of her Council. From then on, politics and major decisions were determined through the formal channels of her Council, rather than through the informal route of chamber.
What was the role of the Royal Council/ under Henry VII
This was more of a formal body. The monarch chose who should be on their council. The council advised the monarch and helped with the day-to-day running of the country, acting as a judicial court when there were high-profile legal cases which could not be solved through normal law courts.
Henry VII - the Council was larger and more informal than Henry VIII’s Council, with over 200 men. Because Henry had been a usurper and lived in exile prior to taking the throne, he relied on his council a lot. Henry VII had five Great Councils between 1487 and 1502.
Analyse and evaluate how the Royal Council changed.
The role of the Council did change during this period, becoming increasingly formal and ‘professional’ in its role. Especially after 1540 due to Cromwells reforms. They were slow to implement at first but they were everlasting.
The reform of the Privy Council from Henry VII onwards
Henry VIII - Had a Council established for him by his father but Henry changed it quickly, with Wolsey becoming very powerful.
The role of the Royal Council changed considerably to the Privy Council. There was an attempt by Thomas Cromwell to reform and modernise the existing Council of the king. After the fall of Cromwell, the Privy Council turned itself into a ‘chief minister’. This resulted in the new members now doing work which had been previously done by Wolsey and Cromwell. This form of collective responsibility was established, excluding William Cecil - Elizabeth’s secretary.
Analyse and evaluate the Privy Council in Tudor England
There was a big change in the Royal Council/ Privy council over the time period. At the beginning of the Tudor era the Royal Council had no real image/use, but as time progressed, the Council grew smaller and smaller but bigger and bigger in importance.
Much change rather than continuity.
Changing relationship between the Privy Council and the monarch:
The Council became a permanent, small group of trusted advisers; the focus and work of their roles had also changed. This is because prior to the formation of the Council there could be a hundred or more people within the council, making it harder to debate policy and making it more expensive. After the reforms the relationship changed as now it is a much more tight knit close group.
