Changes in governance at the centre - The role of the monarchy, nobility and gentry in Tudor England Flashcards

1
Q

What was Tudor society based on?

A

A heirachy, God was at the top, the monarch was below God but could rule as they wished because they were chosen by God

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2
Q

What were monarchs like in the Tudor period?

A

They had no standing army or police force so were reliant on the nobility and gentry to keep law and order - a wise monarch controlled them but also listened to them

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3
Q

What were relationships like between the monarch and the nobility before Henry VII came to the throne and during his reign?

A

Some nobles joined or led rebellions against the monarch. Henry Tudor had been a member of the nobility himself who was able to defeat the king.

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4
Q

How did noble challenges change throughout the Tudor period?

A

They continued in the early years of Henry VII’s reign but became less frequent under Henry VIII and his children

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5
Q

Who were the nobility?

A

Groups of men who heled the highest titles below the king such as duke, earl or viscount. There were 40-60 men with these titles under the Tudors.

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6
Q

How did the population of England grow throughout the Tudor period?

A

Grew from just over 2 million in the 1500s to over 4 million by 1600.

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7
Q

How did the nobles see themselves?

A

As the natural friends, advisers and military leaders of the monarch as they relied on the monarch to protect their lands and property while the monarch also relied on them.

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8
Q

How many gentry families were there below the nobility?

A

5000 gentry families made up of knights and esquires. In 1490, 375 men held the title of knight and they were called Sir. This rose to 600 by 1558. Declined to 550 by 1603.

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9
Q

What role did the gentry have in the Tudor period?

A

They were increasingly involved in local government but were landowners as well but had less extensive states than the nobility.

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10
Q

How was it possible to gain or lose status/rank in Tudor society?

A

Could rise through the ranks through service to the king, marriage or inheritance. Possible to lose rank through political miscalculation or economic hardship.

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11
Q

Who were yeomen?

A

Yeomen were prosperous farmers who tended to own their land. There were estimated to be 60,000 of these by 1600. Tended to be financially secure due to land ownership.

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12
Q

Who were artisans?

A

Skilled craftsmen who often lived in towns or larger villages. They became propserous in the wool or cloth industry which was the main English export.

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13
Q

What roles did yeomen and artisans have in rebellions in the earlier Tudor period?

A

In 1549, they provided leadership and shaped the demands of popular rebellion due to being better educated and being natural leaders of their communities.

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14
Q

How did the role of yeomen and artisans in rebellions change in the later Tudor period?

A

They became less involved in rebellion as they became more involved in local government.

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15
Q

Who were the peasants?

A

The majority of England’s population who lived and worked in rural communities and worked on the land for the local landlord for wages. They didn’t own land but relied on it.

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16
Q

What were peasants vulnerable to?

A

Social and economic changes - poor harvests, epidemics of disease and price and rent increases

17
Q

How big were the peasants as a population group?

A

Abotu 2/5 of the English population were living on the margns of subsistence - any social/economic crisis would push them to hardship, anger or rebellion

18
Q

Who were vagrants/beggars?

A

People who roamed the countryside. They were feared because they had no masters and were supposed to be under control of social superiors. They spread rumours and dangerous ideas. Harshly treated.

19
Q

What made the relationship between the monarchy and the government good?

A

When the monarch allowed advice from the government on policy decisions.

20
Q

What was an example of a desirable monarch?

A

Someone who was competant, an adult and a male - it was assumed that women were incapable of ruling on their own

21
Q

What duty did the monarch have to England?

A

To protect their country from invasion, protect the rights and priviledges of their subjects and to not rule exactly how they pleased.

22
Q

What curbed the powers of the monarch?

A

Magna Carta and the development of other branches of government like parliament and the Royal Council

23
Q

What happened to monarchs that ignored government?

A

Richard II and Richard III had been labelled as tyrants and had been overhtrown

24
Q

What more informal bodies emerged in 1485 that could help or hinder the monarch rule?

A

Royal court and the Privy Chamber from Henry VIII’s reign. More formal institutions also like the council, the financial and judicial systems.

25
Q

Where was government located?

A

Privy Chamber and Court located away from London. Council and financial and judicial systems in London.

26
Q

What was the Royal Court?

A

Served the monarch, followed the monarch. Important for display and entertainment. Informal source of power. Those who wanted power or influence went to the court.

27
Q

Why was the Royal Court important?

A

Important for display - allowed monarchs to emphasise their power and wealth to important visitors through tournaments and plays

28
Q

What was the role of the Royal Household?

A

Where the monarch and his family were served by a range of people who moved about the country with them. Responsible for domestic needs. Criticised for being large and costly - attempts to reduce it.

29
Q

What is an example of an attempt to reduce the size of the Royal Household?

A

Thomas Wolsey issued the Eltham Ordianances in 1526 to try to achieve a reduction in cost but was unsuccessful due to not having sufficient control over the king

30
Q

What was the role of the Privy Chamber?

A

The monarch’s living arrangements structured in a way that access to them was closely controlled. Ensured the monarch had privacy. Great Hall used for feasting. Guard Room (watching chamber) used for visitors to pass. The presence chamber was properly private where king lived.