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England 1485-1603 > Chapter 1: Henry VII government and threats to his rule > Flashcards

Chapter 1: Henry VII government and threats to his rule Flashcards

1
Q

England in 1485

A
  • main threat was from France (also allied to Scotland)
  • law and order maintained locally by JPs
  • War of the Roses just ended (gone on since 1455) and had started due to weak king vs powerful nobles
  • throne had changed hands regularly from 1399
  • Henry had weak claim to throne and had been in excuse for 14 years in France (usurper) [hardly known in England]
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2
Q

Why was there unrest during Henry’s early reign?

A

Henry VII = usurper with a weak claim to the throne (mainly from mother)

He is a Lancastrian claimant so likely to be challenged by Yorkists

Politically weak

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3
Q

How did Henry attempt to secure his position?

A
  • dated start of his reign to day before Bosworth (those who fought against him = traitors and have estates seized - wealth)

arranged coronation for 30th Oct (day before Parliament met -> not be argued he is king bc of Parliament)

got papal dispensation to marry cousin Elizabeth of York (united houses of Lancaster and York and marriage = after coronation so crown not owed to wife)

removed Earl of Warwick and Earl of Lincoln (Richard’s nephews and therefore claimants to throne)

restored many earls to previous power - prevent rebellion

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4
Q

Causes of Lovell and Stafford rebellion

A
  • Lovell was attained and lost all land once Henry took crown
  • both were loyal to Richard and feared Henry would not give them local power
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5
Q

Nature of Lovell and Stafford rebellion

A

Location: York

Time: April 1486

Leadership: Sir Francis Lovell, Sir Humphrey Stafford and Stafford’s brother

Support: raised support in north and West Midlands (two regions to threaten king). Little local support and no foreign aid

Plan: rally north, seize York and capture king

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6
Q

What happened during Lovell rebellion?

A

20th April: Henry and army moved to York. Sir Richard Edgecomb (IMP.) sent to Pontefract

By 22nd rebels (including Lovell) had fled/ been bought off

3rd May: sanctions given to Stafford and followers pardoned

Humphrey was executed

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7
Q

Why was Lovell and Stafford rebellion a success and a threat to Henry?

A
  • managed to rally some troops and pose a small threat => within year of Henry taking crown so H politically weak and not well established
  • showed future rebels how to cooperate
  • Henry went straight to York (must have been threatened)
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8
Q

Why was Lovell rebellion a failure and no threat to Henry?

A

self-interest motives meant noble families remained loyal to king > no support

Henry personally responded quickly to threat (maintained military presence)

Followers fled quickly so rebellion never escalated into serious threat

Henry used little violence and pardoned rebels -> less chance of future rebellion BUT power of king shown/ asserted

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9
Q

Who did Lambert Simnel impersonate?

A

Edward, Earl of Warwick (nephew of Richard III and Edward IV)

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10
Q

Causes of Simnel rebellion

A

Earl of Lincoln (actual nephew of Richard and Edward) deserted aubrey and fled to France - stayed with Margaret of Burgundy

Lincoln knew Simnel was a pretender but believed Henry’s position to be weak and wanted to use LS to overthrow Henry

Simnel crowned Edward VI in Dublin => gave him power + strength to overthrow Henry

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11
Q

Nature of Simnel rebellion

A

Location: North (Stoke)

Size: 6000-8000 men

Time: June 1487

Leadership: John de la Pole (Earl of Lincoln) and Simnel posing as Earl of Warwick

Support: Margaret of Burgandy provided 2000 German mercenaries, Earl of Kildare provided Irish soldiers (serious foreign military support). Little English support [people want peace]

Plan: dynastic rebellion - overthrow Henry and restore York monarchy

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12
Q

What happened during Simnel rebellion?

A

Henry record intellgicnebif rebellion and raiser 12,000 man royal army led by Earls of Bedford and Oxford (v skilled). H also had support of nobles.

16th June: Battle of Stoke Field - hand to hand fighting in which volume of royal army led to H victory

6000 men died including Lincoln and other rebel leaders (Schwartz). Simnel was captured but Henry spared him

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13
Q

Was Simnel’s rebellion a threat?

A

Henry = present at battle and could have died (his army was engaged in hand to hand combat)

military foreign support from enemy of Henry (MofB)

threat pre-occupied Henry from Feb-May

Simnel crowned Edward VI -> gave rebellion status and Lincoln gave legit claim to throne)

Royal army= expensive

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14
Q

Why was Simnel’s rebellion not a threat?

A

limited English support due to Star Chamber Act, people wanting peace etc.

Henry reacted personally and quickly, raising a large, skilled army that defeated Simnel’s rebel army. Had support from nobles and gentry => personally maintained law & order

Simnel had no military experience and had expected more English support

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15
Q

What was Warbeck’s rebellion?

A

three separate uprisings in Deal (1495), Scotland (1495/6) and Cornwall (1497)

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16
Q

What happened in Warbeck’s rebellion?

A

1) Ireland 1491: Warbeck received no military support from the Irish
2) France 1491: Charles VIII and Henry settle their differences in the Treaty of Etaples so France gives no support
3) Netherlands 1492: MofB and Maximilian (HRE) give military support to Warbeck
4) Deal 1495: 150 rebels with experienced military captains land in Deal but are quickly killed as they come ashore. Warbeck flees.
5) Ireland 1495: Warbeck remains in Waterford
6) Scotland 1495/6: Warbeck is crowned prince and married to James VI relative. James provides 1500 troops [hostile army on N border] Invaded in Sept. 1496 but retreated v quickly. Truce of Ayton in July 1497 forced Warbeck to leave Scotland
7) Ireland 1497: Able to gain some support
8) Cornwall 1497: uses Cornish rebellion to raise more troops but with no noble support and Warbeck’s poor tactical judgement, he is quickly defeated and arrested in Oct.

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17
Q

Why was Warbeck a threat to Henry?

A

foreign support from HRE and MofB -> resources, military presence and capability

foreign support from Scotland -> given royal title = power, influence

Henry saw him as a threat (sent armies straight away)

Managed three invasions in England (albeit unsuccessful)

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18
Q

Why was Warbeck not a threat?

A

All three attacks failed due to lack of English support, lack of planning and Henry’s speed and skill at defending

Never engaged Henry in battle

By 1491-97 Henry was more stable in his position compared to 1486 when Lovell and Simnel attacked

Henry used foreign policy to make treaties and allies (overarching power)

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19
Q

Why were the nobility a problem?

A
  • War of the Roses meant nobles owned large amounts of land (therefore power) so had the ability to rise up
  • Henry needed the nobles & their loyalty following his excile (H’s dependency on them gave them power)
  • nobles could provide a force for a rebellion (military threat)
  • War of the Roses led to ‘Super nobles’
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20
Q

Henry VIII’s polices when controlling the nobility

A

‘Carrot and stick’

  • Order of the Garter
  • King’s or Great Council
  • Bonds or recognisances
  • Acts of Attainder
  • Limiting Retainers
  • Feudal rights
  • Restoration of crown lands
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21
Q

Order of the Garter

A

Order of knighthood. Highest order of knighthood

Effective as seen as a great honour so valued by people, gave prestige but not land/power & it was a social reward

Not effective as rewards gave people importance and influence -> could gain support for rebellion

Overall: EFFECTIVE

Economic

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22
Q

King’s/Great Council

A

Effective as membership was a sign of H’s trust (less likely to rebel if know they are valued) & nobles in council have to agree to policies (then difficult for them to criticise afterwards)

Not effective as lead to jealously & those not in council can easily criticise

Overall: EFFECTIVE

Political

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23
Q

Bonds and recognisances

A

written agreement where nobles who offended king either pay for offence or pay money as security for future good behaviour

Effective as discourage disloyalty (suns reach up to £10,000 -Marquess of Dorset- and money=power)

Not effective as some nobles were so rich threat of losing money not an issue

Overall: EFFECTIVE and severity increased over H’s reign (36/62 noble families involved) terrifying punishment

Economic

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24
Q

Acts of Attainder

A

Effective as damaging to families (lost right to possess land and caused social & economic ruin), good behaviour resulted in reversal & therefore encouraged good behaviour

Not effective: already been used (perhaps not worked??)

Overall: EFFECTIVE (severity increased over reign and conditions could be attached - threat of ruin enough to scare nobles into loyalty)

Social and economic

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25
Q

Limiting retainers

A

Limited nobles in recruiting own followers for local forces

Effective as reduced threat of nobility (less army to fight against king), Lords and Commons swore not to retain illegally, added to kings wealth as fines of up to £5 a month per retainer were put in place (1504 proclamation ensured licence needed to retain)

Not effective as retaining not abolished and nobles still legally allowed to retained (king has no standing army so vulnerable)

Overall: effective

Economic

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26
Q

Feudal rights

A

Effective as wardship (estates of minors under royal control and exploited), relief (payment to king when land inherited), marriage (exploit marriage of heirs) & livery (payment to king to recover land from wardship) all increased funds and asserted power

Not effective as did not really control nobility and may of made rebellion more likely (grow sick of interference from crown)

Economic

27
Q

Restoration of crown lands

A

Effective as 1486 Act of Resumption recovered land from before WofR and meant H could reward nobles w/ land from other nobles rather than from crowns land, increased land or crown by 5x (land = power and wealth)

Not effective as if H becomes too powerful and repressive it could lease to civil war, does not directly control nobles but makes H appear a threat

Overall: effective

Political

28
Q

How effectively does Henry control nobility?

A

Effectively: asserts royal dominance over nobles v early on and provides suitable rewards and punishments to keep nobles on his side

29
Q

Why was government weak in 1485?

A

War of the Roses

Power of nobility

Yorkists

30
Q

What makes government strong?

A

Loyalty, authority, money, law and order, organisation and efficiency

31
Q

What changes did Henry make to central government?

A

King’s Council (inner group chosen by king)

Court of Requests, Court of General Surveyors, Council Learned in Law (mainly from nobility/church)

He did not rely on particular failed but from lesser landowners and people of ability

Council Learned in Law (men with legal expertise in charge of land and rights, edited royal rights thoroughly enforced)

32
Q

How did the changes made to central government strengthen his position?

A

Council improved efficient and therefore strength of government (Lord Chancellor, Lord Privy Seal, Lord Treasurer etc. all attended)

Frequent meetings of courts kept H updated and increased efficiency & organisation so H was feared

men of ability increased finances and efficiency

Council Learned in Law maintained law&order, money, organisation and control and also caused hatred/fear of H

33
Q

Aims in controlling regional council

A 
Alliances 
Law and order 
Prevent invasion 
Maintain legitimacy 
Communication
34
Q

Effectiveness of controlling the north

A

Earl of Surrey provided new leader after death of Northumberland, Council of North produced administrative and judicial power so law was enforced quickly (closely monitored by London & H)

Effective as enforced royal will in north and maintained law and order. Council also appointed by H himself so maintain loyally to prevent uprising. controlled region that provides threat to H

35
Q

Effectiveness of controlling Wales

A

Wales was unruly during WofR (due to lack of effective rule from London) so H revived Council of Wales in 1493 under his son Arthur

Effective as increased control under son (direct royal connection in Wales) to maintain control and order. Reduced power of Marcher Lords so H = main leader. Welsh then complied

36
Q

Effectiveness of controlling Ireland

A

Direct English control was limited to the Pale (around Dublin) and otherwise Ireland controlled by Irish families (e.g Kildares). Poyning’s Law in 1494 meant Parliament could only pass law w/ approval of king

Not effective as many attempt to increase authority were limited and Law failed to bring council under control. Attempts were costly so H had to rely on Irish families.

37
Q

How was local government effectively managed?

A

JPs were unpaid (no £ loss) official who assured loyalty, controlled subjects and weakened power of greater nobles. implemented and enforced social and economic statues to control local people (local people controlling local people)

Nobility and gentry helped to enforce laws

38
Q

How was local government not effectively managed?

A

JPs were dependent on other officials to bring offenders to them (local officials usually reluctant = unpopular)

Henry was dependent on good will to enforce justice

39
Q

How important was Parliament?

A

Important to H: H could summon & dissolve when he wished (called for king when it benefited him). used to help establish and uphold law&order (Acts of Attainer, define responsibly of JPS)

Not important to H: limited role (only met 7 times during reign), brief meetings, H avoid asking for money due to risks of disagreement (e.g 1489&1497), poor communications and Parliament role filled by other courts

40
Q

To what extent did H change financial administration?

A

originally reverted back to Exchequer (v slow in collecting and auditing money)

reverted back to Chamber system in 1487: central role in mangaijg revenue, increased importance for Treasurer of the Chamber and officials. Gave H much tightest control of finances

41
Q

What is ordinary revenue?

A

came in yearly from :

Crown lands
Custom duties
Profits from justice
Feudal dues

42
Q

Crown lands

A

Act of Resumption (1486) & seizing land from traitors. Most important source

Effective: increased land of crown by 5x, maximised income (crown lands income rose by £13,000 over reign), did not agonise the nobility -> skilful management

43
Q

Custom duties

A

Not v effective: smuggling was an issue and income from trade depended on rel. between European powers (H unable to control), income dropped from £70,000 under Edward IV to £40,000

44
Q

Profits from justice

A

Not v effective: managed to exploited system & fine people for crimes BUT king often punished by fines not imprisonment (e.g Earl of Northumberland fined £10,000 for rape)

45
Q

Feudal dues

A

money paid to king from those who held land from him in return for avoiding military service

Effective: income rose from £350 per annum in 1487 to over £6000 in 1507, H was determined to enforce and exploit feudal rights

46
Q

What is extraordinary revenue?

A
  • not regular income and usually raised in times of need from taxation or in times of emergency from borrowing
parliamentary taxation 
loans
church 
feudal aid 
French pension
47
Q

Parliamentary taxation

A

Mildly effective: H carefully exploited taxation (carful not to misuse to minimise rebellion) and only asked for money in exceptional situations (e.g Simnel)

BUT amount collected varied and beverages successfully tapped the wealth of country

48
Q

Loans

A

Benevolences; forced loans that are not repaid

effective but not regularly used: income from loans varied/unstable (generated £203,000 but some had to be paired back), helped raise £48,500 for expedition against France

49
Q

Church

A

Effective: church made contribution when parliament granted king money (1489=> £25,000 for expedition to France),

H also used less justifiable methods (sold church offices) & made £6000 per annum

50
Q

Feudal aid

A

Effective: levied on special occasions (e.g knighting of Prince Arthur) -> brought in £30,000

51
Q

French Pension

A

negotiated as part of Treaty of Etaples

Effective: brought in annual income of £5000

52
Q

Causes of Yorkshire Rebellion

A

1489

TAXATION: H had increased extraordinary tax to raise money to aid Brittany in it’s struggle against France (Yorkshire do not care about France)

53
Q

Why was the rebellion successful?

A

the money for the Subsidy Tax was not collected (sign that North require strong royal authority)

54
Q

Why was the rebellion a failure?

A

easily crushed by royal army

rapidly dispersed

never escalated

55
Q

why was the rebellion a challenge for Henry?

A

Earl of Northumberland was killed as he tried to collect tax

Yorkshire: Yorkists - potential for rebellion to escalate and for Sir Edgremont to try and dethrone H

never collect tax - less money to aid Brittany

56
Q

Why was the rebellion not a challenge for Henry?

A

easily crushed by royal army

never escalated into anything substantial

H can send immediate response (prove loyalty)

Not against H (like Warbeck etc.) but against tax -> not a personal threat

57
Q

What were the causes of the Cornish Rebellion?

A

1497

Cornwall= fiercely independent with own language and parliament

  • did not want to pay new tax for issue that had little to do with them (defence of north against invasion from Warbeck and James IV)
58
Q

Why was the rebellion successful?

A

led by Lord Audley, Thomas Flamank (local lawyer) and Micheal the Blacksmith

able to generate much local support (army bigger than hastily diverted royal army)

15,000 supporters

managed ti march from Cornwall to Blackheath with very little opposition (collected more troops along the way) -> skill and determination, united opposition to royal policy

joined by some local gentry and clergy

  • Lord Audley experienced soldier
  • cross class support

never collected tax

59
Q

Why was the rebellion a failure?

A

Henry’s army numbered 25,000 when the rebellion reached Blackheath on 14th June 1497 -> outnumbered

lack of support from Kent

many rebels fled from Blackheath when it became clear that a battle would take place

60
Q

Why was the rebellion a challenge for Henry?

A

Henry was not prepared

  • preoccupied with Warbeck and Scotland
  • size and speed of rebellion caught him off guard
  • some level of local and gentry support = threat
  • broad support -> rebel tactics were underestimated by H -> poor actions by H

showed/ highlighted that people not prepared to fund campaigns to defend Tudor monarchy

marched to London from Cornwall (stronger, more powerful rebellion than just predicted)

61
Q

Why was the rebellion not a challenge for Henry?

A

defeated then in battle and hung/ executed the leaders (clear message sent to future rebels)

recalled army of 25,000 men quickly (he is king & has power to control nobility quickly and muster army => powerful)

never amounted to anything afterwards -> leaders executed

Henry use proper hands to raise support for himself

62
Q

Challenges shown by the two rebellions

A

show that extraordinary revenue was not always expected

finance = social and economic challenge

63
Q

Was H ever secure?

A

yes: threats to rule never great and people wanted to end instability, security measures & diplomacy ensured dynasty would survive
no: threat continued throughout reign (Edmund de la Pole, succession of Tudor dynasty dependent on survival of H VIII), faced threats during reign

England 1485-1603 (7 decks)

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