Chapter 2: Henry VII's Government

Question 1

What was the structure of the Council?

Answer 1

• 240 members, 6/7 attend regularly
• Permanent body with no established procedures
• Some members met separately to discuss legal or administrative issues

Question 2

Who were involved in the council?

Answer 2

• Nobles - e.g. Lord Daubney
• Churchmen - often had legal training - e.g. Morton, Fox
• Laymen - gentry, lawyers - e.g. Bray, Dudley

Question 3

What was the purpose of the council?

Answer 3

• Advise the king
• Administer realm on king’s behalf
• Make legal judgements

Question 4

Who was a non councillor but still advised the king?

Answer 4

• Lady Margaret Beaufort - mother

Question 5

What was the council learned?

Answer 5

• Maintain revenue, exploit prerogative rights, sorted bonds and recognisances
• Not a recognised court of law - no appeal against it

Question 6

Who initially led the council learned?

Answer 6

• Sir Reginald Bray

Question 7

What did the Council learned evolve to be?

Answer 7

• Bray died 1503 - then led by Empson and Dudley
• Unpopular and hated
• Often made up debts to the king
• Both killed by Henry VIII

Question 8

What was the Court the focus of?

Answer 8

• Personal monarchy - your power was dictated by how close you were to the king
• Spread rewards and status
• Could gain support of king or other influences

Question 9

How was Court structured in 1485?

Answer 9

• Household proper - look after king, courtiers guests - Lord Steward
• Chamber - Lord Chamberlain

Question 10

How did the court change in 1495 and why?

Answer 10

• Privy chamber - private area for king and only close and trusted advisers
• After betrayal of William Stanley - Lord Chamberlain

Question 11

How was Parliament structured?

Answer 11

• Met infrequently
• House of Lords was more important than commons

Question 12

What could parliament do?

Answer 12

• Raise taxes
• Pass laws

Question 13

How often did Henry use parliament?

Answer 13

• 7 times
• 5 in first 10 yrs
• 2 in later 14 yrs

Question 14

What was regional government like?

Answer 14

• Run by nobility
• Post war of the roses - magnates only powerful in north - Stanley in NW, Northumberland in NE until 1489 when surrey was released and served loyally
• Council of north and others in Wales, Ireland etc

Question 15

What was local government like?

Answer 15

• Run by JPs - unpaid local gentry
• Met 4 times a yr - delivered judgements on disputes, administration (tax, law, order etc)

Question 16

What were examples of ordinary revenue?

Answer 16

• Crown lands - profits from estates pwned by monarch
• Feudal dues - demand money from nobility e.g. wardship (1487 £350 –> 1507 £6000 a year)
• Customs duties - tax on imports & exports
• Legal dues - fines & payments from those appearing in kings courts

Question 17

What were examples of extraordinary revenue?

Answer 17

• Bonds and recognisances - payments made as guarantees of good behaviour
• Loans and benevolences - ask for financial aid in emergencies (1491 £48,000 raised for war in Brittany)
• Clerical taxes - tax from church and selling church posts (£300 from selling Archdeacon of Buckingham post)
• Parliamentary taxes - one off grants from parliament (caused rebellions 1487+9)

Question 18

How was money collected by the Exchequer?

Answer 18

• Collect revenue from royal property, taxes, customs
• Used a network of royal officials
• Accurate system people were used to
• Slow - mostly paper records not cash

Question 19

How was money collected by the chamber?

Answer 19

• Same function
• Under direct supervision of the crown
• Used officials - ensure most profit from royal estates
• Direct control over system
• Ready supply of money
• Faster system