Chapter 2: Henry VII's Government Flashcards
1
Q
What was the structure of the Council?
A
- 240 members, 6/7 attend regularly
- Permanent body with no established procedures
- Some members met separately to discuss legal or administrative issues
2
Q
Who were involved in the council?
A
- Nobles - e.g. Lord Daubney
- Churchmen - often had legal training - e.g. Morton, Fox
- Laymen - gentry, lawyers - e.g. Bray, Dudley
3
Q
What was the purpose of the council?
A
- Advise the king
- Administer realm on king’s behalf
- Make legal judgements
4
Q
Who was a non councillor but still advised the king?
A
- Lady Margaret Beaufort - mother
5
Q
What was the council learned?
A
- Maintain revenue, exploit prerogative rights, sorted bonds and recognisances
- Not a recognised court of law - no appeal against it
6
Q
Who initially led the council learned?
A
- Sir Reginald Bray
7
Q
What did the Council learned evolve to be?
A
- Bray died 1503 - then led by Empson and Dudley
- Unpopular and hated
- Often made up debts to the king
- Both killed by Henry VIII
8
Q
What was the Court the focus of?
A
- 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
9
Q
How was Court structured in 1485?
A
- Household proper - look after king, courtiers guests - Lord Steward
- Chamber - Lord Chamberlain
10
Q
How did the court change in 1495 and why?
A
- Privy chamber - private area for king and only close and trusted advisers
- After betrayal of William Stanley - Lord Chamberlain
11
Q
How was Parliament structured?
A
- Met infrequently
- House of Lords was more important than commons
12
Q
What could parliament do?
A
- Raise taxes
- Pass laws
13
Q
How often did Henry use parliament?
A
- 7 times
- 5 in first 10 yrs
- 2 in later 14 yrs
14
Q
What was regional government like?
A
- 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
15
Q
What was local government like?
A
- Run by JPs - unpaid local gentry
- Met 4 times a yr - delivered judgements on disputes, administration (tax, law, order etc)
16
Q
What were examples of ordinary revenue?
A
- 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
17
Q
What were examples of extraordinary revenue?
A
- 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)
18
Q
How was money collected by the Exchequer?
A
- 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
19
Q
How was money collected by the chamber?
A
- 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
