Chapter 2 - Henry VII's government Flashcards
Who were elites?
Select groups that are considered to be superior in terms of ability, birth or qualities to the rest of society.
Who did the king rule with?
A council of advisors who supported him in making key decisions.
How many men were recorded as having attended the council during Henry VII’s reign?
227
How many members did Henry’s council have in practice?
Around six or seven members
What were the three main functions of the council?
- to advise the King
- to administer the realm on the King’s behalf
- to make legal judgements
What were the three main types of councillor?
- Members of the nobility
- Churchmen
- Laymen
Why were churchmen in Henry’s council?
They often had legal training and were excellent administrators
Give two examples of members of the nobility who were part of Henry’s council?
Lords Daubeney and Dynham
Give two examples of churchmen who were members of Henry’s council?
John Morton and Richard Fox
Give two examples of laymen who were members of Henry’s council?
Sir Reginald Bray and Edmund Dudley
What types of laymen could be a part of Henry’s council?
Gentry or Lawyers
What is a magnate?
a member of the higher ranks of the nobility
Who was John Morton?
a highly able churchman and lawyer, Morton began his public career as a passionate Lancastrian, but made his peace with the Yorkists to serve Edward IV, under whom he became the Bishop of Ely. However, he worked against Richard III and was promoted for his services by Henry to Archbishop of Canterbury in 1486. He also became a cardinal in 1493.
Who was Sir Reginald Bray?
Bray had been a faithful servant of Henry Tudor for a long time, He had helped Henry to raise funds before the Battle of Bosworth. Under Henry’s reign his influence was exercised through his role as chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. He also led the Council Learned in Law. Thomas Penn described him as the ‘king’s chief executive’. As such he was more powerful than most nobles.
What was the Duchy of Lancaster?
a significant body of property, mostly but not exclusively situated in Lancashire, which personally belonged to the King but was formally the territory of the duke; Henry VII’s habit was to grant positions of authority within the duchy to his most trusted servants.
What did ‘professional’ councillors such as Bray and Dudley sometimes do?
They did not see themselves as courtiers so often met to deal with legal and administrative matters in London when other councillors were with the King elsewhere.
Who is sometimes argued to be Henry’s most influential advisor?
His mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort
What was the Great Council?
It was a gathering of the House of Lords, meeting without the House of Commons. It had no clearly defined functions and was an occasional rather than a permanent body. It usually concerned itself with issues relating to war or rebellion and was a means of binding the nobility to key decisions relating to national security.
How many times did the Great Council meet during Henry’s reign?
5
What are prerogative rights?
describes those rights or powers which the monarch could exercise without requiring the consent of Parliament.
What was the function of the Council Learned in Law?
To maintain the King’s revenue and to exploit his prerogative rights.
What did the Council Learned in Law do in relation to bonds and recognisances?
it made the system of bonds and recognisances work so effectively and thus able to entrap many of the King’s subjects.
Why have the workings of the Council Learned been seen as shady by historians?
it was not a recognised court of law and those summoned before it had no chance to appeal.
Who was Bray’s associate in the Council Learned?
Richard Empson, a fiercely ambitious lawyer and bureaucrat.
Who was Richard Empson joined by in the Council learned following Bray’s death in 1503?
Edmund Dudley
what is a bureaucrat?
an official in a government department, in particular one perceived as being concerned with procedural correctness at the expense of people’s needs.
What is an indication of just how unpopular Empson and Dudley’s financial control had become in the last years of Henry VII’s reign?
Their downfall brought rejoicing in the streets
Who was Sir Richard Empson?
Empson was a member of the King’s council from 1494. He eventually chaired the Council Learned. Closely identified with the increasing ruthlessness of Henry VII’s regime, Empson was arrested shortly after the death of the king, charged with treason and executed in the following year.
Who was Edmund Dudley?
Dudley came to prominence following the death of Bray. Steven Gunn argues that his role was to exploit financial opportunities, which gave him opportunity to make influential enemies. He therefore became vulnerable to counter-attack as soon as he lost the King’s protection. Upon Henry Tudor’s death he became accountable for what had been the King’s demands.
Why did the royal court have to be magnificent and generous?
Because wealth was power
Who was Henry influenced by for the design of his court?
Continental examples of royal courts, particularly those of Burgundy and France.
What is a courtier?
a person who attends a royal court as a companion or adviser to a monarch.
What did the courtiers gain from attending the royal court?
They enjoyed paid positions or the right to receive free food. Not only was the court where advancement could be attained, it was also where the support of the king or other influential persons could be obtained, which might be useful in the event of legal problems.
What is the Chamber?
The private areas of the court; also a key department for the efficient collection of royal revenues
What was The Lord Chamberlain?
also known as The Chamberlain, an experienced nobleman and member of the king’s council, and a personal friend of the King; he had administrative and political power, often speaking for the monarch in an official capacity, and was also responsible for organising court ceremonies.
What was the Privy Chamber?
comprising the close personal servants of the monarch; its members had direct access to the monarch and therefore could influence him or her more directly.
