Control Flashcards
What were threats to Henry VII’s control when he ascended to the throne?
The power of individual nobles due to the Wars of the Roses
Uneven control over the kingdom
The poor finances of the crown
How did Henry VII reward those that helped him take the throne?
John de Vere, who joned him in France was made Earl of Oxford
Lord (Thomas) Stanley became Earl of Derby
Jasper Tudor was made Earl of Bedford
Sir William Chamberlain was made Lord Chamberlain
John Morton (who resisted Richard during his reign) was made Lord Chancellor, and later ABofC
How did Henry’s appointments after the BofB increase his control?
De Vere and Lord Stanley meant he had strong supporters in the midlands.
It made them more loyal, because they had been rewarded and could help him from their new positions
How did the WotR affect the noble houses?
It meant many major families were headed by children, because their parents had died in battle, e.g. Warwick, Northumberland and Buckingham. This meant Henry could easily control them.
How did HVII use attainders during his reign?
He used them to punish those who fought against him in the BoB, and would sometimes reverse them to restore land and titles.
He used them periodically, and became more severe later.
How many attainders did Henry VII pass and reverse?
He passed 138 attainders, and reversed 46.
How many attainders did he pass in the last five years?
51
How much did sir Thomas Tyrrell pay to reverse his attainder?
£1,738
What was Henry VII’s attitude to patronage?
He used it sparingly to prevent groups of nobles rising and then forming powerful factions.
By how much did the number of nobles fall by in Henry VII’s reign?
By about 1/4
When were laws passed in Henry VII’s reign acting against retaining?
What were they?
1485: Member of the Lord’s and Common’s had to swear to not illegally retain
1504: Required nobles to have a special license to retain large numbers. They would face a £5 per month per illegal retainer fine.
Were Henry VII’s laws against retaining effective?
The problem had gone on too long to be easily fixed, and many nobles just covered up records of the wages they paid, so no one knew how many they had.
So no
How much of the nobility was held under bonds in HVII’s last years?
about 2/3
Lord Burgavenny (extreme example of bonds), what was he convicted of and how much was he fined?
Convicted in 1507, of illegally retaining 47 men, and was fined £70,000.
Henry ‘generously’ put him under a bond to £5,000 over ten years, with conditions to not set foot on hi family land until paid.
Why was the Council Learned in Law established?
To act as royal debt collector
