Control from the centre - government

Question 1

What was the aim of Privy Reform?

Answer 1

It was Thomas Cromwell’s attempt to modernise King’s Council

Question 2

What do many Historians believe the reason behind the Privy Reform is?

Answer 2

Historians such as John Guy argue that it was merely a response to the threat posed by the Pilgrimage of Grace, 1536.

Question 3

What was the Privy Chamber used for?

Answer 3

To collect and store income.

Question 4

What was Privy Chamber also referred to as?

Answer 4

Political hub’

Question 5

What role did Henry VII create to restrict access to the Monarch?

Answer 5

Yeoman of the Guard, which acted as a personal body guard.

Question 6

What was the role of the Groom of the Stool?

Answer 6

The Groom of the stool was incharge of the Royal toilet. Duties involved checking the King or Queen’s poop to ensure they were in good health.

Question 7

Who took up the role of the Groom of the stool?

Answer 7

Under Henry VIII, this role was taken up by his closest friends normally part of the nobility or gentry as it was a role that required great intimacy.

Question 8

What formal roles did the Groom of the Stool have?

Answer 8

They were the closest advisors to the monarchy, so they usually were part of the government as well. They were also sent on diplomatic missions to France.

Question 9

What is a dry stamp?

Answer 9

An embossed stamp was made of the King’s signature. This could be stamped onto documents, the signature could then be inked in

Question 10

What was the political importance of the dry stamp?

Answer 10

Possession of the dry stamp gave an individual significant political power. This was evident when a faction led by Edmund Seymour (Earl of Hertford) and John Dudley (Viscount Lisle) gained access to the stamp and were able to alter the King’s will in 1547 to gain more power.

Question 11

How did the role of the groom of the stool change under Mary and Elizabeth?

Answer 11

Due to the levels of intimacy, the role was occupied by women. Although they were not the closest advisors, they were the wives to members of the Household.

Question 12

Did the role of the Groom of the stool still have political influence under Mary and and Elizabeth?

Answer 12

Yes but less influence. Evident from Charles V writing to ambassodor Simon Renard arguing that these ladies were taking advantage of their roles to gain patronage and favours.

Question 13

How did Mary keep greater control over the privy chamber?

Answer 13

She kept the dry stamp under lock and key.

Question 14

How did Elizabeth’s privy chamber change?

Answer 14

Politics was carried out through more formal channels, reduction in informal channels

Question 15

What was the role of the Royal Council?

Answer 15

A formal body that existed to advise the monarch.

Question 16

What were other roles adopted by the Royal Council?

Answer 16

The Council could act as a judicial court where high profile cases to do predominately with the nobility could be dealt with, in the case that normal courts couldnt solve it

Question 17

Between the period of 1485 - 1909, how many men attended Henry VII’s council meeting?

Answer 17

200

Question 18

What type of people did Henry VII’s council consist of?

Answer 18

Members of the nobility, churchman, royal officials and lawyers

Question 19

What was Henry VII cautious about?

Answer 19

Included men who served under his Yorkist predecessors, Edward IV (22 men) and Richard III (22 men) to help establish and secure his throne.

Question 20

What was ‘The Great Council’?

Answer 20

These were special gatherings of all members of the nobility and his councillors used in the case of discussing important matters such as war and taxation.

Question 21

How many ‘Great Councils’ were held between 1487 and 1502?

Answer 21

5

Question 22

Which people did Heny VIII’s council consist of?

Answer 22

Archbishop of Canterbury, William Warham, and the Bishop of Winchester, Richard Fox

Question 23

Who was Fox and Warham replaced by?

Answer 23

Thomas Wosley because he was able to give young Henry VIII what he wanted which was war.

Question 24

How did the Privy Council’s role change after the fall of Thomas Cromwell?

Answer 24

It became more advisory, and acted as a ‘Chief Minister’

Question 25

What did the change in role to ‘Chief Minister’ mean?

Answer 25

Meant that all members of the newly formed council were collectively responsible. For example, the Duke of Norfolk insisted that anyone wishing to conduct business with the Council should write to them as a group, not to an individual.

Question 26

How did membership of the Council change since 1540?

Answer 26

Its membership was considerably reduced and was fixed to include the most trusted advisors of the Monarch.

Question 27

What was membership figures of the Council under Henry VII?

Answer 27

227

Question 28

What was membership figures of the Council under Wolsey?

Answer 28

120

Question 29

What was membership figures of the Council in 1603?

Answer 29

13

Question 30

Why was there an increase in membership under Edward VI?

Answer 30

As Edward was still a child, a larger council was required in order to govern the country while the King was too young to do so himself

Question 31

When did the role of the Secretary first become important?

Answer 31

1530 when Thomas Cromwell was dominant

Question 32

What did the role of the secretary mean?

Answer 32

Holding this position meant close personal access to the Monarch, as well as control of the Monarch’s personal seal, which made royal documents offical.

Question 33

When did Thomas become secretary and what did he do?

Answer 33

He became secretary in 1534 and he used his position to control council meetings and his access to the King’s private correspondence meant that he had a detailed knowledge of Henry’s day to day business

Question 34

Post fall of Thomas Cromwell, when did the role of Secretary gain political importance again?

Answer 34

Under Elizabeth when she appointed her most trust advisor William Cecil to the role

Question 35

Why was the role of Secretary dangerous under Elizabeth?

Answer 35

William Davidson had the responsibilty to keep the death warrant which has been issued for Mary, Queen of Scots. Elizabeth reluctantly signed it, however asked for the warrant not to be sent. The Council wanted the warrant to be sent which led to the execution of Mary and led to furious Elizabeth removing Davidson who was tried, imprisoned and forced to pay a fine of 10,000 marks.

Question 36

What problems did the role of Lord Lieutenant attempt to solve?

Answer 36

Corruption in local communties, prevent the mustering of armies against the king, ensure the roles taken by the nobles in terms of court cases were filled by better suited people

Question 37

Who were appointed as Lieutenants to deal with crises?

Answer 37

Members of the nobility

Question 38

What were Northumberland Lieutenants expected to do?

Answer 38

They were expected to establish a policing and military role at a more local level.

Question 39

How many Lieutenancies was the country divided up into under Mary?

Answer 39

10

Question 40

Why did the role of Lord Lieutenant become an important one under Elizabeth I?

Answer 40

Due to the threat posed by Spain

Question 41

Why was the creation of Lord Lieutenants important?

Answer 41

It harnessed the most powerful men in the country, the nobility, in the service of the crown

Question 42

Who could act as Lord Lieutenants?

Answer 42

Members of the Council lead to greater loyalty to the Monarch

Question 43

What were Lord Lieutenants able to do?

Answer 43

Gather information about local conditions to advise the Monarch