Control over the North

Question 1

What was the government of the North in 1485-1537 (Henry VII and Henry VIII) like?

Answer 1

o Noble families – Dacres, Cliffords, Percys and Nevilles – involved in complex feuds and couldn’t be expected to keep peace, however were important as first line of defence against invasion from the Scots.
> 1525 Lord Dacres fined 1,000 pounds in the Star Chamber for his tolerance of disorder in the north.

o Attempt to revive Council of the North in 1525 – Henry’s illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy put in charge, but died in 1536.

IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE IN 1536 THAT ROYAL INTERVENTION IN THE NORTH BECAME PERMANENT AND DIRECT

Question 2

What were the key impacts of the re-establishment of the Council of the North, 1537?

Answer 2

o Bishop or nobility from the south as president – no vested interests, remain neutral in decision making.
> 1538-1540 Robert Holgate, the bishop of Llandaff.

o Council made up of local gentry, lawyers and clergy – rest of the council came from the north, consistent approach.

o Councillors made JPs – developed as a body which could oversee administration, control border raids and manage local order through northern version of the Star Chamber.

o Development of the CON after 1537 signalled a decline in the power of traditional noble families, the Dacres, Percys and Nevilles – their military power was useful up until 1570 as a result of peaceful relations with Scotland – traditional northern nobility no longer needed.

Question 3

What were the further changes in made under Elizabeth to the North?

Answer 3

o Attempted to insert more Southerners – caused resentment among northern nobility and led to rebellion in 1569 – council not completely in control in North.

o Combatting recusancy – North was openly Catholic and may rebel against her Supremacy of 1559.

o 1569 rebellions led to reconstruction – Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon and Elizabeth’s cousin, was made president – North became much more stable, no further rebellion and power of northern nobility eroded.

Question 4

What was controlling the North like for the Tudors?

Answer 4

o Controlling the North was challenging for Tudor monarchs:

1. Geographically remote with poor communications.
2. Under threat of invasion from Scotland – border was so extensive it was split into three zones; Western, Eastern and Middle marches each guarded by wardens.
3. Henry VII’s position as a usurper – rivals could place themselves over the border in Scotland.
4. Support for Richard III in places like Yorkshire.
5. Economic hardship – 1489 Tax Revolt in Yorkshire which led to the death of Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, replaced with Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey until 1499 when it returned to warden system.

Question 5

What was the cause of the re-establishment of the Council of the North 1537 and what changed?

Answer 5

October 1536 rebellion broke out in Lincolnshire and spread northwards – Cromwell decided to remodel the council 1537 in order to strengthen powers and prevent further unrest.

1. Given powers to hear and decide on cases of treason, murder and felony.
2. Voice of government in London – passing on and enforcing royal proclamations made to sheriffs and JPs.
3. Oversaw food supplies, regulated trade, organised local musters for military campaigns.
4. Extended to govern not only Yorkshire, but also Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmorland. 5. Henry VIII signalled the status of the new council by giving it a permanent headquarters in York, the former abbot of St Mary’s priory which was dissolved in 1539.