England in 1485: Countryside, economy and society Flashcards
What was the population of England in 1485?
Around 3 million
What percentage of the population lived in rural communities?
Around 90%
Why was enclosure a concern even in the late 15th century?
Sheep farming became more profitable, and increasingly tenant famers lost strips of land and common land was enclosed as a result
When was the first attempt to combat enclosures, and what was its result?
- Little practical effect
Did the amount of enclosed land increase much during HVII’s reign?
No. Less than 3% of land was enclosed in the Midlands, where enclosure was most common
Why was enclosure increasingly seen as a grievance?
It became confused with engrossing
For what percentage did the cloth industry account of England’s exports?
80%
Why were Tudor governments keen to encourage the cloth trade?
It brought in money via customs duties on exports
How did Tudor governments try to encourage the cloth trade?
Tried to discourage the export of raw wool (1489 Act) and develop a domestic finishing industry
Which institution was an indispensable ally of the government?
The Church
What strict hierarchy of ranks was ordered by God?
The Great Chain of Being
How many nobles were there in 1485?
Just over 50
Why was the nobility important?
They were depended upon to maintain law and order in their regions
A successful monarch would have to rule cooperatively with the nobility
What principle did the monarch rule by?
The Divine Right of Kings
Why was the monarch not a dictator?
He was expected to consult with his advisors
He needed to summon parliament to vote taxation and legislate
