England's Society 1485-1509 Flashcards
What did the gentry consist of?
They were great landowners in their own right. The most important members of the gentry (eg. SIR REGINALD BRAY) sought knighthoods as confirmation of their social status. In 1490, there were 375 knights. This status originally imposed military obligations, however it was assumed that those holding the status would assist in the administration of their localities. It is estimated that Knights and peers together owned 15-20% of the country’s land. Esquires and mere gentry were more numerous than Knights. Esquires were either elder sons of Knights or younger sons of barons.
What did the nobility comprise of?
The peerage (nobility) comprised of no more than 50 or 60 men. The families died out on a regular basis, but replaced by those who had bought the Kings favour. These families were relied on for the maintenance of law and order in the countryside. Henry VII was reluctant to create new titles, possibly due to the distrust of the class. He only trusted Lancastrian military commanders (eg. EARL OF OXFORD). He never trusted the EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND, even though he had swung the Battle of Bosworth by betraying Richard III. Henry’s method of controlling this class was through bonds and recognisances. The nobles power was the system by which wealthy magnates could recruit Knights and gentlemen. These could be used against the king, so Henry sought to reduce military power through legislation against retaining. In 1487, a law against retaining was established.
Who were churchmen?
The social status of churchmen varied enormously. Curates and chantry priests were rewarded modestly for meeting the spiritual needs of the ordinary folk, however bishops and abbots were more important and were entitled to sit in the House of Lords and often had political roles. Henry VII tended to appoint bishops who had legal training and administrative competence. Thus, the higher clergy were becoming less socially exclusive.
What did commoners do?
Yeomen (bourgeoisie in the countryside) farmed substantial properties. The Black Death had led to a decrease in land value. Below yeomen were Husbandmen who kept smaller farms and supplemented their incomes through employment by yeomen or gentry. Shopkeepers and skilled tradesmen tended to dominate town councils and played a key role in organisations such as guilds and lay confraternities.
What different farming methods were there in England?
South of the line (between Weymouth and Teesmouth), where roughly three quarters of the population lived, mixed farming dominated. However, pastoral farming (rearing of livestock, mainly sheep, cattle and horses) dominated North of the line. Contemporaries were aware of these regional differences; Londoners looked down on the northerners as savage and northerners were envious of their riches.
What were the two major rebellions in Henry VII’s reign?
THE YORKSHIRE REBELLION (1489) - sparked off by taxation granted by parliament in 1499 in order to finance England’s involvement in Brittany. What made this rebellion notorious is the murder of the Earl of Northumberland outside Thirsk in April that year by his tenants allowed by the desertion of his retainers.
THE CORNISH REBELLION (1497) - this was triggered by the need of extraordinary revenue for the campaign in Scotland. It posed a great threat because, circa 15000 were involved; Perkin Warbeck attempted to exploit it and the rebels were only halted at Blackheath. Henry was forced to withdraw Lord Daubeney and his troops from the Scottish border. Henry only executed the leaders, and was cautious about entering further foreign conflicts.
