english society: elitist + commoners

Question 1

The nobility (peers) in favour: responsibilities

Answer 1

-Numbers of peers= increased during his reign
-Most new peers achieved their rank due to successful royal service as soldiers/courtiers: in some cases this was enhanced by close family relationships.
-HVIII gave out land to allow them to exert royal authority in certain areas e.g. John Baron Russell- raised to peerage + given land to assert royal authority.
-During his reign they were kept under control e.g. Thomas Fiennes who was tried + executed for murder of a servant, was hung like a common criminal.
-Nobel households=critical for exerting local influence + recruitment of local armies e.g. Earl of Shrewsbury raised 4000+ men.

Question 2

Nobles out of favour

Answer 2

Tried + executed many for treason e.g. Duke of Buckingham or his own relatives

Question 3

Gentry

Answer 3

1540- around 5000 gentry families in Eng
1524- around 200 knightly families, knighthoods were conferred as a sign of royal favour.
By 1530- heralds were unwilling to grant/confirm the title to anyone w/ land worth less than £10 per annum, or goods worth under £300.
-‘Gentility’- term often acquired as a result of proceeds of office, profession or business.

Question 4

JP’s + administration

Answer 4

-Increased no. of JPs= increased no. of those participating in local administration.
-The crowns local administrators= likely to have been clergymen prior: office holding brought about landownership + gentry status.

Question 5

Commoners

Answer 5

-The rise in inflation= drop in real incomes–> contributed to ill-feeling towards imposition of Amicable Grant.
-Social structure remained the same: many unable to secure a chance of regular + stable employment.
-Outbreaks of disorder is more common.