EP: Henry VII and the nobility Flashcards
1
Q
Introduction
A
Introduction:
- He transformed the nobility from a feudal to a service nobility
- Francis Bacon argued for, and then Chrimes and Grant agreed, he established a ‘New monarchy’ in which royal authority was restored and the days of bastard feudalism were over
- Penn and Carpenter challenge this view as it goes too far
- Whilst he had curbed their power, he still remained reliant on them to enforce justice, law and order
- But, should consider the instability of his position in 1485, hence must argue he was successful
2
Q
3 Paragraph Headings for Question “How effectively did Henry VII handle the nobility”
A
- Dynastic challenge and ‘overmighty’ subjects
- Retaining/livery and maintenance
- Financial subservience and control
3
Q
Conclusion
A
Conclusion:
- Evidently he handled the nobility very effectively, although to agree with Chrimes and Grant that these policies reflected a ‘new monarchy’ goes too far
- Especially in comparison to the 2nd reign of Edward IV which makes Henry’s reign look far less impressive
4
Q
All of Dynastic challenge and ‘overmighty’ subjects
A
- Bacon: “There was now no such thing as any great or mighty subject who might eclipse or overshadow the imperial power”
- Agree that there were dynastic challenges with Simnel, Lincoln, Warbeck, Warwick and Suffolk but he overcame them all
- Role of leading noblemen was eclipsed by the emergence of the King’s Council and the so-called ‘new men’ as Steven Gunn describes them (Sir Reginald Bray, Edmund Dudley, etc.)
- These new men were utilised in numerous ways such as JPs and sheriffs to maintain peace, financial administrations and military leaders to raise armies through retaining
- Deliberate lack of patronage and curbing size of the nobility (60 in 1485 to 40 in 1509)- Reduced their threat
- Promotion of minor councils such as Privy Chamber and Order of the Garter also helped bring nobility under control
- BUT: Some members of the nobility still enjoyed considerable regional autonomy. Inc: Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond in the Midlands and John de Vere, Earl of Oxford
5
Q
All of Retaining/ livery and maintainence
A
- These aspects are the most obvious examples of the independence of the nobility and had clearly plagued previous monarchs
- Henry made persistent attempts to further reduce private retaining with statutes in 1485, 1487 and notably 1504
- 1504: Henry introduced a novel system of licensing whereby nobles could employ retainers for the king’s service alone. Entire retenue had to be listed for royal approval
- This was enforced ruthlessly and many leading noblemen came victim of huge fines such as Buckingham, Derby, Essex and Shrewsbury)
- Even Henry’s mother and the Earl of Oxford (supposedly) were fined for illegal retaining
- Significant reduction in the number of retainers that magnates maintained
- J: Henry was undoubtedly far more successful in controlling retaining than his predecessors had been
6
Q
All of Financial subservience and control
A
- Passed 138 acts of attainder and placed 36/62 peerage families under bonds compared to just 7 in Edward IV’s reign
- Surveyor of the King’s Prerogative targeted nobility to suppress them financially to make it impossible for them to rebel
- In court, he would fine nobles rather than execute them. (E.g. Earl of Northumberland was allowed to pay a £10,000 fine as a pardon for disposing of the wardship and marriage of Elizabeth Hastings without a royal license- Huge fine for the earl of Northumberland). Huge fee and cancelled by Henry VIII in 1510.
- Exploited in radical ways- E.g. Demanded a recognisance of £10,000 in 1485 from the Earl of Westmorland to guarantee his future loyalty- He didn’t even fight at Bosworth
- 46/62 noble families were at one time or another financially at Henry’s mercy
- Henry reintroduced benevolences (a.k.a forced loans) after Richard had abolished them in 1484- Raised a sum of £48,500)- Chancellor John Morton visited leading nobles and ‘encouraged’ them to give money to Henry
BUT: Deeply unpopular- Penn’s argument, there could have been a rebellion in last 4 or 5 years of his reign and he was lucky to die when he did
Dudley: “Henry’s policy was to have many persons in his danger at his pleasure”
7
Q
Quote from Bacon
A
- Bacon: “There was now no such thing as any great or mighty subject who might eclipse or overshadow the imperial power”
8
Q
Quote from Dudley
A
Dudley: “Henry’s policy was to have many persons in his danger at his pleasure”
9
Q
What would you argue in the paragraph on Dynastic challenge and ‘overmighty’ subjects
A
- Agree that there were dynastic challenges with Simnel, Lincoln, Warbeck, Warwick and Suffolk but he overcame them all
10
Q
Role of the King’s Council and New Men
A
- Role of leading noblemen was eclipsed by the emergence of the King’s Council and the so-called ‘new men’ as Steven Gunn describes them (Sir Reginald Bray, Edmund Dudley, etc.)
- These new men were utilised in numerous ways such as JPs and sheriffs to maintain peace, financial administrations and military leaders to raise armies through retaining
11
Q
How else did he curb the power of the nobility
A
- Deliberate lack of patronage and curbing size of the nobility (60 in 1485 to 40 in 1509)- Reduced their threat
- Promotion of minor councils such as Privy Chamber and Order of the Garter also helped bring nobility under control
12
Q
Who still enjoyed considerable regional autonomy
A
- BUT: Some members of the nobility still enjoyed considerable regional autonomy. Inc: Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond in the Midlands (a.k.a. His mother) and John de Vere, Earl of Oxford
13
Q
When had he tried to reduce private retaining
A
- Henry made persistent attempts to further reduce private retaining with statutes in 1485, 1487 and notably 1504
14
Q
What did Henry do in the parliament of 1504
A
- 1504: Henry introduced a novel system of licensing whereby nobles could employ retainers for the king’s service alone. Entire retenue had to be listed for royal approval
- This was enforced ruthlessly and many leading noblemen came victim of huge fines such as Buckingham, Derby, Essex and Shrewsbury)
- Even Henry’s mother and the Earl of Oxford (supposedly) were fined for illegal retaining
15
Q
How many acts of attainder did he pass
A
138
