Government Flashcards
What were the seven essential parts of the government?
Privy Chamber
The Court
King’s Council
Star Chamber
Council Learned in Law
Parliament
The Church
What was the role + purpose of the Privy Chamber?
Allowed Henry VII to concentrate power through a few key individuals
A private set of rooms - Henry VII ran his government from his household
Became larger after Sir Stanley’s betrayal
Who was the Groom of the Stool?
Hugh Denys
Member of the Privy Chamber
Amassed a small fortune from accepting bribes to mention suitors during their intimate moments with Henry VII
What was the role + purpose of The Court?
A group of individuals who moved place to place with the king
Informal advisors - assured loyalty to monarch
Name four individuals in The Court
Thomas Stanley (Earl of Derby)
Demesne-based Magnates:
Hastings
Daubeny
Herbert
What was the role + purpose of the King’s Council?
Official advisors
Made up of people Henry VII trusted - talent not nobility
Either got together in large assemblies or intimate meetings
How many people were in the King’s Council in total?
240 men in total
Name some individuals in the King’s Council (4 examples)
John Morton (Archbishop of Canterbury)
Edmund Dudley (Bonds + Rec)
Reginald Bray
Richard Foxe
Why was Henry VII not always present at the King’s Council meetings?
Did not need to be, he still found out what was said due to loyal members
What was the role + purpose of the Star Chamber?
Formed to deliver swift justice to rioters
Only used when necessary
Punishments were moderate - fines/imprisonment
Who was in the Star Chamber?
John Morton (Lord Chancellor 1487-1500)
William Warham (Lord Chancellor 1504-15)
Thomas Howard (The Treasurer 1501 onwards)
Secretary of State + Keeper of the Privy Seal
What was the role + purpose of the Council Learned in Law?
King’s most trusted advisors and executive officers
Established in 1495 to assist the King’s finances
Reached it’s zenith in 1500 - ‘personal monarchy’
Who were the 5 main individuals in the Council Learned in Law?
Reginald Bray (Presided over it until 1503)
Richard Empson (Took over after Bray)
Edmund Dudley
Bishop Roger Leybourne
Bishop Robert Sherbourne
Was the Council Learned in Law successful?
Yes - repressed nobility through Bonds + Recognisances
However, built resentment overtime (Henry VIII executed Empson + Dudley in 1510)
What was the role + purpose of Parliament?
Called by the king to either obtain supplies of money or pass laws
Only called 7 times during Henry VII’s reign (21 months of sessions in 23 years)
Consented to declarations of war or tax raises
Separated into the Upper (Lords) chamber and the Lower (Commons) chamber
