Government Flashcards
What were the issues in government that Henry VII inherited?
The nobility was excessively powerful, royal finances were depleted, Henry had a bad claim to the throne and crown power was very uneven
What did local government depend on?
Justices of the Peace, who were chief local government officials, who were responsible for maintaining public order and implementing any laws that concerned social-economic matters. There were on average 18 per county, and they weren’t paid but it was in their interest as local landowners to do their job properly
What changes were made to the rights of Justices of the Peace?
In 1485 they could arrest or question hunters who were in disguise, and they could be suspected for murder or rebellion. In 1487 they could grant bail to those awaiting trial, and in 1495 they could replace members of juries who they suspected of having being bribed
Why was the Earl of Suffolk put in charge in Northern England?
He was put in charge after the Earl of Northumberland’s murder in 1489 as he had no strong bases of support with which to rival Henry
What happened in Wales?
The Council of Wales was restored and staffed with Welsh nobles under the leadership of Jasper Tudor
Why was parliament used?
It had a minor role in political life and was mainly used to pass laws and give the king additional taxes, and Henry often used Parliament to support him in controversial policies such as limitations on traditional privileges of nobles or new financial demands on his subjects
How many times did parliament meet under Henry VII?
7 times
How did Henry VII mainly rule?
Through decrees and proclamations
What parts of government were more important to Henry VII?
Committees and law courts, chiefly the Royal council
What was the Royal Council?
It consisted of Henry VII’s most trusted advisors to give advice and take on the tasks of the day to day management of the kingdom, and only 6-7 people were in regular attendance, such as Morton, Fox, Dudley and Bray
What was a sub-committee of Henry’s council?
The Council Learned in Law
What was the Star Chamber?
It was created by the Star Chamber act in 1487 and was responsible for prosecuting anyone who behaved in a rebellious or lawless manner, along with collecting bonds and recognisances, although Henry preferred to control unruly subjects by financial methods predominantly
What funds were brought in from lands in Henry VII’s first year through the Treasury and exchequer?
He only received £11,700 from lands in his first year, whereas Richard brought in about £25,000
Who’s system of finance did Henry VII follow?
Edward IV, with all administration of finance being done from his own private rooms
What was the Surveyor of the King’s Wards?
It was established to investigate cases of money own from Wardships
Why was the court of Audit formed?
To monitor the spending of the government
How much did Henry receive per annum compared to that of foreign powers?
He received £113,000 per annum by the end of his reign, compared to the King of France’s £800,000 and Maximilian’s £1,100,000
What did Henry lend to Burgundy in 1505?
£138,000 to Philip of Burgundy to finance his voyage to Spain
How much did Henry lend to Maximilian between 1505 and 1509?
Between £226,000 and £342,000
What were the two types of income that Henry received?
Ordinary and extraordinary revenue
What was the Act of Resumption?
It was used in 1486 to reclaim all crown lands that had been granted away since the start of the Wars of the Roses, but Henry didn’t always act on these claims - they were used as a potential threat to control nobles
How many attainders were issued in one parliament?
51
How much had the amount of crown land increased by?
It was 5x larger by the later years of Henry VII’s reign than it was in Henry VI’s reign
Whose lands did Henry VII retain?
Warwick, and the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester
How much crown land revenue was raised under Edward IV compared to Henry VII?
£15,000 under Edward IV, £3,000 per year in the early part of Henry VII’s reign
What were feudal dues?
Traditional rights held by the crown to demand money on the principle that the king was the sole owner of all the kingdom’s land
What were the main types of payments that the king would demand from nobility?
Relief, paid by an heir when he received his inheritance, marriage, wardship, livery and escheats
What was the increase in income from wardship and marriage?
In 1487 it was £350, in 1497 it was £6,000 per year
What were custom duties?
They were paid on goods entering or leaving the country, and they rose from £33,000 to £40,000
What were legal dues?
They were money from fines and other payments made by people appearing before the king’s courts
What was the attainder on William Stanley from 1495?
£9,000 immediately and £1,000 per year thereafter
What was extraordinary revenue?
It was for emergencies such as war, and parliaments approval was needed for most of it, but it came from other sources as well
What were bonds and recognisances?
They were used for a guarantee of good behaviour, and used for political and financial purposes, and the Council Learned in Law was used to enforce payments of these debts
What is an example of a loan being used?
In 1491 £48,000 was raised for war in Brittany, of which £9,000 was contributed by London alone
What were clerical taxes?
Taxes that the king could place on the church, and they were the only way of securing money from the church
What was the French Pension?
England would receive £5,000 per year as part of the Treaty of Etaples
What were parliamentary taxes?
They were used to raise money for military action but were often unpopular and led to rebellion
