Government essay Change Vs Continuity

Question 1

most convincing way continuity was shown?

Answer 1

1. Henry remained the centre of govt:

• chose to sit on his council
• had a small group of councillors that he met regularly (could trust) eg Sir Reginald Bray
• to improve efficiency of central govt he used smaller committees formed from within the council on a more regular basis
• Henry had complete control, called parliament, used the great council as a way to achieve authority and the councils main function was to advise him and administer on his behalf

Question 2

another highly significant way continuity shown? (2)

Answer 2

2. Role of parliament remained the same

• pass laws and grant taxation
• not extensively used but was an integral part of government
• only called parliament when he needed to ❗️ 7 times total, first 5 being in the first ten years of his reign
• on a whole operated effectively and and H respected its decisions

BC: had existed since 13th century

Question 3

other way continuity was shown?

Answer 3

3. elite group of councillors remained the same

• Lord chancellor John Morton responsible for administration
• Lord Privy seal Richard Fox responsible for seals to enforce royal orders
• Lord Treasurer (Lord Dynham); responsible for finance
• Other key figures incl Sir Reginald Bray, Lord Daubeny and Sir John Riseley

Ex: gave stability to new regime because they were kept in power so long as he knew they were people he could trust ➡️ important as Henry unstable on the throne due to pretenders therefore needed people he could rely on

Question 4

most significant way change was shown?

Answer 4

1. approach to finance changed

• took a more direct and personal interest in finances as his reign progressed
• beginning allowed clumsy and inefficient departments to take control ❗️ eg treasury of exchequer
• from 1487 onwards he dealt with finances in his private rooms in the palace ❗️privy chamber ➡️ became most important financial institution
• end of reign he ensured enough annual income to meet commitments and money was carefully accounted for
  ❗️royal income rose from an annual average of £52,000 to £124,000 by the end of his reign

Question 5

how else was the government changed during the years 1485-1509?

Answer 5

2. creation of the council learned

❗️created in 1496 by Sir Reginald Bray
- dealt with fiscal matters and enforced payments of debts (more efficient than the exchequer)
- able to bypass laws with no way to appeal ➡️ very unpopular as Empson and Dudley were extremely harsh and created fear of bureaucrats
- long term : Empson and Dudley were imprisoned, convicted of treason, attained and executed in 1510

Question 6

how else was the government changed ?

Answer 6

3. increasing use of JP’s

• H relied increasingly on the JP’s to maintain law and order in the countryside
• appointed on a county by county basis
• various acts of parliament were passed to increase the powers and responsibilities of JP’s

Ex: shows how Henry increasingly feared the threat of powerful nobles but highlights how he was smart in the way he governed in order to remain the central power within England despite the constant threat of the nobility

Question 7

more change or continuity?

Answer 7

Evidenced by the stability of Henry’s govt as well as reign there was indefinitely more continuity throughout, most significantly being due to his place in government. Although as Henry’s confidence grew and aims were able to move away from securing dynasty he was able to have a more proactive approach to finance