Henry VII Councils, Parliament And Justice

Question 1

Henry VII’s central government

Answer 1

• relied on a small, core group of councillors who met with him regularly
• included the chief officers of state which gave stability to the new regimes

Question 2

What were the smaller council committees under Henry VII who worked within the council

Answer 2

• one took responsibility for the implementations of the acts of livery and maintenance
• Court of general surveyors audited the revenues from crown lands
• Council learned in the law responsible for wardship, marriage and relief of all the king’s tenants and the collection of feudal dues (most hated because of connection with bonds but most important)

Question 3

Regional government

Answer 3

• kind entrusted key men to govern through regional councils and who would follow his orders without question
• Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey=council of the North
• Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford=council in Wales and the marches
• Sir Edward poyning=council of Ireland

Question 4

Local government

Answer 4

• the key to local government was the county

- the sheriff and the justice of the peace were the two most important royal officials in each county

Question 5

Who were the sheriffs and what did they do

Answer 5

• selected annually
• crowns representatives in every county
• management of parliamentary elections
• peacekeeping and the detention of criminals

Question 6

Who were the justice of peace (jp’s) and what did they do

Answer 6

• appointed to the commission of the peace for life
• governed and dispensed justice in courts known as quarter sessions
• arrest, try and imprison
• issue a range of punishments including the death penalty

Question 7

What about the serious offences under Henry VII

Answer 7

• treason and rebellions were tried at the court of assize presided over by judges appointed by the crown
• highest criminal court was the court of the kings bench which could override decisions made at the quarter sessions and assize courts

Question 8

Parliament

Answer 8

• summoned on 7 occasions. 5 of which in the first decade showing insecurity and only 2 after 1495
• most frequently passed acts of attainder designed to subdue his political opponents
• limited use after 1495 showed all power was derived from the crown

Question 9

Legislation

Answer 9

• used to carry out his policies against riots and retaining
• 10% of all statutes dealt with the responsibilities of the jps and control of provinces