Henry VII Government Flashcards
What are the 4 main themes of Henry VII’s government?
Central, regional, local and parliament
What were Henry’s governmental aims?
Henry wanted to re-establish law, order and good governance following the War of the Roses
How did Henry manage government?
He wanted to manage it himself ad not delegate power to advisors due to his suspicions about the nobility.
What theme does the Council come under?
Central government
What was the composition of the Council?
Ran by the King and the men he chose to sit on it
These men were advisors from the nobility, church, lawyers and royal household officers.
Although around 227 men were recorded as attending the council during Henry’s reign, his actual council only had around 6 or 7 members to provide stability
What was the function of the council?
Advise the king
Administrate on behalf of him
Make legal judgements
How did Henry keep stability within the council?
-Had a small working council
-Kept people in positions for a long time.
-Richard Fox served as Lord of the Privy Sea for 22 years until Henry’s death
How did Henry improve efficiency in the courts?
He created smaller committees
What are 3 examples of smaller committees under Henry VII?
-One responsible for acts of livery and maintenance
-Court of General Surveyors audited revenue from Crown Lands
-Council learned defended the King’s feudal landlord status
When was the Council Learned in Law established?
1495
What was the aim of the Council Learned in Law?
-Establish Henry as a feudal landlord and ensure he received all feudal dues from the nobility
What was the main tactic used by the Council Learned to enforce good behaviour?
Bonds and recognisances
What was a bond?
An agreement where a person agreed to pay a sum of money if they didn’t uphold their side.
What was a recognisance?
The acceptance of a debt or obligation that already existed, with the understanding that money will be payed if it is not carried out
Why was the council feared and resented?
It operated without a jury (this was to maintain the King’s authority but made the court viewed as unfair) and wasn’t a recognised court of law despite enforcing its penalties harshly.
Empson and Dudley, its leaders, were very unpopular in court for this reason.
What theme does Henry’s court and household come under?
Central
Why was the court so grand?
In this era, wealth meant more power, and the tudors were always trying to secure their dynasty and succession, so the court had to be magnificent and expensive.
Henry was influenced by continental courts, especially of France
The court was meant to display the power of a monarchy
How did Henry award those in his court?
Infrequently, as he only rewarded the BEST behaviour so as to encourage more of it.
What were the two levels of the court?
The household and the chamber
What was the purpose of the King’s household?
Had his most initiate staff and included those who looked after the king, including personal and catering people.
Getting in the household meant direct and easy influence over Henry’s thoughts.
Who led the chamber?
The Lord Chamberlain
How did Henry remodel the Chamber?
He used it to create a new, privy chamber where he could retreat with his most intimate servants. This changed the nature of the court as it came even more difficult for people to gain Henry’s support and patronage.
What is an example of regional authority?
Provisions councils
Extended royal authority into the provinces
How did Henry establish Provisional councils?
Relied on trusted servants, such as Jasper in Tudor in Wales or the Earl of Surrey in the North.
