henry vii government Flashcards
What was the style of rule under Henry VII?
Henry VII ruled with a council of advisers who supported him in making key decisions.
How many men attended the Council during Henry VII’s reign?
Around 227 men are recorded as having attended the Council during his reign.
What was the actual size of Henry VII’s working Council?
The actual working Council was much smaller, with around six or seven members.
What were the three main functions of the Council under Henry VII?
- To advise the king
- To administer the realm on the king’s behalf
- To make legal judgements.
What are the three main types of councillor in Henry VII’s Council?
- Members of the nobility
- Churchmen
- Laymen (gentry or lawyers).
Who were some notable churchmen in Henry VII’s Council?
John Morton and Richard Fox were notable churchmen, often with legal training.
What role did lawyers play in Henry VII’s Council?
Lawyers were skilled administrators and had played a significant role in previous reigns.
Who was John Morton?
John Morton was a highly able churchman and lawyer who served both Yorkists and Lancastrians.
What position did John Morton hold under Henry VII?
He was promoted to Archbishop of Canterbury in 1486 and became a cardinal in 1493.
What is the definition of ‘elites’?
Elites are select groups considered superior in ability, birth, or qualities to the rest of a group or society.
What does ‘magnate’ refer to in this context?
In this context, a magnate is a member of the higher ranks of the nobility.
What is the Duchy of Lancaster?
A significant body of property, mostly situated in Lancashire, personally belonging to the king but formally the territory of the duke. Henry VII granted positions of authority within the duchy to his most trusted servants.
Who was Margaret Beaufort?
Margaret Beaufort (1443-1509) was the mother of Henry VII, married Edmund Tudor, and remained an important unofficial adviser to the king. She was granted a large landed estate by Henry at Collyweston in Northamptonshire.
What was Sir Reginald Bray’s role during Henry VII’s reign?
Bray was a faithful servant of Henry Tudor, helped raise funds before the Battle of Bosworth, and served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. He was described as the king’s chief executive.
What was the function of the Great Council?
The Great Council was a gathering of the House of Lords, meeting without the House of Commons, concerned with issues relating to war or rebellion, and met only five times during Henry VII’s reign.
What was the Council Learned?
The Council Learned was an offshoot of the Council that developed under Bray’s leadership, focused on maintaining the king’s revenue and exploiting his prerogative rights. It was seen as a ‘shady’ operation by historians.
Who was Richard Empson?
Richard Empson was Bray’s associate in the Council Learned, known for his fiercely ambitious and ruthless approach.
How did the Council Learned operate?
The Council Learned was not a recognized court of law, and those summoned had no chance to appeal. It was important for maintaining the king’s authority and raising finances.
Who was Sir Richard Empson?
Empson was a member of the king’s Council from 1494 and chaired the Council Learned. He was closely identified with the increasing ruthlessness of Henry VII’s regime and was executed for treason shortly after the king’s death.
What role did Edmund Dudley play after Bray’s death?
Dudley came to prominence following Bray’s death and exploited financial opportunities, making influential enemies. He became vulnerable to counter-attack after losing the king’s protection.
What is a bureaucrat?
A bureaucrat is an official in a government department, particularly one perceived as being concerned with procedural correctness at the expense of people’s needs.
What was the purpose of the Chamber in the royal court?
The Chamber was overseen by the Lord Chamberlain and was used for holding audiences and public dining. It was the center of court communications and court patronage.
What was the Privy Chamber?
The Privy Chamber was the king’s private quarters used for work and leisure, where he met his personal friends and servants.
How did the Tudors view the royal court?
The Tudors relied heavily on the royal court as the center of government, influenced by continental examples of royal courts, and it was a focus of a personal monarchy and royal ceremony.
What happened to Empson and Dudley after Henry VII’s death?
Empson and Dudley were removed from power by key advisers of the king and their downfall was celebrated by the public, indicating their unpopularity.
What is a courtier?
A courtier is a person who attends a royal court as a companion or adviser to the monarch.
How were rewards and status distributed at court?
Rewards and status were distributed to those who were deserving or, more likely, well connected.
What benefits did courtiers enjoy?
Courtiers enjoyed paid positions or the right to receive free food.
What was the significance of the royal court?
The royal court was where advancement could be attained and support from the king or influential persons could be obtained.
What characterizes a personal monarchy?
In a personal monarchy, political power and influence depend more on the relationship with the monarch than on any specific office held.
What is a Chamber in the context of the royal court?
The Chamber refers to the private areas of the court and is a key department for the efficient collection of royal revenues.
Who is the Lord Chamberlain?
The Lord Chamberlain is an experienced nobleman, a member of the king’s council, and a personal friend of the king with administrative and political power.
What is the Privy Chamber?
The Privy Chamber comprises the close personal servants of the monarch, who have direct access and can influence the monarch more directly.
What does chivalrous mean?
Chivalrous means to be gallant or courteous; it refers to a code of conduct associated with the dutiful behaviour of medieval knights.
What was the role of the household proper?
The household proper was responsible for looking after the king, courtiers, guests, and other entertainers.
What was the impact of Sir William Stanley’s treason?
Henry VII was significantly affected by discovering that his Lord Chamberlain, Sir William Stanley, was involved in a treasonable plot.
How did Henry VII respond to the challenge of treason?
Henry VII remodeled the Chamber by creating a new Privy Chamber, making it more difficult for those out of favour to regain the king’s support.
What is Parliament?
Parliament comprises the House of Commons and the House of Lords and has existed since the thirteenth century.
What are the main functions of Parliament?
The two main functions of Parliament are to pass laws and to grant taxation to the Crown.
What is a subsidiary function of Parliament?
A subsidiary function is to allow local issues and grievances to be passed on to the king’s officials by local Members of Parliament (MPs).