Henry VII - Government Flashcards
What are feudal dues?
Money owed to the king because he is the feudal Lord. They have been in place and unquestioned since the Middle Ages
What are feudal rights?
Automatic rights the king assumes upon accession. They have been in place and unquestioned since the Middle Ages.
What is common law?
Laws derived from tradition and previous cases rather than official legislation. This is the general system of law used in legal courts in Tudor times
What is the court of the star chamber?
Was a court of law
It’s roots do go back to the medieval period the court only became powerful as a separate entity during Henry 7th’s reign
In 1487 the court became a judicial body separate from the King’s council
Role of the court expanded to include taking cases relating to instances of public disorder
Judges would receive petitions involving property rights, public corruption, trade, govt. administration and disputes arising from land enclosures
What is the court of the chancery?
Was a court of law that followed a set of loose rules to try to avoid the possible harshness of the common law.
Had jurisdiction over all matters of equity, including trusts, land law, the administration of the estates of lunatics and the guardianship of infants
What is the court of requests?
It became a formal tribunal with some Privy Council elements bearing cases from the poor and the servants of the King
It quickly became popular due to the low cost of bringing a case and the fast processing time – leading to anger of the common law judges
What is the council learned in law?
Was a small and highly professional legal committee
Introduced in 1495 to defend Henry’s position as feudal landlord
It initially dealt with the Duchy of Lancaster and the chancellor of Duchy was put in charge of the council learned
Went on the deal with crown lands and keep up to date records of wardship, marriage and relief of all the king’s tenants and the collections of the fraud all dues
Acted without a jury and actively advanced the position of the king
In 1504 Sir Richard Empson became chancellor of the Duchy and President of council learned – rigorously asserted royal feudal rights and later admitted that me had up feudal dues in more than 80 cases
What is the royal household?
The royal household was divided into two departments: above stairs=“the Royal Chamber” , and below stairs called the “household proper”
What is the royal chamber?
Lord Chamberlain’s department - in charge of court entertainment, distribution of lodgings, made arrangements for the king’s progresses, recurved ambassadors
Catered to the personal needs of the King
The great hall was used for the monarchs formal and public business and the chamber was used for his private and personal use
What was the household proper?
Household below the stairs and was under the supervision of the Lord steward whose concern was food, drink, lighting, fuel and the entire staff’s domestic needs
What was the royal council?
The inner circle of nobility
Anyone in the royal council was in because of their ability and their loyalty
From 1485 to 1509 there was a total of 227 royal councillors
What was the privy council?
Was the hub of the Tudor political system - an elite executive board.
Exclusively men
Advised the ruler and administered the realm
Appointed magistrates in the localities and served themselves as justices of the peace in a wide variety of counties
Managed national defence and fortifications
Enforced law and order and regulated economic affairs
What was parliament and it’s purpose?
Parliament was the nations most important institution
Parliament formed a point of contact between crown and nation
They agreed to legislation put forward by the king and council
When the king’s ordinary finances were not enough he would request extra-ordinary finances. Had to be agreed by parliament
What were regional councils?
Two areas or England had their own provincial councils - Wales and the North
Closely linked to the royal council as they enjoyed similar administrative and judicial power
Had the authority to swiftly enforce the law and both were subordinate to Henry
What were the Justices of Peace?
Was used to control the local populace so that it was obedient via local officials such as J of P and sheriffs
The king communicated with them through a series of writs - written orders
