Henry VII - Government: Councils, Parliament and justice Flashcards
What was the English government centred around
The king himself and the men he chose to sit on his council
What were the functions of the kings council
To advise the king on matters of state
Administer law and order
Control local government
Who did Henry rely on within government
A small group of councillors who met with him regularly. This group included chief officers of state, who offered stability to the new regime
How did Henry increase the efficiency of central government
Henry formed smaller committees formed from within the council
What are the examples of the smaller committees Henry formed to streamline government
- Acts of Livery and Maintencance
- The Court of General Surveyors - These audited revenues from Crown Lands
- The Council Learned in the Law - responsible for wardship, marriage and relief for all the kings tenants, and the collection of feudal dues.
What role did regional councils play in governing the kingdom
The government was entrusted to key men appointed by the king to govern through regional councils.
Thomas Howard - Council of the North
Jasper Tudor - Council in Wales
Edward Poyning - Council of Ireland
How was the local government governed
The key unit of local government was the county.
The sheriff and the Justice of the Peace were the two most important officials in governing localities
What were the Sheriffs responsible for within local government
- Managing parliamentary elections
- Peacekeeping and detention of criminals
What were the Justices of the Peace
Royal officers responsible for government at county level
What were the JPs responsible for within local government
- They dispensed justice in courts known as quarter sessions, which were held 4 times a year and responsible for cases in localities
In these courts they had the power to arrest, try, and imprison as well as issue a range of punishments up to the death penalty
How were serious offences dealt with
With the court of Assize. These included crimes like treason and rebellion.
Even more serious offences were tried at the Court of Kings bench. This could override any decision by any lower level court
How many times was parliament summoned during Henry’s reign
7 times. 5 during the first decade when he was insecure
Why was parliament called most often
To pass Acts of Attainders that were designed to subdue his political opponents
Why else was parliament called other than to pass AOA
To amend legislation and to carry out his policies against riots and retaining
Acts with social discipline, such as 1495 where rules on wages and hours of work were laid down
What does Henry’s decreased use of parliament towards the end of his reign show
It shows that all power derived from the crown and can show Henrys success in consolidating such power
