Henry VII - Government: Councils, Parliament and justice Flashcards

1
Q

What was the English government centred around

A

The king himself and the men he chose to sit on his council

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2
Q

What were the functions of the kings council

A

To advise the king on matters of state

Administer law and order

Control local government

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3
Q

Who did Henry rely on within government

A

A small group of councillors who met with him regularly. This group included chief officers of state, who offered stability to the new regime

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4
Q

How did Henry increase the efficiency of central government

A

Henry formed smaller committees formed from within the council

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5
Q

What are the examples of the smaller committees Henry formed to streamline government

A
  1. Acts of Livery and Maintencance
  2. The Court of General Surveyors - These audited revenues from Crown Lands
  3. The Council Learned in the Law - responsible for wardship, marriage and relief for all the kings tenants, and the collection of feudal dues.
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6
Q

What role did regional councils play in governing the kingdom

A

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

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7
Q

How was the local government governed

A

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

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8
Q

What were the Sheriffs responsible for within local government

A
  1. Managing parliamentary elections

2. Peacekeeping and detention of criminals

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9
Q

What were the Justices of the Peace

A

Royal officers responsible for government at county level

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10
Q

What were the JPs responsible for within local government

A
  1. 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

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11
Q

How were serious offences dealt with

A

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

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12
Q

How many times was parliament summoned during Henry’s reign

A

7 times. 5 during the first decade when he was insecure

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13
Q

Why was parliament called most often

A

To pass Acts of Attainders that were designed to subdue his political opponents

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14
Q

Why else was parliament called other than to pass AOA

A

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

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15
Q

What does Henry’s decreased use of parliament towards the end of his reign show

A

It shows that all power derived from the crown and can show Henrys success in consolidating such power

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