Henry VII: Government - Parliament

Question 1

What was parliament’s two main functions in the 13th century?

Answer 1

• To pass laws
• Grant taxation to the Crown

Question 2

What are the two houses in parliament?

Answer 2

• House of Commons
• House of Lords

Question 3

House of Lords

Answer 3

• Was the more important of the two houses
• Comprised of the Lords Spiritual (bishops and abbots of major monasteries) and the Lord Temporal (nobility)

Question 4

House of Commons

Answer 4

• Comprised 2 MP’s from each county, 2 MP’s from each borough and representatives of the two universities (Oxford and Cambridge)
• Right to vote was largely restricted to men of property, though precise voting qualification varied in boroughs

Question 5

How did Henry VII use parliament?

Answer 5

• Henry’s early parliaments dealt with national security and finances
• Used first 2 parliaments to pass numerous Acts of Attainders
• Used first parliament to grant tonnage and poundage (custom revenues) for life
• Used parliament to receive extraordinary revenue (taxes for war)

Question 6

Statistics

Answer 6

• Henry called seven parliaments throughout his reign
• Henry called five of his parliaments in the first ten years of his reign
• The parliament of 1504 placed strictures (stopped) the king applying for more extraordinary revenue