Henry VII- nobility

Question 1

Why were the nobility a problem for Henry

Answer 1

• Usurper
• Owned land =powerful
• Needed their advice and enforcement of rule, he had been in exile for 14 years
• They were the group that could provide leadership and force for rebellion

Question 2

Inducement examples (carrot)

Answer 2

Second chance to those who fought at Bosworth (DofN), controlled south
Established prestigious Order of the Garter
Only gave patronage in return for loyal service, not the hope
Issued summons to kings’ council (trust)

Question 3

Sanctions examples (stick)

Answer 3

Acts of Attainder (families lost right to possess land- could be reversed for good behaviour)
Bonds and recognisances (nobles who offended King paid him money for security, discouraged disloyalty)
Retainers limited- Needed a license to keep, with one lord fined £70k
Assertion of feudal rights over marriage, wardship relief and livery
Act of Resumption restored crown lands, made him wealthier and more powerful than all nobles

Question 4

Success of Henry’s inducements and sanctions

Answer 4

Little noble unrest after Simnel’s defear
Number of over-mighty subjects reduced
Number of new nobles created limited, elevation seen as a great privelege

Question 5

Failures of Henry’s inducements and sanctions

Answer 5

Acts of attainder reached 51 from 1504-09, 36/62 noble families involved in bonds and recognisances which caused disquiet
Argued civil war might have broken out if henry didn’t die in 1509 (HARSH METHODS)
Despite having 5x more land than Henry VI, position still not secure

Question 6

Exam qu

Answer 6

Henry VII’s measures of dealing with the nobility were unnecessarily harsh- HFDYA?
How successfully did Henry manage the nobility?