Henry VII - Nobles

Question 1

The number of new nobles created under Hnery’s reign

Answer 1

Only three - comparably less than the eight created under the reign of Edward

Question 2

The reasons for the “Carrot and Stick Policy”

Answer 2

It was important that Henry gave out rewards to loyal nobles as well as punished disloyal ones, both to deter them from disobeying him and also make sure they followed his laws. If he only punished them and never gave rewards, he would lose support

Question 3

“Carrots” - Examples of patronages bestowed by Henry

Answer 3

Titles and honours - usually given to members of the gentry as an alternative to land (Henry did not want any noble to become overly-wealthy)

Question 4

“Carrots” - The Order of the Garter

Answer 4

• A special honour given to those who served the king well. However, there was the danger of some considering it a scant reward (eg. Thomas Stanley)
• Henry installed 37 more Knights of the Garter than any other king

Question 5

“Carrots” - How the use of the Council encouraged loyalty from nobles

Answer 5

A place on the council showed that a noble was trusted by the king. Like Edward, Henry was also willing to appoint non-nobles. It was a well-received reward, provided it was only used sparingly

Question 6

“Carrots” - How the use of the Great Council encouraged loyalty from nobles

Answer 6

• Given to key nobles
• Was only called 5 times under Henry’s reign under events of emergency
• Was also an excellent method of control for Henry, as the nobles couldn’t then legally go against his decisions

Question 7

“Carrots” - How Henry ensured that nobles and those in power were unlikely to turn against him

Answer 7

Henry rewarded loyalty, rather than giving rewards so as to secure loyalty – this meant he could trust most of his council as they had already proven themselves to him before

Question 8

“Sticks” - An example of Henry’s control over noble marriages to prevent overly-powerful families

Answer 8

1496 – Katherine of Buckingham was fined £6,000 for marrying without the king’s permission (this law was enforced to prevent overly-powerful families from emerging)

Question 9

“Sticks” - Acts of Escheat

Answer 9

Land owned by nobles passed onto the crown if there were no heirs

Question 10

“Sticks” - Claiming relief

Answer 10

A form of inheritance tax – people paid relief when inheriting estates

Question 11

“Sticks” - Anti-Retaining laws

Answer 11

• 1485 - Nobles were made to swear in parliament that they wouldn’t illegally retain troops. This was a deliberate attempt to limit noble power and prevent a possible uprising via use of a private army
• Lord Abergavenny fined £70,000 for retaining without a license
• Earl of Oxford fined £10,000
• Henry even indicted his own mother, showing his ruthless enforcement of these laws

Question 12

“Sticks” - Wardship

Answer 12

Henry took over the estates of minors if their parents died. Once they were old enough they had to pay a fee to get the land back. Henry made £350 in wardships, which went up to £6000 by 1503

Question 13

“Sticks” - Bonds and Recognisances

Answer 13

• Formal obligations of debt, usually fines imposed upon unruly nobles
• Although most of the fines were never fully paid, they were mainly just a method of enforcing good behaviour
• Of the 62 noble families, 46 were at some point under Henry’s financial control during his reign

Question 14

“Sticks” - Acts of Attainder

Answer 14

• If a noble went against the king, they would lose all of their lands
• Henry passed 138 attainders and reversed 48 of them
• Acts of Attainder can be seen as both a “carrot” and a “stick”

Question 15

Decrease of Noble Families

Answer 15

Number of noble families decrease to 35 under Henry’s reign - however, this was due to natural deaths rather than Henry’s actions. They were simply not replaced

Question 16

Name of Henry’s closest friend, who was a noble

Answer 16

Oxford

Question 17

Treatment of Sir William Stanley

Answer 17

1506 - fined £245,610 for failing to register full revenue