Henry VII's Councils and Parliament Flashcards
The Royal Council
The Royal Council advised Henry and helped him with day-to-day government.
Although 227 men were listed, it was a much smaller group that met. John Morton and Reginald Bray were two important councillors.
The Council Learned in Law
This council was very unpopular. Its aim was to pursue Henry VII’s feudal rights (the various financial payments and soldiers owed to the monarch in return for the land he owned and distributed). The Council Learned in the Law investigated feudal rights that were forgotten or had lapsed. It also enforced bonds and recognisances (obligations to perform certain actions before court). The council increased Crown revenue and kept nobles under scrutiny.
Regional government
Henry VII had a much stronger hold over areas in the south and east of England than the north. He needed to make sure he had control over the potentially troublesome parts of the kingdom. Henry VII recognised that he needed to have the cooperation of local noblemen (who could be more popular than him). He allowed different systems of government for different regions. For example, Wales was controlled by the Council of Wales. Henry VII relied on Justices of the Peace (JPs) to maintain order.
The Privy Chamber
The Privy Chamber was based in the most intimate of Henry VII’s private rooms. Its staff saw to the monarch’s personal needs, so had great access to him. Privy Chamber staff could potentially influence the king’s decisions. The Privy Chamber was staffed by lower ranking members of the Royal Household, not nobles. Henry VII increasingly relied on his Privy Chamber after the treason of Sir William Stanley and other leading members of his Household in 1495.
Henry VII’s first parliament
Parliament helped Henry VII consolidate control after Bosworth. Parliament granted Henry VII customs duty for life. This was standard practice. Acts of Attainder were issued against those who had fought Henry VII at Bosworth. The 1486 Act of Resumption returned to the Crown all the land it had granted away since 1455.
Parliament and taxation
Only Parliament could allow extra taxation. Parliament did this for Henry’s foreign policy in 1489 (Brittany), 1491-2 (France). However, when the Crown became wealthier, Henry VII became less dependent on Parliament.
Parliament and law and order
Parliament passed laws to strengthen law and order.
Parliament established the Star Chamber in 1487.
It passed a law to give JPs more powers in 1495.
Parliament could pass Acts of Attainder (meaning it could assume judiciary powers). These were needed after the Battle of Stoke (1487), the Northern Rebellion (1489) and against Sir William Stanley (1495).
Henry’s use of parliament
Henry VII called parliament only when necessary. Statute law was stronger than royal proclamations. It was used to enforce important, more unpopular, policies.
