Henry VII's Government Flashcards
What were the main functions of the King’s council?
To advise the king
To administer the realm
To make legal judgements
Who was John Morton?
He was the Lord Chancellor throughout Henry’s reign and was responsible for administration.
He worked against Richard III and was promoted by Henry to Archbishop of Canterbury in 1486.
Who was Sir Reginald Bray?
A trusted servant of Henry VII
He led the council learned in Law
What was The Council Learned ?
Developed in the second half of Henry VII’s reign under Bray’s leadership.
After 1503, it was run by Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley.
Together they raised the extraction of money from the King’s subjects.
What opposition was there to the council learned?
They were hated by the House of Lords because they were below them in the hierarchy but they still had to answer to them.
The fact that they had to raise the extraction of money from the king’s subjects also gave them enemies.
What was the great council?
A gathering of the House of Lords without the House of Commons.
They met 5 times during Henry VII’s reign.
They dealt with issues concerning war and rebellion.
What was the Royal Court?
The centre of government.
Courtiers could obtain support of the King through the Royal Court.
It was presided over by the Lord Chamberlain.
The court also contained a lot of ‘hangers-on’
What caused Henry VII to make changes to the Royal Court?
Sir William Stanley (lord chamberlain), was accused of being involved in Perkin Warbeck’s conspiracy in 1494.
What changes did Henry make to the Royal Court?
He created a privy chamber, compromising on his closest personal servants who could advise him.
This made it more difficult to those who were out of favour to regain the king’s support.
What were the functions of Parliament?
To pass laws
To grant taxation to the crown
mostly during a time when he was insecure in his position.
How many times did Henry VII call Parliament?
7 times.
This is because gathering many powerful people in one place could have posed a threat to his reign.
What was the House of Lords?
Compromised of MPs elected into their positions but only wealthy men could vote.
What were justices of the peace?
Maintained law and order in the countryside.
They were responsible for tax assessments, investigations into complaints against local officials and maintenance of law and order.
What were bonds and recognisances used for?
Mostly the king used them to force order and obedience.
What were bonds?
A legal document that forced an individual to complete a specific task, if they failed to do so they would forfeit a set sum of money.
