Henry VII Society Flashcards
What is a caste?
A class or group of people who inherit exclusive privileges or are perceived as socially distinct
What is the peerage?
A group of people who held one of the 5 ranks of aristocracy (duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron); they were considerable landowners, excised considerable power in their localities and were usually members of the house of lords
What are sumptuary laws?
Laws that attempted to regulate how individuals should dress depending on social status
Give some features of the gentlemen
- only about 50 - 60 men
- relied on being liked by the king
- they maintained order in the countryside
- Henry was reluctant to create new peerage titles titles
- He created the Earl of Oxford and Lord Daubeney
- Henry controlled the nobility through bonds and recognisances
How many knights were there in 1490?
500
How much of the land did the gentry own?
15%
How can you become a member of the gentry?
- Have a knighthood
- A coat of arms authenticated by the college of arms
- Considerable income
- Courtly connections
- An imposing country resisdence
What was the ranking of commoners?
- Lawyers
- Merchants
- Craftsmen
- Shopkeepers
- Tradesmen
- Farmers
- Labourers
- Peasants
- Vagrants
What are grazing rights?
A legal term referring to the right of a user to allow their livestock to feed in a given area
What is Bastard feudalism?
This system implied a reciprocal relationship between the magnate and his retainers. In return for service, which could be military service or rewards such as local office, money or land
What Kenneth B McFarlane’s view on bastard feudalism?
That the system should be seen in a positive light as a natural response to changes in the period
What is retaining?
Where nobles retained men for services and granted them liveries (uniform) or cash fees which helps to increase the noble’s wealth and power
When was the first retaining act?
1487
How did Henry manage retaining?
He passed the retaining act in 1504 which restricted the amount of retained men a noble could have. If they wanted more, they had to get a license from the crown. Henry did this to reduce the noble’s power as they could threaten his throne. Their power rose because of bastard feudalism under Edward I’s reign
What happened to Lord Bergavenny?
He was found illegally retaining and he was fined £100,000
