Henry VII & Society Flashcards
Nobles and Commoners under Henry VII, The Church and Henry VII
How did Henry control the nobility?
- limiting land, stopping retainers, giving bonds and recognisances to guarantee good behaviour
- did not offer patronage to many noblemen
How many earls did Henry make?
3
How many noblemen were there during Henry’s reign?
- around 50
How were the nobility powerful?
- very wealthy due to owning large areas of land
- which gave them political power
- the King depended on the nobility to maintain law and order in society
What was the hierarchy of commoners?
Gentry
Merchants
Yeomen
Husbandmen
Cottagers and labourers
What was the genry?
wealthy landowners who did not have aristocratic heritage
Who were yeomen?
independent farmers, who had their own land
Was the church wealthy?
- was very wealthy and owned around one-third of land
- received gifts and money from the laity (ordinary people)
How many clergy, monks and nuns were there in England?
35,000 clergy, and 10,000 monks and nuns
What was the clerical hierarchy?
cardinals, then archbishops, then bishops, then priests
Why was the Church powerful?
- The Church’s loyalty was essential to Henry VII politically
- higher clergy were well educated and often held positions of government
- The Church supported Henry VII as King of England. As such, the duty of obedience to the king’s will was taught at a local level through parish churches
An example of higher clergy that held positions of government:
John Morton was Archbishop of Canterbury and Henry VII’s Lord Chancellor
What was the significance of the Church in Henry’s society?
- Not many commoners could understand the Bible because it was written in Latin (art and imagery was very important)
- The Church’s theological role was very important but it also served an important social function
- Important to village identities
What are the 7 Catholic sacraments?
Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing the sick, Holy Orders, Matrimony
