How far do you agree that 1399-1504, the power of the nobility was a source of disorder rather than stability in the kingdom? Flashcards
Intro
In the period 1399-1509, the nobility could either make or break a monarch’s power. While some nobles helped the monarch govern effectively, others presented a significant military challenge and often succeeded in wreaking havoc on the stability in the kingdom. The extent of disorder caused depended on how strong-willed the monarch was.
Paragraph 1- Agree because of usurpations, huge threat to king’s authority .
It could be argued that the power of the nobility was a source of disorder rather than stability in the kingdom because ‘Over-Mighty’ subjects persistently threatened the authority of the king. This is exemplified when Henry Bolingbroke usurped the throne from Richard II after he had disinherited him from his rightful titles. Henry IV made kingship accessible with military might
Unspoken implication that from now on, a king’s conduct lay open to criticism and potential judgement of his subjects. It was now clear to all nobles that an unpopular king could be ousted by an ‘over-mighty subject’ provided he had sufficient military support. very public precedent for a king to be removed because he was unpopular and incompetent. Therefore, long-trm problems.
P1 continued
Moreover, Edward IV was able to take power with a large retinue, removing Henry VI. This was short-lived as Henry’s readeption was brought about by another powerful noble, Richard Neville. This demonstrates how nobles had significant power and were such a high political threat that they could remove a king from his position, regardless of hereditary right ordained by God. They played an active role in deciding who should become king and enforcing it, meddling in the political upheaval that fuelled the battles of the Wars of the Roses and continued it. Without their interference, the challenge to authority would not be as large and the realm would be a lot more stable since.
P2- Agree because of popular rebellions and the funding they gave to it
NEVILLES V PERCIES, 1403 Hotspur’s rebellion ‘Henry Percy King’ with his uncle the earl of Worcester. In Cheshire, they issued proclamations against Henry IV, claiming their allegiance to Richard II. Numerous territories and responsibilities in the border areas of Wales and Scotland so he had an almost complete monopoly on military and political pwer in North Wales and the East March, which were areas crucial to the ongoing security of the Lancastrian regime.
Another problem to stability was the fact that nobles used their wealth and power to create disorder in the kingdom. An example of this is 1405 Scrope’s rebellion, Richard Scrope (the Archbishop of York), as well as a number of noblemen such as the earl of Northumberland, the earl marshal Thomas Mowbray and Lord Bardolf. Unconventional killed priest. Southhampton Plot in 1415. The leaders were the third earl of Cambridge, Henry Scrope of Masham and Sir Thomas Grey. The Earl of Nothumberland also got involved, as well as Scottish and Welsh rebels + Lollards. This shows how many rebelling aspects of Henry V’s reign were coordinated and created a loss of order in the kingdom, since begrudgements were being acted upon, facilitated by nobles.
P2 Continued
Warwick Henry VII
Warbeck- Sir William Stanley. Chamberlain of England so had a very high level of responsibility within the kingdom, and he was the brother of Henry’s own stepfather, Sir Thomas Stanley. Most importantly of all, Staleny’s support has been crucial to Henry at the Battle of Bosworth, according to one chronicle he presented crown to Henry on the battlefield. Disloyalty especially concerning, as he had a strong military power and could muster very large numbers of troops. King james of Scotland got involved. Warbeck 1490, gaining support from the French King, Margaret of Burgundy and James IV of Scotland, who arranged the pretender to marry his cousin. Warbeck tried to invade 3 times, raised a rebel army of a few thousand and besieged city of Exeter, though failed. Gained the very public support of Maximilian, King of the Romans, whom he visited in 1493, also began to gain supporters close to Henry at the English court e.g. Sir William Stanley
P2- Simnel
Simnel 1486. Henry shaky legitimacy as Edmund tudor rumours blood-uncle of wile Margaret so forbidden by canon law if case and mother Lady Margaret Bbeaufort was a descendant of John of Gaunt from his mistress. Earl of Warwick was the grandson of Richard d York who had been popular in Ireland since his 1447 lieutenancy. Battle of Stoke June 1487. Highlighted the fragility of Tudor claim on the throne. 1486 Simnel Conspiracy- supported by Yorkists and Irish + Margaret of Burgundy, who provided 200 men. Weak claim to the throne already so this was politically dangerous, fragility of the Tudor claim on the crown. Irish crowned Simnel king in a ceremony in Dublin 1487, a parliament was held in his name and new coins were minted with his image upon them. Warwick’s first cousin John de la Pole, earl of Lincoln, declared that Simnel was the real Warwick. 4 June, supporters of Simnel invaded England, backed by approx. 2000 German mercenaries and 4000 Irish light infantry.
P3-
They had large retinues, developed substantially by bastard feudalism, so were able to assist in foreign wars, as well as quash rebellions.
The liverymen of nobles who were loyal to the king could prove highly beneficial to a monarch in helping to put down uprisings, as Henry VII discovered 1487 Simnel rebellion. Henry V France Helped Henry V with Agincourt- army of 10,500-12,000. Allowed him to capture Caen, besiege Rouen (capital of Normandy) late July to January 1419, protect claims to French throne by providing military assistance to Anglo-Burgundian Alliance. 10,500 at Normandy. 21 May 1420 Treaty of Troyes.
Able to squash Hotspur and Glyndwr rebellion due to military support Henry IV
Henry VII got greater control over nobles through bonds
Henry VII formulated a novel method for resolving this problem, passed a statute in 1504 that lords had to receive written permission in the form of a licence from the king to retain men and to provide a list of retainers for his approval. Those who disobeyed this law were liable to be fined, and certainly enormous sums were levied on those who retained men illegally.
More on Over-Mighty Subjects
A king’s authority not upheld if relationship with nobility strained, as shown by Richard II + Henry Bolingbroke, as well as Henry VI + York and Warwick. When Warwick was dissatisfied with Edward IV, he was able to get Henry VI readepted. Over-Mighty subjects extremely politically dangerous and had the potential to remove king from the throne. They also used wealth and power to create disorder in the kingdom- an example of this is Hotspur’s rebellion in 1403 with the earl of Worcester which led to the Battle of Shrewsbury. 1405 Scrope’s rebellion, Richard Scrope (the Archbishop of York), as well as a number of noblemen such as the earl of Northumberland, the earl marshal Thomas Mowbray and Lord Bardolf. Therefore relationship with nobility very important, they could make or break a monarch’s power. if favourable relations, helped govern realm effectively, if unfavourable then risk of usurpation and complete breakdown of law and order. Mention Bonville-Courtenay dispute and how they gave their support to Margaret V York.
Conclusion
A late medieval king had a tricky balancing act to achieve- on one hand, he needed to maintain sufficient popularity among nobles so that he could be sure of the support of the majority in times of difficulty; on the other hand, he needed to assert his authority sufficiently to ensure that he was not challenged by them for the throne, or they did not use wealth and power to create disorder inn the kingdom- cade’s army retinue of king joined the army. HENRY VI weak king so yes serious problem
?
The efforts of the major landowners were vital in maintaining peace and security throughout the kingdom on behalf of the monarch e.g. the Percys and the Nevilles in the north. Major landowners were essential in governing the kingdom following the accession of the young Henry VI in 1422 and Richard II. The ability to govern and collect taxes across the country was dependent on powerful magnates e.g. Gloucester on behalf of Edward IV in the 1460s. Monarchs often used members of their family to govern the regions e.g. Jasper Tudor in Wales under Henry VII from 1488. Rewards made to major landowners could guarantee loyalty and support
e.g. Henry V.
