How far do you agree that, throughout the period 1399-1509, maintenance was the key problem facing late medieval English kings? Flashcards
Agree- Bolingbroke
Richard II (say about how Henry Bolingbroke Over-mighty subject was able to use his substantial retinue to usurp) in his 1st parliament, states ‘with the help of my kin and of my friends’ Thinly veiled reference to his strong military support. Able to squash Hotspur and Glyndwr rebellion
P1- Warwick
New, more fluid system of social relationships was a key Cause of civil unrest and widespread destabilisation of society. The loyalty of large retinues to individual noblemen could be a factor in making them ‘over-mighty’, as in effect they could be used as private armies, especially with the birth of liverymen which were men with little connection with their retainer and lords used them to extend their retinues unduly. York and Warwick. When Warwick was dissatisfied with Edward IV, he was able to get Henry VI readepted. Large retinue/affinity
Depends on king and strength of governance
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.
No- retinues were needed if lords were to provide the necessary number of armed men for the king’s wars.
contemporaries regarded it as essential that great nobles had large followings; e.g. a magnate would be expected to have a large number of servants who resided in his household, as well as a retinue of men bound to him via indentures. 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. Signifies that they had the potential to make or break a monarch’s power.
P3??? Another factor instead- Popular Rebellion
Hotspur- 1402 eldest Percy son had obtained numerous territories and responsibilities in the border areas of Wales and Scotland, providing him with an almost complete monopoly on military and political power in North Wales and the East March, which were areas crucial to the ongoing security of the Lancastrian regime. 1403. Earl of Worcester. In Cheshire, they issued proclamations against Henry IV, claiming their allegiance to Richard II.
The Southampton Plot 1415. To kill Henry and replace with Edmund Mortimer, the earl of March. Leaders: Richard of Coinsburgh, Henry Scope and Sir Thomas Grey. Included Scottish & welsh rebels, Earl of Northumberland + his men plus Lollards. Oldcastle-1414, kidnap and force to accept Lollard views or murder him. Though only 220 involved, Historian C.T Allmand claimed it highlighted the potential security issue of the country whilst Henry was going to invade France. Also more of a threat because endeavored to conspire with enemies of England, including the Scots and the Welsh.
but strengthened control in long term through things like statutes.
Cade’s Rebellion- alias of John Mortimer, spread from Kent to Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Essex. Midlands, the South and the West e.g. Bishop Aiscough. Defiance to authority when killed Sir Humphry Stafford and William Stafford, ambushing a group of the king’s men. Also lord Saye execution. King fled to Kenilworth Castle and rebels briefly took control of the capital. 46000 men
