Involving the localities in governance Flashcards
Why was the local gov so important to the monarch?
To assert royal control in the regions further from London
Had to suppress rebellion and collect tax
What were the marcher regions
areas that bordered Wales and Scotland, hardest to control: own laws and customs
nobility controlled areas = quasier kings
own legal system - blood feuds + lawlessness
Why was control of marcher regions important
powerful members of the nobility could use these militarised regions to build up their own power bases (Henry VII raised army to defeat Richard III on his estates at Pembroke, South Wales
Temporary attempts to control Wales before the 1530s
used the council of wales based at ludlow castle headed by trusted Jasper Tudor Duke of Bedforf
Ruling through a figurehead of council
1) 1501: 15 year old prince Arthur sent to create permanent royal presence
2) 1525: Princess mary sent as figurhead of council
The Law in Wales Act 1535 (Act of Union)
Marcher lordships abolished and replaced with 12 English-style counties
English system of local government introduced in each new Welsh county– sheriffs, coroners and JPs
Welsh counties and towns allocated 2 MPs who would sit in English parliament – previously Welsh regions hadn’t participated in law making
Why was the Law in Wales Act 1535 (Act of Union) created?
Cromwell introduces
as a response to lawlessness and the limitations of royal authority
Result of Law in Wales Act 1535
End to traditional military power of marcher lords
Wales remained directly under the control of the crown
Law and order improved
Region became less of a threat to political stability
The Law in Wales Act 1542
Introduced system of English law into Wales
.New court system called courts of great sessions introduced - tried criminal cases such as theft or attack with no chance to appeal
Control over wales - Elizabeth’s reign
By Elizabeth’s reign the Marcher Council had adapted further to include the Lord Lieutenants
Why was control of the North difficult?
Geographically remote
poor communication
threat of Scottish invasion
When did royal intervention in the north become permanent and direct?
Pilgrimage of Grace in 1536 - Cromwell remodelled council to prevent further unrest and strenthen power
Why could Henry VIII not trust noble families in the north to restore order
key Noble families – Dacres, Cliffords, Percys were involved in complex feuds
Strengths of the council of the north
Bishop or nobility from the south as president – no vested interests, remain neutral in decision making:
Rest of the council made up of local gentry, lawyers and clergy that came from the north
How did the power of the monarchy increase through the power of the council of the north
, the position of traditional nobility was undermined who were no longer able to rule the North as they pleased
Further changes to the council of the north under elizabeth
Attempted to insert more Southerners – caused resentment among northern nobility and led to rebellion i
Council became responsible for combatting recusancy (practice of people not going to the church) because North was openly Catholic and may rebel against her Supremacy 1559
What were borough MPs?
towns which had the right to send two MPs to sit in parliament
Usually not actually townsmen, tended to not even live in the towns they represented -
Reason for the increasing borough representation
increasing population led to an increase in number of borough constituencies created
Result of increasing borough representation
led to an increase of corresponding merchants and lawyers being elected e.g. wentworth and cope
men were skilled and confident enough to chakkenge existing system and suggest reform
Limitations of borough representation
during reformation parliament it cost 70 pound per town to fund just one MP so poorer towns like Dunwich allowed gentry Edumund rose to cover own costs
How borough representation extended monarch’s power
Many of the new boroughs were in regions controlled by the Crown itself e.g. Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster
Crown could use these boroughs to place its own candidates in parliament who were loyal and experienced
Why was the majority of the population illiterate?
education was provided by church and guild schools but was limited and basic
How did literacy improve and for who?
number of schools for yeomen increased (richer peasants who had trade/land to sell)
Impact of educating the Yeomen
enabled them to take part in local government - becoming involved in political system meant they were more likely to defend rather than attack it
Yeomen used legal system for disputes rather than violence
Who were JPs
members of nobility and gentry were local officials that kept law and order
Role of JPs
responsible for overseeing local justice (deciding cases of felony/trespasses) + expected to govern county on the behalf of the crown (administrating poor law, controlling vagrants and supervising fixed wages)
Role of JPs under Henry VII
Usurper = vulnerable to rebellion
appointed members of his Court as JPs
JPs could act on information received about suspects without waiting for jury to be summoned and had power ti inquire complaints of corruption / illegal retaining by the nobility
Role of JPs under Henry VIII:
Wolsey made JPs fill questionnaire’s about law and order in their region
Cromwell was careful to check who was appointed as a JP as they were expected to enforce supremacy and Reformation
Role of JPs under Edward
role enforcing Edward’s religious changes – 1552 JPs were ordered to enforce the Second Prayer Book
Role of JPs under Elizabeth
local gentry had realised that becoming a JP was crucial to social and political advancement so Cecil kept close eye
JPs had acquired powers to deal with new felonies introduced by the government, including riots, damage to property, with-craft and recusancy.
also now responsible for tudor poor laws
