Life In 1603 Flashcards
What form of army could the crown not afford, so what did they have to rely on?
They couldn’t afford a standing army and had to rely on the militia consisting of men 16-60 who were physically fit and attended annual musters. From 1573 a few men had special training and formed ‘trained bands.’
Administrative machinery could form orders through the offices of Lords…
Privy Seal and Lord Chamberlain.
What financial departments were included in the administrative bureaucracy ?
The Court of Wards, Exchequer, and Duchy of Lancaster.
What were limitations to administrative bureaucracy?
- No clear divisions between politicians and administrators. Overlaps in finance and administration.
- Low salaries.
- Only 1000 officials.
What do revisionist historians argue about parliaments power gain from the 1530s?
It was limited.
Evidence against this includes the reformation during Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Elizabeth I’s reign, which gave new power in deciding church matters.
Parliament had rights to levy taxes and sanction local concerns in ‘ancient constitution.’
What is the Neale-Notestein argument?
1924 - Wallace Notestein argues early Stuart House of Commons wanted to win initiative.
1950s - JE Neale argued parliament committed constitutional aggressions.
Revisionist historians argue relations were ‘points of contact’ as the House of Commons was equally valued to the House of Lords and few MPs agitated the King.
How often did parliament meet in the 45 years of Elizabeth’s reign? How about between 1603-40?
They met 13 times in Elizabeth’s reign and 9 times between 1603-40.
Gaps in parliament include 1614-21 and 1629-40.
What were advantages of parliament?
There were different factions that could express differing views. Patronage was offered to retain nobility and get greater peerage support.
Sir Robert Cecil : “ for a king not to be bountiful were a fault.”
Why did the nobility and gentry need the crown and why did the crown need them?
Gentry and nobility needed influence and low taxes.
The crown needed governing of local authorities and men from London were requested to go to their estates to do this.
In local government who were JPs and what did they do?
Members of the commissions of the peace.
Had judicial and administrative duties which extended beyond 1600s.
Maintained law and order.
Criminal jurisdiction alone or at petty sessions.
Attended county quarter sessions.
Executed legislation for poor relief, vagrancy, apprenticeships and social legislation.
Unpaid but had valued place.
What did crown appointed assize judges do?
They visited countries to hear legal cases.
Who were Lord lieutenants (wealthy noblemen), and deputy lieutenants, (landed elite)?
They were in local government and appointed regularly from mid 1500s as single or multiple counties to organise militia.
Who were sheriffs?
Appointed to attend county courts where knights of the shire were elected.
What was the range of roles in central administration to local government?
High and petty constables in hundreds to church wardens, overseers of the poor, and parish road surveyors.
Yeomen were wealthy farmers.
Sir Thomas Smith called those below yeomen ‘ the fourth sort of men who do not rule,” (1583), but people could be alecunners and constables.
In 1640s, Cornish parish, London, what proportion of people were in local government?
1/16
