Local government/ domestic policy Flashcards
What were the 3 ways which Henry’s domestic policy was carried out ?
1) through the exploitation of Crown Lands
2) Through the encouragement of more frequent use of the royal council and its offshoots for the settlement of local lawsuits
3) By increasing the powers of the Justices of the Peace (JPs)
What were Justices of the Peace (JPs)
These were chief magistrates who were responsible for general administration in a county.
Within Henry’s domestic policy with the use of local government, where is the argument of new monarchy evident ?
This is because Henry had gone a long way to extending his control of Peace by centralising the system of local government.
What was a sheriff ?
Chief law enforcement officer in a county.
Who were the most important royal officials during Henry’s reign ?
The Sheriff and the JP continued to be the most important royal officials in each county
How did the responsibilities of the Sheriffs during Henry’s reign increase ? (2)
1) Became the Crown’s representative in every county throughout England
2) took on greater responsibility for the conduct and management of Parliamentary elections.
How was the Crown (Henry) able to exert greater control over Sheriffs compared to JPs ?
Unlike JPs, who were appointed to the commission of peace for life, sheriffs were selected annually.
When did JPs meet and dispense justice in the localities ?
They met and dispensed justice in local courts known as Quarter sessions (meeting four times a year)
What was the role of the Senior courts or Courts of Assize ?
Senior courts and Courts of assize, were for more serious offences that the JPs would typically not handle and were staffed by judges appointed by the crown.
What was the highest criminal court in the Land ?
The court of the King’s bench
What kind of powers did the Court of the King’s bench hold under Henry ?
They had the power to override decisions made at the quarter sessions and the Courts of Assize.
After 1485, what proclamation were JPs commanded to read out at the beginning of each quarterly session ?
stating that grievances against JPs could be taken to either an assize judge or the King.
Who was the King dependant on for the maintenance of law & order in the counties ?
JPs
Who were the JPs dependant on for the maintenance of law and order in the countryside ?
They were dependent on lesser officials in the countryside to bring offenders to them.
What local government institutions helped JPs maintain law and order in the countryside of each county
By law, every hundred ( a subdivision of a county) had to provide itself with a high constable and every parish (units of local administration for both religious and civil purposes) with a petty constable.
