Maintenance 4 - Role of Parliament Flashcards
What were the limitations of parliament in the Tudor period?
- Not a regular part of Tudor government - met only 13 times over Elizabeth’s 45 year reign.
- Met only when the monarch wanted and could be dissolved or prorogued at any point the monarch wished.
What role did parliament play in the maintenance of political stability under Henry VII?
- Henry VII helped secure his rule through Acts of Livery and Maintenance in 1487 and 1504, which clamped down on illegal retaining, which had caused unrest.
- Acts of Attainder were passed: Henry VII’s parliament passed 138 Acts.
What role did parliament play in maintaining political stability over nobles/gentry?
- House of Lords tried nobles who had been involved in rebellions, such as Hussey and Darcy after the Pilgrimage of Grace, Dacre after the Northern Earls and Essex after his rebellion.
- Later, parliament, rather than rebellion, was used by the gentry to express grievances and to influence policy.
How did parliament maintain stability by protecting monarchs?
Passed bills to protect them, such as one passed to protect Elizabeth from Catholic plots in 1571.
What was the purpose of the series of councils under the Tudor Government and why were they important (especially in areas further from London)?
- King’s council, which became the Privy Council during the 1530s, and the series of regional councils were set up to put the monarchs wishes into practice and enforce laws.
- They were important in areas far from London because the King’s writ was more difficult to enforce due to the power of local families (Irish Clans for example).
What was the role of the Privy Council in maintaining stability?
- Over 200 men attended Henry VII attended the council meetings but only around 20 attended regularly (some trivia from the revision guide).
- By 1540 a select group formed the Privy Council, which developed as a result of the POG and Henry’s need for advice.
- Grew important under Elizabeth and by the end of the period it was meeting daily.
- Implemented policies such as the Elizabethan Church Settlement and the crushing of unrest in Ireland.
- Carried out routine work which helped maintain stability, including organising JPs.
What were the 4 regional councils and how did they function?
- Council of the North, Council of Wales, Council of the West and Council of Ireland.
- Received their orders from the council in London but also became administrative and judicial bodies.
How did the Council of the North help maintain stability?
- Yorkist creation and dominated by Yorkist families, such as the Percys, and to increase control Henry VII appoints Earl of Surrey as his representative. Surrey needed to prove his loyalty having supported the Yorkist cause.
- Remodelled after the POG, in an attempt to increase royal control.
- Edward and Mary returned power to traditional families of the area, but after Northern Earls Elizabeth appointed her cousin as president and there was no further unrest, despite the regions support for Catholicism.
How did the Council of Wales help maintain stability?
With no very powerful landowners the region was less of a problem and saw no rebellions.
How did the Council of the West help maintain stability?
Set up in 1538 following the Exeter Conspiracy as there was no power family in the region and there was also a fear of French invasion. The council lasted only two years; unrest broke out in 1549.
How did Council of Ireland help maintain stability?
- Least successful council.
- Had to rely on clan chiefs to achieve stability while use of English governors created unrest.
