MEDIEVAL BREADTH Study 1: Nobles Flashcards
How were major landowners useful to the king in terms of giving advice?
Expected the king would take advice from a group of councillors, mainly drawn from the nobility, and crucial that the king WOULDNT LISTEN TO NARROW SET OF VIEWS, especially from lesser nobles (i.e.) Henry IV was criticised for this by parliament, and they asked him to remove knights and instead listen to magnates.
The Council would meet to DISCUSS GOVERNMENT POLICY(i.e.) the Great Council was whoever was available for the king to ask advice from at the time, and the beauty of this is that it could be called at shorter notice, and was therefore a speedier way of dealing with problems.
How can the church be considered a major landowner?
Church held lots of land and so can be considered a major landowner.
How was the church as a landowner a prop to the crown?
Benefits from papal approval (i.e.) Henry Tudor claimed the throne and was assisted by Clement VII’s legal document that stated a Tudor was the rightful King.
Pope needed for permission to marry within prohibited degrees of consanguity, like when Henry VII wanted to marry Elizabeth of York for political reasons but both great-great-grandchildren of John of Gaunt, but Clement VII approved it.
Elizabeth I Act of Exchange 1559.
How could major landowners be seen as potential rivals to the crown?
Richard II was usurped by Henry IV even though he had a strong hereditary claim. Proved that even the right king could be deposed of if there was a powerful noblemen willing to challenge his authority with an army.
Also Southampton plot, Henry Scope and Sir Thomas Grey. However, snitched on by Edmund Mortimer.
What is evidence of retaining helping monarchs to put down uprisings?
It was essential for nobles to have large followings in order to provide armies for the king. Explains why it was never fully banned.
Hotspurs army used to defeat Glyndwr and Henry VII used army of 12K against Lincolns army of 8K. ONE MORE?
How did the feudal system work for lords and their vassals?
Feudal system used to be that lords would have hereditary vassals who would take an oath of fealty not to take up arms against their lord. Vassal would be given fief and protection from attacks, and in return, vassal couldn’t take up arms and had to come to lords aid if needed.
Why did the feudal system start to disintergrate?
Hereditary so couldn’t choose. Moved away from system of vassalage with land and towards annual cash payments in return for services. This way it was also easier to stop paying a disobedient retainer than to confiscate a troublesome vassals land.
How was retaining important for Richard Duke of York?
Helped cause the WoR. York wanted to be Protector of the Realm and used his retinue to block the route for the Great Council, thus leaving only violence to settle the tension.
How did Edward VI make a statue against retaining but also keep it a bit?
In 1468, Edward IV outlawed retaining except for ‘lawful services’ such as domestic servants and legal advisers.
Major loophole and meant Ed could criticize but also keep retaining as it was essential.
How did Henry VII make a statue against retaining but also keep it a bit?
Needed permission through a license to retain, and served out vigorous punishments such as Lord Burgauenny fined £5 per illegal retainer (£70,500 total).
However, could still do it through license, and for loyal associates of Henry VII such as Sir Thomas Lovell, it remained possible to grow affinities.
