Monarchy and Government

Question 1

What was the Tudor monarch’s role?

Answer 1

• Ruled England, and although a sensible monarch would take advice, they held ultimate authority.
• Protect from invasion, and defend rights and privileges of their subjects.
• Made key decisions on policy and matters like religious and foreign policy.
• Powers curbed by the Magna Carta and the development of other branches of government, such as parliament and the Royal Council.

Question 2

The desired Tudor monarch

Answer 2

Adult, competent and male. It was assumed that women were incapable of ruling their own.

Question 3

By 1485, a complex system of government had evolved which…

Answer 3

…could help and hinder the monarch in their rule.

Question 4

What informal bodies did this system include?

Answer 4

The Royal Court and, from Henry VIII’s reign, the Privy Chamber.

Question 5

What formal institutions did this system include?

Answer 5

The Council and the financial and judicial systems. These institutions were central (national) and apart from the Court and Chamber, they tended to remain in London, which was the capital and the seat of government.

Question 6

What was the Royal Court? (displays of importance)

Answer 6

It served and followed the monarch. it was important for display and entertainment - informal source of power:
- ambitious nobility and gentry came to Court to try to extend their power for patronage.
- important for monarch - emphasise power and wealth to visitors through elaborate and expensive displays, such as tournaments and plays.

Question 7

What was the role of the Royal Household? (domestic needs)

Answer 7

Body of people responsible for the monarch’s domestic needs - kitchens, laundries, gardens; mostly menial servants. Controlled by high-level officials called the Board of the Green cloth.

Grew and shrank according to personal needs of the monarch, sometimes was criticised when it became too large and costly.

Ocassional attempts to reform/reduce size of the Household by the Eltham Ordinances in 1526 by Wolsey. But, he was unsuccessful - no sufficient control over the appointments or king’s desires and wishes.

Question 8

What was the role of the Privy Chamber? (personal access to the monarch)

Answer 8

Living arrangements in Hampton Court Palace structured in a way that restricted access to the monarch.

Great Hall for feasting and formal events.
Watching Chamber - Guard room in which all visitors had to pass.

Presence Chamber - throne room and where the monarch would dine and gossip and news would flow.

Beyond this, the Privy Chamber was a series of rooms where the king and his family lived.