New Monarchy (1471-1483) Flashcards
What are the four indications of New Monarchy?
1) Different from traditional medieval monarchy, most notably in that the power of the king has increased significantly at the expense of
the nobility.
2) Increased centralisation of power
3) Increased royal control of law and order, the role of the nobility being reduced, corruption tackled, and royal officials taking a much greater role.
4) Greater bureaucratisation of government departments and systems, such as the collection of royal revenue (money).
What did the royal household have to do with New Monarchy?
The king ruled and working directly through his own household officers and servants rather than through government departments such
as the Chancery and Treasury. This gave the king greater control and direction, streamlined the processes of government, and meant actions and policies could be implemented much
quicker.
Was Edward IV the originator of New Monarchy?
Whilst Edward IV certainly used concepts which would later become New Monarchy under Henry VII - as his increased use of the nobility did not align with new Monarchy and his policies such as benevolences did not provide a long term new method of monarchy.
Define Chamber finance:
Rather than all the Crown’s revenues – from its estates, customs duties, loans, parliamentary taxation, etc– being collected through the Exchequer, they were collected for, accounted, stored and supervised by the king’s personal household department of the Chamber. The king had direct access to these officials and also to the revenue held in the Chamber. It also meant Edward could ensure he had the money to meet household expenses.
Issues of Law and Order pre 1461
Before 1461 England struggled to enforce law & order due to factors such as struggling to ensure jury members weren’t intimidated etc.
What changes did Edward IV make to Law and Order?
He prohibited the granting of liveries (badges which meant you were hired by a noble) unless approved by the King. - This prevented people being threatened by a large group.
What did Edward do differently with the nobility?
He used them to keep control of regions.
What area did Richard, Duke of Gloucester run?
Richard, Duke of Gloucester essentially ran Northern England and became High Sherriff of the Western Marches
What area did Lord Stanley run?
Cheshire and the North-west
What area did Hastings run?
The Midlands
What were retainers and what did Edward IV think of them?
Edward IV did not seem alarmed by the huge retainers (number of followers) that his powerful nobles held - instead he saw this as Crown strength.
Three times Edward was
presented with a great windfall of land - when?
In 1461 with the attainder of Lancastrians, in 1471 with the fall of the Nevilles, and in 1478 with the forfeiture of Clarence’s vast portfolio of estates
Where did the Woodvilles fall into this?
None of the Woodvilles became powerful peers of the realm, and Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers, was never in possession of a wealthy portfolio of estates. But Edward did raise new men to the nobility in the 1460s, namely William Hastings and William Herbert, and in the 1470s
certainly did not think twice about making his brothers dangerously powerful royal dukes with vast landholdings along with a multiplicity of royal offices.
What did Edward IV’s elevation of the Woodvilles show?
So, clearly is was not a deliberate policy of Edward to reduce the numbers of the nobility or to deny raising new
men to their ranks.
Which members of the nobility was Edward IV close with and why?
He womanised with Hastings and drank with Dorset
Define despotism:
Essentially tyranny - which is expected as a part of New Monarchy is centralising government.
What were the signs of despotism?
1) Execution of Clarence (1478)
2) Benevolences
3) Parliament met increasingly less after 1475 - King didn’t need taxation money so dealt with legislation himself
