Parliament Flashcards
Why did Henry need experienced councilors?
He was a usurper king and needed guidance from trusted individuals who had served Edward IV. These were often churchmen or lawyers
Name 5 of the king’s counsilors
John Morton, Richard Fox, Sir Reginald Bray, Sir Thomas Lovell and Edmund Dudley
Who was Henry’s Archbishop of Canterbury?
John Morton until 1501
What was the role of the JP’s?
To enforce the king’s laws and deal with justice locally. They had to keep law and order in the localities and collect taxes
Who were the JP’s?
Often members of the gentry that wanted to gain recognition and prestige. Class below the nobility that wanted local power. There were roughly 18 per county and replaced on a annual basis
How did the role of JP’s change?
Henry increased the status and workload of JP’s but continued to supervise them. They could arrest people in suspicion of rebellion and could grant bail for those waiting on trail. Dealt with more serious cases than previous JP’s
Name 5 ways in which JP’s benefited Henry
Henry didn’t have to pay them. The system weakened the power of the nobility. JP’s dealt with cases that would take up Henry time. The king became more aware of regional problems. The king could remove them easily if they were inefficient
Name some weaknesses of JP’s
They did not always keep order and were not as effective as the paid civil service. Crimes continued to go unpunished without a police force
Name 3 of Henry’s councils
Councils of the North, Wales and Ireland
Who controlled the North?
Earl of Northumberland until his death in the Yorkshire rebellion in 1489. It was taken over by the Earl of Surrey who had less power and land
How many times was parliament called?
7 times with the majority in the first 10 years of his reign. He did not over or under use parliament
Why did Henry call parliament?
To give him the title of king before marrying Elizabeth of York. To pass laws (tunnage and poundage) and back Henry’s decisions. To ask for money - he asked for £90,000 in 1504 but was only granted £40,000
Who dominated parliament?
The House of Lords - they had more power and wealth. Not democratic.
What was Henry’s first parliament grant?
The Acts of Attainder before Bosworth in 1485
What happened in 1504?
Henry passed 50 Acts of Attainder and passed laws to control retaining (against those who supported Edmund de la Pole)
