Problems Facing Henry VII In England

Question 1

Particular problems facing henry were:
(3)

Answer 1

1. Nobles whose wealth and territorial power made them potential rivals to the crown
2. Law and order, Uneven control that the crown had over the kingdom: stronger in the more populated areas of the south and east, looser in borderlands especially with the lack of a developed system of local administration
3. Poor finances of the crown, depleted by wars at home and abroad

Question 2

The nobility, what was the problem? (4)

Answer 2

• make sure they didn’t become too powerful as can cause rebellions
• limit the number of nobles
• nobles marrying into powerful families which could cause powerful block towards henry
• retaining armies

Question 3

How did henry solve the problem of the nobility ?

Answer 3

• limited the number of nobles so they were easier to control and less land to give out
• patronage (monarch granting special favours, such as land or positions of court to retain their support)
• acts of attainders (seizing land and titles and possessions of nobles where he suspected disloyalty e.g. Thomas Howard)
• nobles had to ask permission to marry

Question 4

Law and order, what was the problem?

Answer 4

Uneven control over the kingdom from lack of developed system of local administration
Weakened law + order from war of the roses

Question 5

How did henry solve the problem of law and order?

Answer 5

• Attacks on retaining (made sure that army numbers were small)
• JP’s made up of gentry and restored public order and dispensing justice (however they were inconsistent and had limited control till henry increased their powers and restored council of wales!)
• not too much taxation at the moment

Question 6

Finances, how were they a problem?

Answer 6

Poor finances of the crown from previous crowns particularly from the war of the roses
Henry needs finances to retain law and order

Question 7

How did henry solve the problem of finances?

Answer 7

• acts of resumption (reclaimed crown lands)
• uses taxes effectively otherwise would cause rebels
• parliamentary races which increased revenue of land (uses chamber more as more efficient)