Problems facing HVII: Finance

Question 1

How did HVII increase the amount of Crown land at his disposal?

Answer 1

The 1486 Act of Resumption reclaimed all Crown lands granted away since the start of the Wars of the Roses
Abandoned the Yorkist practice of distributing lands to royal followers
Attainders and escheats also increased the amount of Crown lands

Question 2

How did HVII exploit feudal dues?

Answer 2

When the Earl of Northumberland was killed in the Yorkshire rebellion of 1489, Henry improved the management of his land’s revenue
In 1503 he appointed a Master of the King’s wards

Question 3

What were the four main types of feudal dues?

Answer 3

Relief (inheritance tax)
Marriage
Wardship
Livery (paid by a ward on reaching adulthood)

Question 4

By how much did Henry increase revenues from feudal dues?

Answer 4

1487: £350
1507: £6,000

Question 5

How did HVII try to exploit revenues from customs duties?

Answer 5

He, like EVI, tried to promote trade and close loopholes

Updated the Book of Rates twice

Question 6

By how much did income from customs duties increase?

Answer 6

From £33,000 per year to about £40,000

Question 7

How did HVII exploit revenues from legal dues?

Answer 7

He increased the use of fines and attainders instead of using traditional forms of discipline

Question 8

Give an example of how HVII exploited revenues from legal dues

Answer 8

The attainder of Sir William Stanley in 1495 brought in £9,000 initially and £1,000 each year thereafter

Question 9

What were bonds and recognisances?

Answer 9

Payments made as a guarantee of good behaviour

Question 10

What body was established to enforce both bonds and recognisances and Loans and Benevolences?

Answer 10

The Council Learned in Law

Question 11

Give a specific example of HVII’s use of bonds and recognisances

Answer 11

The Earl of Westmorland had to pay £10,000 after the Battle of Bosworth

Question 12

What were loans and benevolences?

Answer 12

The king’s right to ask for financial help in particular emergencies

Question 13

How, when, and how much money was raised for war in Brittany?

Answer 13

Benevolences in 1491 brought in £48,000

Question 14

How did HVII exploit extraordinary feudal dues?

Answer 14

£30,000 raise by Parliament for Arthur’s knighthood in 1504

He increased payments from Nobles ‘in distraint of knighthood’

Question 15

What were clerical taxes?

Answer 15

Special taxes which the King could levy on the church, usually in the form of a ‘gift’

Question 16

Give a specific example of how HVII exploited the practice of simony

Answer 16

HVII raised £300 for the post of Archdeacon of Buckingham

Question 17

What taxation reform did HVII attempt to undertake and what was its effect?

Answer 17

HVII tried to implement a form of direct taxation

It was widely resented and quickly abandoned

Question 18

Why did HVII try to avoid parliamentary taxes?

Answer 18

They were often unpopular and triggered two rebellions
(Yorkshire, 1489)
(Cornwall, 1497)