Role of the monarchy, nobility & gentry

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

A society based on hierarchy and expected to be obedient to their social superior

• Top was God and then the Monarch (power was limited because they needed the support of the gentry and nobility)
• if there was a local disorder they (gentry and nobility) would be responsible for dealing with it

Question 2

Nobility

Answer 2

Below the Monarch
Groups to help the monarch to govern + held the highest titles e.g Duke, Earl & Viscount
- Pop grew from over 2 mill (early 16th cent) to over 4 in 1600 - nobility was tiny but powerful and estimate half 10% of land available
- Saw themselves as natural friends, leaders etc + relied on monarchs to protect their lands and in turn relied on them
- If involved in rebellion relationships broke down

Question 3

Gentry

Answer 3

• 5,000 families of knights and esquires
• Esquires slightly lower than knights + no title
• The gentry had a military role but were too involved in local gov + landowners yet estates less extensive
• Possible to rise through marriage, service to the king and inheritance - fall through miscalculation / economic hardship

Question 4

Yeomen and artisans

Answer 4

Below land-owning elites

• Yeoman prosperous farmers tending to their own lands
• may have been 60,000 by 1600 + financially secure because less affected by inflation/rent increase
• Artisans and skilled craftsmen lived in towns / large villages - prosperous in the wool and cloth industry (main English export)
• Before 1549 often provided the leadership and shaped the demands of pop. rebellion + better educated and natural leaders
• 2nd half groups were less involved (more in local gov.)

Question 5

Peasants

Answer 5

Majority of Eng. the population worked in rural areas and the economy was based on agriculture

• Worked on land for landowners - did not own land which they lived on & reliant on the production of food
• Most vulnerable to social and economic changes e.g poor harvests, price and rent increases
• 2/5 lining and any s & e crisis push them into hardship, anger and rebellion

Question 6

Vagrants / Beggars

Answer 6

People w/o masters roaming the countryside

• Feared bc everyone was meant to be under control + threat to social order bc movement could lead to spread of rumours and dangerous ideas
• Harshly treated and punished under Tudor Acts of Parliament

Question 7

Monarchy and Gov

Answer 7

Monarchy was personal + a sensible would take advice even if they didn’t act on it + made important decisions e.g foreign policy

• Essential ruler was adult, competent and male (assume women were incapable) + duty to protect from invasion and lead army into battle, protect rights of their subjects
• Powers curbed by Magna Carts + development of other branches e.g parliament
• Ignore this e.g Richard III & II were labelled as tyrants and overthrown
• 1485 complex system evolved to both help and hinder the monarch - inc more informal bodies (Royal Council Henry VII) + formal e.g Council = central and tended tp remain om London exc. Privy and Council