Royal Progresses Flashcards
What was the ‘Royal Progresses’?
- All Tudor monarchs used progresses in order to enhance respect and obedience in localities - Local communities show loyalty by greeting them with elaborate festivities.
- Monarch able to address local instability or misgovernment through direct intervention.
- Journeys made by monarch and their court in order to be seen and to see people in localities, increase visibility – politically restless population may be subdued by physical presence of monarch, remind localities of military and legal power.
- Also a way of showing off wealth and prestige of the Court.
- Opportunity for localities to raise grievances with monarch, or seek patronage.
What were Henry VII’s Progresses?
extensive to enhance control
o Extended progress to midlands and north when facing challenges to his rule.
o Travelled with as much magnificence as possible.
o Challenges between 1487 and 97, marched head of army to deal with rebellion himself – sight of king encourage obedience and loyalty among subjects.
What were Henry VIII’s Progresses?
Lesser extent, neglected the North
o Progress every summer, stayed in own palaces such as Hampton Court.
o Court of 1000 people joined him, housed and fed by communities.
o 1535 visited Gloucestershire and Bristol Channel – prevent rebellions in religiously conservative SW of England, in 1536 the SW did not rise up after receiving a visit from Henry.
o North rose up most significantly in 1536 – hadn’t received a visit; demand of the rebels was the parliament be held in North, reflecting feelings of neglect by a government based in the south.
o Rectified his neglect of North in 1541 – progress to York, only persuaded to travel after reports of political unrest.
What were the later Tudors’ progresses?
o Elizabeth and court went on progresses every summer – not led by political concerns, but also economic concerns and desire to save money and she could stay in houses of her leading local nobility and gentry.
o Like Henry, majority of travels were in South, East and Midlands.
o Northern progresses to Lincolnshire and Staffordshire, never ventured to farthest regions of her country such as Yorkshire or Cornwall – used LLs and JPs.
o Visited homes of Robert Dudley (23 times) and William Cecil (20 times).
o Enhanced authority and improved relationship with men whom she trusted to run local government on her behalf.
