Society Flashcards
What was the primary structure of English society at the end of the 15th century?
The feudal system with a hierarchical structure based on land ownership and military service
Society was structured with the monarch at the top, followed by barons, knights, and peasants.
Who were at the top of the feudal system?
Great landowners and senior churchmen
They held power and land, influencing the structure of society.
What was the role of barons in the feudal system?
Barons provided military service to the king and received land in return
They were key figures in maintaining the feudal hierarchy.
What did knights owe to barons?
Homage and military service
Knights were vassals to barons and fought in their armies.
Fill in the blank: The _______ was a significant event that increased social mobility in England.
Black Death
The population was reduced by half, leading to labor shortages and changes in social dynamics.
What was the effect of the Black Death on society?
Increased social mobility and alarm among conservative upper classes
Traditional values were challenged as the labor force changed.
What were sumptuary laws?
Laws that attempted to regulate how individuals should dress based on social status
These laws were an effort by the upper classes to maintain traditional values.
True or False: The bourgeoisie became increasingly important in urban areas during the late 15th century.
True
The middle class emerged as a significant social group in cities like London, Norwich, and Bristol.
What did peasants provide to knights in the feudal system?
Labor and agricultural services
In exchange for protection, peasants worked the land given to them by knights.
Who was responsible for the rise of powerful peasants?
Economic pressures and changes in social mobility
These changes caused instability in the traditional feudal structure.
What was the relationship between the monarchy and the peerage during Henry’s reign?
The Crown relied on the peerage for political influence and support
Henry often trusted certain noble families to maintain stability.
Fill in the blank: The feudal pyramid structure includes the king, ______, knights, and peasants.
barons
Each level of the pyramid had specific responsibilities and privileges.
What was the primary role of the nobility in England during the Tudor period?
The nobility dominated landownership and exercised considerable power in their localities.
How many men typically comprised the peerage in Tudor England?
50-60 men.
What are the five ranks of the aristocracy?
- Duke
- Marquis
- Earl
- Viscount
- Baron
Was the peerage a closed caste?
No, peerage families could die out and be replaced by others who acquired the king’s favour.
What was Henry VII’s approach to creating new peerage titles?
He was reluctant to create new peerage titles, possibly due to mistrust of the nobility.
Who were the trusted military commanders under Henry VII?
- Earl of Oxford (John de Vere)
- Lord Daubeney
What role did the Earl of Northumberland play during Henry VII’s reign?
He controlled the northeast of England on behalf of the Crown.
What was Henry VII’s most important method of controlling the nobility?
Bonds and recognisances.
What term did 19th-century historians use to describe the system of retaining?
Bastard feudalism.
What was the function of retainers in the context of bastard feudalism?
Retainers served as administrators, accountants, or for military purposes.
What legislation did Henry VII use to limit the military power of the nobility?
Legislation against retaining.
True or False: Henry VII completely eliminated the use of retainers.
False; he recognized that loyal retainers were essential for the Crown’s security.
What actions did Henry VI take in response to abuses by nobles?
Parliament passed Acts in 1487 and 1504 and took strong action against individual nobles
This included actions against Lord Bergavenny in 1506, who was fined for illegal retaining.
What was the fine imposed on Lord Bergavenny for illegal retaining?
£100,000
However, he likely paid only €1000 and was pardoned by Henry VIII.
What key realization did Henry VI have regarding nobles?
Nobles were a powerful social force.
What requirement was established for peers and MPs in 1486?
They were required to take an oath against illegal retaining or being illegally retained.
Was the term ‘illegality’ defined in the 1486 oath requirement?
No, illegality was not defined.
What law against retaining was established in 1487?
A law against retaining was established.
What was established by the Act passed in 1504 regarding retaining?
Licences for retaining could be sought.
What is the social status of the gentry in Tudor society?
Directly below the nobility, often great landowners
The gentry were important figures seeking knighthoods as confirmation of their status.
How many knights were there in England around 1490?
About 375 knights
Knights originally had military obligations, which became less essential over time.
What percentage of the country’s land was owned by peers and knights?
15-20%
This highlights their significant role in land ownership.
What was the role of the Church in Tudor society?
A major landowner and a source of spiritual guidance
The Church’s social status varied widely among clergy.
What were the different levels of clergy in Tudor England?
- Cardinals
- Archbishops
- Bishops
- Parish priests
Each level had different responsibilities and social status.
Who was Pope Martin V and what did he declare regarding the Church in England?
Declared that the King of England governed the Church rather than the Pope
This declaration influenced the relationship between the monarchy and the Church.
What was Henry VII’s approach to appointing bishops?
Preferred men with legal training and administrative competence
This approach emphasized governance over spirituality.
What was the ‘middling sort’ in Tudor society?
Educated professionals like lawyers and wealthier merchants
They were at the top of the commoner group.
What role did commoners play in borough corporations and guilds?
Key roles in town councils and groups of craftsmen
This highlights their importance in local governance and trade.
What characterized yeoman farmers in Tudor England?
They owned their own land and farmed substantial properties
Yeoman farmers emerged due to a decline in population and land values.
Who were husbandmen in the context of Tudor society?
Farmers who kept smaller farms and supplemented income by working for the gentry
They were below yeoman farmers in the social hierarchy.
What did Dorek Kene argue about medieval England’s identity?
Medieval England had a stronger sense of a single identity than ever before, despite regional variations.
What were the main agricultural practices in the west and north of medieval England?
Pastoral farming, specifically the rearing of sheep, cattle, and horses.
What type of farming was predominant in the south and east of medieval England?
Mixed farming, which involved growing crops and raising livestock.
How did Londoners perceive northerners?
Londoners tended to look down on northerners for their perceived savagery.
What was a common sentiment among northerners towards southerners?
Northerners were envious of southern riches.
What role did saints’ cults play in local identities in medieval England?
Saints’ cults reinforced local identities by emphasizing significant centres of pilgrimage.
Fill in the blank: In the west and north of medieval England, the main type of agriculture was _______.
pastoral farming.
Fill in the blank: The south and east of medieval England were characterized by _______ farming.
mixed.
True or False: Regional differences in medieval England were solely based on agricultural practices.
False.
What two cities are mentioned as important centres of pilgrimage?
Canterbury and Durham.
What was the general trend in living conditions for the poor during the second half of the 15th century?
Living conditions appeared to be improving
What do real wages refer to?
The value of income in relation to prices of goods on the market
What happened to real wages at the turn of the century?
They were slightly reversed
What does social discontent refer to in the context of the Tudor period?
A significant level of dissatisfaction among the populace
Did England experience a subsistence crisis during the Tudor period?
No, England largely avoided a subsistence crisis
What was one of Tudor England’s greatest successes according to John Guy?
Its ability to feed itself
What were the two rebellions that took place during Henry VII’s reign?
- Yorkshire in 1489
- Cornwall in 1497
What was the main trigger for the rebellions during Henry VII’s reign?
Taxation
List three counties mentioned in the text.
- Durham
- Cumbria
- Lancashire
Fill in the blank: The two rebellions during Henry VII’s reign were triggered by _______.
[taxation]
True or False: Significant numbers of the poor died from starvation during the Tudor period.
False
What triggered the Yorkshire Rebellion?
The desertion of Richard at Bosworth and popular anger about taxation
The Yorkshire Rebellion was influenced by both local grievances and the political situation following the Battle of Bosworth.
What was the cause of the Cornish Rebellion in 1497?
The need for revenue to finance the campaign against Scotland
Similar to the Yorkshire Rebellion, the Cornish Rebellion was motivated by financial demands for military campaigns.
Fill in the blank: The Yorkshire Rebellion was sparked by the demand for _______.
extraordinary revenue
True or False: The Cornish Rebellion was independent of any foreign military campaigns.
False
The Cornish Rebellion was directly linked to the funding of a military campaign against Scotland.
What characterized the Cornish region during the rebellion?
It was an independent area with its own language and customs
This cultural identity contributed to the discontent that fueled the rebellion.
What similar factor contributed to both the Yorkshire and Cornish Rebellions?
Demands for extraordinary revenue
Both rebellions were reactions to financial pressures imposed by the crown for military campaigns.
Who led the Cornish Rebellion?
Lord Audley, Thomas Flamank, and Michael the Blacksmith
What was the size of the rebel force as they approached London?
Between 15,000 and 40,000 rebels
What was the reason for the rebellion against King Henry?
Taxation demands
What date did the two sides meet at Blackheath?
14th June 1497
How many men did Henry have when he met the rebels at Blackheath?
Around 25,000 men
Fill in the blank: The King’s ‘evil counsellors’ were _______ and Bray.
Morton
True or False: The Cornish Rebellion received significant support from Kent.
False
What was the outcome for the rebel leaders after the rebellion?
Executed
What was the impact of the rebellions on Henry’s foreign policy?
Made him particularly cautious about entering into further foreign conflicts
What did the rebels realize they had to do when they were no closer to gaining concessions?
Retreat or fight the King
What was one of the tactics that caught Henry unawares during the rebellion?
The rebels marched across the south of England unopposed
Fill in the blank: The rebellion shocked Henry into ensuring that Anglo-Scottish tensions were _______.
Eased
What was a significant characteristic of the leadership of the Cornish Rebellion?
Encapsulated all social classes
What did the King blame for the rebellion?
His ‘evil counsellors’ Morton & Bray
What was the notable feature of the rebels’ military capability?
Lacked cavalry and artillery
Fill in the blank: Despite their defeats, the rebellions of 1489 and 1497 were successful in that taxes were not collected from either _______ or Cornwall.
Yorkshire
How did the rebels manage to gain support for their cause?
Whipped up local support
What was a reason for the collapse of support for the rebels as they approached London?
Many men deserted to return to Cornwall
What was the King’s initial strategy regarding the Cornish rebels?
Thought local families could deal with them
What did the march on London allow Henry to claim about the rebels?
That they sought to overthrow him and cause insurrection
Fill in the blank: The rebellion was led by local nobility, gentry, and _______.
Clergy
