society at the end if the fifteenth century Flashcards
How was English society structured at the end of the fifteenth century?
English society was exceedingly stratified, with a layered structure.
It was not as rigidly hierarchical as that of France or Spain.
What comprised the apex of the English social system?
The apex comprised the great landowners and senior churchmen.
Who made up the base of the English social system?
The base comprised those who laboured on behalf of the great landowners and senior churchmen.
What new social class emerged in English society during this period?
A professional and mercantile bourgeoisie emerged, becoming increasingly important in London and major provincial cities.
What remnants of the feudal system were still apparent?
Remnants of the feudal system were evident in the law, social relationships, and attitudes.
What economic event increased social mobility in England?
The Black Death of 1348-39 increased social mobility.
How did conservative members of the upper classes respond to increased social mobility?
They attempted to uphold traditional values by passing sumptuary laws, which proved unenforceable.
When did the Black Death reach England?
The Black Death reached England in August 1348.
What percentage of the English population died from the plague within 2 years?
Between 20 and 40 percent of the English population died of plague within 2 years.
When did the plague return to England after the initial outbreak?
The plague returned in 1361.
What were the years of further outbreaks of the plague in England?
Further outbreaks occurred in 1368 to 1369, 1374 to 1375, and 1378.
What was the impact of the later outbreaks of the plague on the population of England?
These later outbreaks reduced the population of England by half.
When did the population of England begin to recover after the plague?
The population did not begin to recover until after 1450.
What was the effect of the plague on land usage and food?
These deaths caused a shortage of land usage and food.
Who dominated landownership in England during this period?
The nobility still dominated landownership.
How many men comprised the peerage?
The peerage comprised no more than about 50 or 60 men.
Was the peerage a closed caste?
The peerage was not a closed caste.
What was Henry VII’s approach to creating new peerage titles?
Henry VII was reluctant to create new peerage titles.
Who were the trusted military commanders under Henry VII?
Trusted Lancastrian military commanders included the Earl of Oxford and Lord Daubeney.
How did Henry VII control the nobility?
Henry’s most important method of controlling the nobility was through bonds and recognizances.
What is bastard feudalism?
Bastard feudalism is a system where wealthy magnates recruited knights and gentlemen to serve them.
What rewards might a retainer receive in the system of bastard feudalism?
A retainer might receive rewards such as local office, grants of land, or direct payment.
How did Victorian historians view bastard feudalism?
Victorian historians saw it as abusive and contributing to the violence associated with the Wars of the Roses.
What was Kenneth B. McFarlane’s view on bastard feudalism?
Kenneth B. McFarlane argued that the system should be seen as a natural response to the changes of the period.
When could the system of bastard feudalism be seen as politically destabilising?
It could be seen as politically destabilising only when the position of the monarch was insecure.
What was Henry VII’s response to noble abuses?
Henry VII had Parliament pass Acts in 1487 and 1504 and took strong action against individual nobles, like Lord Bergavenny in 1506.
What did the 1504 Act state regarding retaining?
The 1504 Act stated that only the king could grant licences for retaining, but this lasted only for the king’s lifetime.
Who was a significant victim of the 1504 Act?
Lord Bergavenny was indicted for illegal retaining in 1507 and fined £100,000, but likely paid only £1,000 and was pardoned by Henry VIII.
What were the limits on retaining during Henry VII’s reign?
Limits included an oath against illegal retaining for peers and MPs in 1486, a law against retaining in 1487, and reinforcement by the 1504 Act.
What was the status of the greater gentry by the late fifteenth century?
The greater gentry were often great landowners in their own right, seeking knighthoods for social status.
How many knights were there in 1490?
In 1490, there were about 375 knights.
What obligations did the status of knighthood originally impose?
Originally, knighthood imposed military obligations, but this was dying out, and holders were expected to assist in local administration.
What percentage of the country’s land was owned by peers and knights according to John Gay?
Peers and knights together owned 15 to 20 percent of the country’s land.
How were esquires defined at the end of the fifteenth century?
The status of esquire could be defined as the eldest sons of knights, younger sons of barons, men invested as esquires, magistrates, and others of wealth.
How was a ‘gentleman’ defined in practice?
A gentleman was anyone recognized as such by his neighbours.
