Society; Elites and commoners Flashcards
What was the hierarchical structure present at the time of HVIII’s reign ?
Great chain of Being
What two groups represented the social elite which yielded considerable political and economic influence ?
nobles and greater gentry
By the end of HVIII’s reign, how many more peers were there than at the start ?
9 more
How many non-royal ducal titles did Henry promote ? ( Henry VIII elevated two non-royal individuals to the rank of Duke)
1) Norfolk
2) Suffolk
Henry VIII elevated two non-royal individuals to the rank of Duke, Norfolk and Suffolk, what role did their holders serve for the King ?
as soldiers and courtiers
Give an example of a member of the nobility who achieved their rank as a peer due to having a close family relationship with HVIII.
1) the King’s brother in law, Edward Seymour, was elevated to the earldom of Hertford
2) Suffolk, one of only 2 non-royal individuals Henry promoted to the rank of a duke in his reign, seems to have been promoted on account of the closeness of his personal relationship with the King
Give 2 examples of a time when Henry bestowed property to a noble to enable them to exert authority in a particular area.
1) Suffolk was provided with property in Lincolnshire after the rebellion there in 1536
2) John, Baron Russell, was raised to peerage and provided lands in Devon to bolster royal authority in the South West following the execution of the Marquess of Exeter
Give an example to show how noble households remained critical to the recruitment of royal armies
The Earl of Shrewsbury raised over 4000 men for the invasion of France in 1513
Give 3 examples of how the nobility was brought under tighter control of the monarch under HVIII’s reign
1) Duke of Buckingham was executed for treason on the vaguest of charges in 1521
2) Baron Dacre of the South was hanged like a common criminal in 1541 following conviction of murder
3) Lords Darcy and Hussey were executed for their roles in the rebellion of 1536
Roughly, how many gentry families were there in 1540 ?
5000
How many knighthoods were conferred by Henry as a sign of royal favour in 1524 ?
200
What social change occurred to the gentry under the reign of HVIII ?
the Gentry class grew enormously, often buying church land
If any at all, what change happened to the social structure of the gentry and nobility ?
Henry still relied on these two groups and conferred knighthoods as a sign of royal favour.
Why were the gentry able to grow enormously and buy church land ?
This is because more land became available following the changes to the church and the dissolution of the monasteries.
Give one way that the gentry could make more money off the back of an increase in land ownership
they could lease out farming land
Why were the gentry able to become more involved in government and local administration ?
Because of the complexity of government
What social change happened to the urban elite under HVIII ?
There was a growing number of people in commercial and professional activities
Why was there a growth in the urban elite under HVIII ?
This is because towns and cities grew
If any at all, what change to the urban elite in terms of the social structure happened under HVIII ?
They now had a political voice in Parliament as they could be elected as an MP
What social change happened to Town workers under Henry VIII ?
There was an increasing number of Town workers
Why was there an increase in the number of Town workers under HVIII ?
due to migration from the countryside
If any at all, what change to the social structure of town workers happened under Henry VIII ?
little - they were still largely below the urban elite in terms of income and status
In the reign of HVIII, why did the gentry class grow and the nobility decrease in its number ?
nobility: due to economic decline, much of the nobility had to sell their land as they could no longer afford to maintain their great households
gentry: sale and leasing of the great estates created a very active land market and service to the crown became more attractive to lesser elites or gentry.
What social change occurred to Peasants under HVIII ?
prosperous peasants became yoemen or copyholders
