The Crown, nobility, and rewards Flashcards
What happened to peerages during the reign of Henry VII?
Raised only four men to the peerage
Overall number of peers fell from twenty to ten
What did Henry VIII do regarding peerages?
Rewarded his nobility with lands and titles
Was responsible for creating over half of the peerage by 1547
Balanced new creations with the promotion of existing nobles, confining his generosity to a small group of courtiers
What happened to peerages during the reign of Edward?
His regents rewarded themselves and many of their associates with peerages
In 1547 the Earl of Southampton, the Earl of Warwick, the Marquis of Northampton was created, along with four barons
What happened to peerages during the reign of Elizabeth I?
Only ten new peerages were created
Total number fell from 57 in 1558 to 55 in 1603
What did many nobles espouse by 1603?
Good lordship, peace, and civility
What explains the change?
Decline in feudal relations with their tenants
Tenure came to be based on copyhold and customary rights rather than on the honour and will of the lord
Lord retained far fewer servants
What further weakened the bonds of personal ties?
The demise of large households in the second half of the sixteenth century for economic reasons
What did most nobles cease to be and what did they focus their efforts on?
Politically ambitious or aggressive
Managing their estates and working with the Crown to attain political and social stability in the counties
