The Nobility Flashcards
What were idols of the multitude?
nobles who were very popular and were viewed by the people to perhaps be a preferable leader to the king
Give examples of nobles who can be seen as idols of the multitude.
George, duke of Clarence
Where was the power of an idol of the multitude likely to be heightened?
In the local area where they lived - seen as more accessible than king
What caused the numbers of idols of the multitude to increase?
increased problems e.g. as a result of a weak king
What characterised the fifteenth century nobility?
1) warriors - militaristic in outlook
2) ambitious
3) expect to be involved e.g. parliament
4) hierarchical
5) contemptuous of new nobility
6) see king as 1st amongst equals
7) close links with king, many related + only friends king has - muddies water over who is in charge and when to revert to boss + employee relationship
How was control of everyone ensured and what is this called?
everyone under control of someone above them
nobles under king, lesser gentry under nobles etc
This is called feudalism
what is bastard feudalism?
no longer based on remaining loyal to noble family had always been loyal to, more based on which noble would pay the most - retinues of powerful nobles - retinues of powerful nobles grew.
Why were the large retinues that resulted from bastard feudalism a problem?
Because they were large enough to be armies - could be a threat to royal power if used against king
What was the biggest problem that the medieval world had with bastard feudalism?
tied together by money, e.g Lord Hastings died - many in retinue changed loyalty to Buckingham, Hasting’s enemy
whereas feudalism had ben tied together by loyalty
How was a person identified as being part of a particular retinue?
wore a particular badge
How did those in retinues behave towards people in certain other retinues? What does this show?
fights amongst those in retinues of opposing kings - symptom of people at top against each other
What does the fact that there were two anti - retinue statutes suggest?
suggests they were ineffective
In what year was the first anti-retinue statute passed?
1468
How effective was the first anti-retinue statute? Why?
ineffective - stated that you could be in a retinue only if in royal service - EIV had created loophole
What was the aim of the first anti-retinue statute?
to act as a deterrent + allows to go after lesser gentry trying to form large retinues
In what year was the second anti-retinue law passed?
1504
What did the second anti-retinue law state?
fined £5 for every person illegally in your retinue for every month they were part of your retinue
Was the second anti-retinue law effective?
yes
What was the penalty for Lord Aburgavenny for going against the second anti-retinue law?
originally had to pay fine of 70,650 for illegally retaining 500 men, however this was scaled down
How many did George, duke of Clarence have in his retinue?
6000
What is an alternative term for retinue?
affinity
Which key over-mighty subject had their retinue largely in the north?
Richard, Duke of Gloucester
What was the emblem of the earl of Warwick?
bear + ragged staff
Who brought all their retinues with them for loveday?
Earl of Warwick
Who’s emblem was a boar?
Richard, duke of Gloucester / RIII
Why are not all nobles who were extremely powerful and wealthy classed as over mighty subjects?
over-mighty subjects have to be against the king
Who coined the term over-mighty subject? When?
Sir John Fortisque
15th Century
Quote from Sir John Fortisque?
‘There is no greater peril for a prince than to have a subject equipolente to himself.’
Was Sir John Fortisque lancastrian or yorkist?
lancastrian
Which king did Sir John Fortisque remain loyal to ?
HVI
What happened to Sir John Fortisque during the reign of EIV?
Exiled with Margaret of Anjou
later returned after death of HVI and EIV pardoned him
What did Sir John Fortisque believe was to blame for over-mighty subjects?
nobles e.g. overly ambitious and power hungry
Which historian changed the view on the reason for over-mighty subjects, which had been established by Sir John Fortisque? When?
K.B McFarley
What did K.B McFarley argue regarding over-mighty subjects?
Over-mighty subjects = symptom of weak monarch - filling power vacuum created by monarch
Examples of over-mighty subjects?
1) Richard Neville, earl of Warwick (the kingmaker)
2) Richard, duke of York
3) Henry Stafford, duke of Buckingham
4) John de la Pole, earl of Lincoln
5) Lord Lovell
6) Henry Hotspur
7) Owain Glyndwr
8) Richard, duke of Gloucester
9) Edward, earl of March
10) George, duke of Clarence
11) Henry Tudor
12) Lord Stanley
What are the similarities between over-mighty subjects?
put life on line links with royalty large retinues ambitious against king military skill male
When was Richard, duke of York active?
1450s
What did Richard, duke of York want to achieve initially?
better govt from HVI - angry at Jack cade rebellion, French losses, King’s favouritism etc
What were Richard, duke of York’s power assets and titles?
lieutenant France 1440s
Demoted to lieutenant of Ireland
What were the major career highs for Richard, duke of York?
3 protectorates
Act of Accord
What was the ultimate fate of Richard, duke of York?
killed
Battle of Wakefield
1460
When was Warwick active?
1450s-1460s
What did Warwick want to achieve?
power behind crown
Warwick’s power, assets, titles, skills etc?
Captain of calais Constable of Dover Keeper of the seas Warden of the cinque ports too powerful for regime to take posts from him
Ultimate fate of Warwick?
killed
Battle of Barnet
1471
When was Edward, Earl of March active?
1460 - 1483