the Nobility - Growth of poverty and the government's response in the localities Flashcards
what was the role of the Nobility traditionally?
1485 - military leaders:
- considerable amount of power depending on their ownership of land
how did the relationship between the nobility and the monarch become corrupt during the Tudor period?
- they used their power and land to raise armies against the monarch.
- e.g. the War of the Roses - nobility used their estates to rise up against Richard III
why was it harder for the new nobility to raise armies against the monarch?
- they relied on the monarch for titles and land.
how was the role of the Gentry enhanced?
- in control of local gov through their role of being JP’s
- they looked to nobility to advance their position as they had access to royal patronage
- developed a network of relationships through patronage
what was Henry VII’s attitude towards the nobility?
- he was reluctant to give out many rewards and preferred to have a small group of trusted nobility
examples of how he rewarded those close to him and how his trust had to be earned?
- e.g. Jasper Tudor (uncle) was made Duke of Bedford
- and his trust had to be earned e.g. Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey - fought for Richard - refused opportunity to escape from tower and was rewarded with release.
how much did the number of noble families decrease by during his reign?
from 55 to 42
- this was successful as there was no open rebellion against him after 1497
what is an example of how new nobles emerged who gained their position in court, instead of having landed estates ?
- Charles Brandon was rewarded through patronage
- his father was killed at Bosworth
- he grew up with Henry VIII at court and made Duke of Norfolk
how did Thomas Cromwell become prominent in government?
- through Thomas Wolsey’s patronage
what is an example of how legal expertise could allow social mobility during Henry VIII’s reign ?
- Thomas Wriothesley was made Earl of Southhampton
- William Paget was made Baron Paget
- the role of the traditional nobility was undermined
why were the traditional nobility undermined in Henry VIII’s reign?
- religion (a lot were catholic)
- nobility emerging who gained their status from court and not their land.
how did Henry VIII deal with members of the nobility he distrusted? and what is an example of this?
- he distrusted the Duke of Buckingham who tried to build an army against him through using his estates in Wales
- he was executed in 1521.
- royal lands grew due to Henry distrust. they were confiscated
- executions for treason was high.
how much did income from land rise for the Nobility in comparison to the Crown? during Henry VIII?
- 27% state income
- 9% nobles.
what is an example of a family which rose up in terms of ranks during Henry VIII’s reign?
the Russell family
- e.g. Sir John Russel was granted offices in the south west (which was a way of him also maintaining control in that region)
who was Henry Courteney?
- he was a very elite noble in the south west
- he was executed for treason in 1538 and his lands were granted to Russell who replaced him and was made “baron Russell”
what suggests that patronage given to Sir William Russel may of been ineffective?
- he continued to rise under Edward VI
- however was unable to stop the western rebellion in 1549
- this indicates how patronage may of been less effective in ensuring law and order.
what problem occurred with patronage towards the end of Henry VIII’s reign?
- it became factionned
- e.g. Edward Seymor led the reformer faction and Duke of Norfolk was on the conservative faction
how did Seymor manipulate dying Henry’s will ?
- he made himself Ed’s Lord Protector and Duke of Somerset
examples of how Seymor used his position to reward his own supporters
- John Dudley was made Earl of Warwick
- 1549 Dudley over threw Seymor
what was Elizabeth’s relationship with her nobility ?
- informal and formal connections
- she was very flirtatious
what was William Cecil’s role in Elizabeth’s government?
- JP in lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
what was the role of the Earl of Bedford in QE’s reign?
- JP in Devon and Cornwall
what helped QE keep control as a women in a mans world, in terms of her nobility?
- her favourite men were those who she had flirtatious relationships with and who admired her unconditionally.
what is an example of one of QE favourite nobles whom she had a close personal relationship with?
- Robert Dudley; she flirted with him and saw him as a potential husband. He had access to her Master of the house and rode next to her when she travelled.
how did QE reward Dudley ?
- 1562 - he was on the Privvy council and given generous grants.
- e.g. he was given Kennilworth castle, Denbeigh in Wales and control of chester
who did QE appoint to control the localities?
- southern protestants were appointed to the North for example:
- Henry Carey - made Lord Hunsdon
- Francis Russell - Earl of Bedford - Warden of the east march
- Thomas Percy - Warden of the middle march
how did QE control of the localities cause tensions between traditional nobles?
- Northern Earls revolt - explains parts of the grievances from Westmorland and Northumberland.
who was appointed to the Council of the North by QE to crack down on reccusancy ?
- Puritan Earl of Hunnington after the revolt of the Northern Earls.
who replaced Robert Dudley and Francis Walsingham when they firf in 1590’s?
- Robert Cecil and Robert Devereux then new advisors.
what is Robert Cecil appointed to in 1596?
- QE secretary
who was Devereux made under QE and what was he given?
- Earl of Essex and he was not very wealthy.
- given a monopoly on sweet wines in 1588
- appointed to the council in 1593
- became Lord Lieutenant
how was Robert Cecil more effective at building power?
- monopolised positions in gov = Lord Treasurer, master of the court of wards and secretary
what is an example of how patronage can lead to instability during QE reign?
- Essex was resentful of Cecil and planned to capture the Queen.
