The Political Nation & Social Basis Of Power Flashcards
What is the order of the political nation?
King
Council
Parliament
Chancery exchequer courts
County officials (e.g. Jp’s lords assize judges)
Parish officials (e.g. town officials church wardens constables)
Definition of the Political Nation and their responsibilities.
People in early modern Britain that had economic, social and political influence. Based on land ownership Responsibilities: Collecting taxes Training militia Enforcing laws Conducting trails Held office in name of the crown
Definition of prerogative
Power of the crown, derived from the idea that kings had divine right to rule. Included the right to call and dissolve parliament and declare war.
What were the main forms of crown income and their definitions.
Crown lands- crown sold land/rented it for long leases at fixed rent,reduced income, rent couldn’t keep up with inflation
Custom duties- taxes on goods imported, crown also sold rights to collect taxes to quickly raise funds
Feudal dues- crowns right to control inherited estates by ancient right by and heir under 21
Parliamentary subsidies-funds approved by parliament
What were the limits on absolutism?
Parliaments control of significant finance.
Monarch needs political nation to control general population. Crown didn’t possess force or civil servants.
Fewer than 2000 paid officials so relied on parish officials.
Political nations power
No police force but generally accepted by social hierarchy.
1500-1650 pop. Of England Doubled leading to- price inflation, food shortage, land shortage, reliance on state for poor relief. STRAIN ON HIERARCHY.
GREAT CHAIN ON BEING WAS MAINTAINED
But unequal society led to riots by lower class but only minor disturbances
Importance of land ownership
Economy was agrarian ownership of land important as increasing pop could be benefitted by landowners due to food shortages
Pseudo gentry once wealthy enough they bought land to become actual gentry.
