The Pursuit of Stability, 1485-1509 Flashcards
Who claimed that in 1485 England was ‘little more than a second-rate power’?
J. M. Currin
What alliance did Henry VII revive in 1489-1492?
The Plantagenet Anglo-Burgundian-Brenton axis
How can we describe early Henry VII’s approach to French ?
As a slow change to a passive approach, yet still wary of French continental dominance and so an effort to counterbalance.
What was renewed in July 1486?
Henry VII renewed the Anglo-Breton treaty of commerce and friendship, but refused a defensive alliance
Where did Henry VII maintain English neutrality?
In the France .v. Brittany struggle
Why does S. Gunn argue studies of Henry VII are hindered?
Because of his liminal (unwarranted) position in historical study, yet we can make virtue of this
What can be said about provision of justice under Henry VII?
Provision of justice during Henry VIIs reign was dependent upon county courts
What does S. Gunn highlight as a core aim of Henry with regard to parliamentary sessions?
S. Gunn argues that it is plainly apparent that a key aim of Henry VII was to modify English justice mechanisms
What is a key characteristic of Henry VII which is disputed between historians?
While medievalists often claim Henry to be weak at record keeping, early modern historians often argue the opposite
What is a historiographic debate with regard to Henry VIIs foreign policy?
There is historical debate surrounding the role of warfare in maintaining a healthy domestic body politic
Why was Henry VII arguably dependent on delegation?
Arguably Henry VII was dependent on delegated across the kingdom because the era was fraught with civil wars etc
What did Francis Bacon have to say about Henry VII?
Francis Bacon said Henry, Ferdinand and Louis were the tres magi of kings in the era
What is a central aspect of New Monarchies?
A central aspect of New Monarchies is the accession of new men to power
How did Perkin Warbeck characterise new men?
Perkin Warbeck referred to new men as ‘villains of simple birth’
According to B. Parker, who did Henry VII ally himself with?
B. Parker claims that Henry VII allied himself with those whose economic interests were infringed upon by wars of the nobility
What does S. Gunn argue Henry VIIs relationship with the nobility was?
S. Gunn suggests that Henry VIIs relationship with the nobility was a ‘satisfying model’ of Tudor regimes to come
What is an issue with studying political culture under Henry VII?
Political writings lulled under Henry VII and so largely the opinions behind policy have to be indirectly reconstructed
How does S. Gunn characterise contemporary commentary on Henry VII?
S. Gunn claims contemporaries such as Polydore Vergil created a cult of the politic prince
How does historian J. Watts characterise Henry VIIs governance?
Henry VIIs governance according to J. Watts was unusually detached, legalistic and conciliar
What is a source for recognisances?
In the first few months of Henry VII’s reign, Treasurer John Heron recorded 581 recognisances
What was the economy like during Henry VIIs reign?
There was an increase in cloth exports and agrarian revival indicative of recovery from the Black Death
What does S. Gunn say about the impact of Henry VIIs reign on England as a whole?
S. Gunn characterises the reign as socially tumultuous
What are parliamentary sermons under Henry VII indicative of?
parliamentary sermons show a developing England-specific political rhetoric
What aspect of medieval politics prevailed into Henry VIIs reign? give an example.
Gift-giving continued into Henry VIIs reign, such as Lord Daubeney’s gift of a ruby rose
How does S. Gunn depict Henry VIIs court?
S. Gunn claims Henry VIIs court was inherently chivalrous, yet also uniting humanism with intense piety
Outline the education of Prince Arthur?
Educated by Bernard Andre, he studies the ancients and their ‘modern’ counterparts
How can we argue that Henry VII had calculated magnificence as S. Gunn claims?
Henry VIIs calculated magnificence can be seen in his travelling court, his £2000 armour
What was the relationship between Henry VII and the people?
Henry VII engaged with popular politics, and understood its foundation and capability
What is a piece of evidence which shows Henry VIIs engagement with the public?
Henry VII printed a passage in 1496 blaming James for the Scottish War and circulated it
What is a way Henry’s reign can be seen as ad captandum vulgus?
Henry VII was the first monarch to have his face on the coinage
What is a source for Henry’s depiction of monarchy to the public?
The Great Chronicle of :London ‘newe coynys … which bare but half a fface’
Who claims that Royal Commissioners records show the increasing grasp on information in Henry VIIs rein?
I. Arthurson suggests that Royal Commissioners records show Henry VIIs increasing grasp on information
What can be said about direct taxation under Henry VII?
direct taxation was levied sparingly, but where it was it was sophisticatedly done
What does S. Gunn argue about Henry VIIs relationship with England?
S. Gunn argues that Henry VII interacted with all levels of the polity in order to articulate county leaders to the centre
What does J. Guy characterise Henry VII political rhetoric as?
J. Guy characterises Henry VII political rhetoric as of virtue and god governance
What were the three responsibilities of early modern monarchs?
The three responsibilities of early modern monarchs were to keep peace, to dispense justice, and to uphold the church.
What must be remembered about Henry VII as a ‘New Monarch’
It must be remembered that although Henry VII is known for the rise of new men, the ‘natural’ counsellors still held great significance
What was one humanist concept which emerged in Henry VIIs court?
The humanist concept of the Classic ‘vir civilis’ - active citizen - emerged as the Renaissance counsellor
What is something often criticised about the traditional interpretations of Henry VIIs reign?
It is often criticised that traditionalist historians rely too heavily on contemporary commentaries such as Francis Bacon which revere Henry VII
How can Henry VIIs meticulous nature in foreign affairs be exemplified?
Henry VIIs meticulous nature in foreign affairs can be seen in his spending 4 hours pouring over a letter from Spain in July 1498 regarding marriage
What can be said about Empson and Dudley?
Empson and Dudley were Henry VIIs best serving ministers but this also meant they could pursue their own agendas
What is a source for Henry VIIs court culture?
John Skelton’s Bowge of the Courte (1499) linked courtiers of Henry VII to traditional medieval vices
What was the nature of the courtier role under Henry VII?
The role of the courtier under Henry VII was fluid- they often carried out several roles informally
What was the role of the court in English politics?
The court acted as a honey pot for noble men- and thus incredible power for Henry VII
Where was Henry VII more welcoming to traditional counsel?
Henry VII was more trusting of young noblemen than those who’d been in the old regime
How did Henry VII placate ambition?
Henry VII inflated membership of Royal Chamber Servants in order to interact with ambitious courtiers and thus develop an awareness of the wider body politic
When did Polydore Vergil compose his history of Henry VII?
Polydore Vergil wrote his history of Henry VII 1506-7, it was called the Anglica Historia
What was stressed in Anglica Historia?
Anglica Historia, a humanist text, stressed the Great Chain of Being
What does A. Pollard highlight as an issue with studying Henry VII?
A. Pollard stresses that documents from Henry VIIs reign have often been reprinted several times now, and that this has created contradictions
How does A. Pollard argue for Henry VIIs stability?
A. Pollard suggests that plots against Henry VII were isolated incidents rather than indications of widespread discontent
What can be said about Henry VIIs personal interpretation of the court?
As A. Pollard claims, ‘suspicion became almost a disease in Henry’s mind’
How does A. Pollard support his assertion of Henry VIIs stability?
A. Pollard suggests that the fact pretenders had to turn to the Celts proves how isolated their causes were
What can be said about the focus of Henry VIIs policies?
Henry VIIs policies were insular to England from the outset
What does K. MacFarlane assert about nobles during Henry VIIs reign?
K. MacFarlane suggests that nobles were less confident in their abilities to sway the monarch
What does M. James highlight as the foundation of civil order in the reign of Henry VII?
M. James suggests that the foundation of civil order under Henry VII was the effective internalisation of obedience
How can Henry VIIs piousness be seen?
Henry VII built a church (which he now lies in) in an attempt to get Henry VI canonised
What was an ecclesiastical change in the fifteenth century?
In the fifteenth century it had become common to argue for royal authority over the church
By the early sixteenth century how much was the Church in England being taxed?
By the early sixteenth century the Church in England was being taxed roughly £11,000
What must be noted about coronation?
The coronation was ultimately a religious occasion which benefitted the monarchy not the church
What does G. Bernard suggest the relationship between the church and Henry VII to have been?
G. Bernard suggests that the church served the crown in return for protection of certain liberties
What was the relationship between the Church and political enfranchisement?
G. Bernard suggests that the Church’s monopoly on education and thus literacy rates meant they could control administration and interaction with the wider body politic
List three pious and charitable things Henry VII contributed to:
Henry VII built King’s College Chapel Cambridge, Westminster almshouses, and Savoy hospital Charing Cross
What did Machiavelli claim in regards to the responsibility of monarchs?
Machiavelli claimed that monarchs ‘must not flinch from being blamed for vices which are necessary’
What does A. Pollard suggest about the impact of medieval decay on English politics?
A. Pollard suggests that the decay of traditional medieval institutions helped give rise to a ‘national’ monarchy
What is the argument of religion in regards to New Monarchs?
New Monarchs ‘crystallised’ divinity into a political weapon
