The Use Of Royal Progresses By The Tudor Monarchs, 1485-1603 Flashcards
Progresses:
Journeys made by the ruler and their Court to the regions of England that lay beyond London
Why was going on progresses important? (5)
- Increased the Tudors’ visibility
- A way of showing off the power, wealth and prestige of the Court
- A population which was politically restless might be subdued by the physical presence of their ruler, which would remind them of their obedience and loyalty to their monarch
- People were reminded of the military and legal power of the monarch
- Make and sustain more direct contact with the localities
How did some local communities greet their monarchs?
Greeted them with elaborate and expensive festivities and pageants
How did local communities benefit from royal progresses?
- Brought local grievances to the attention of the monarch
- Seek patronage
What did Henry due in the first year after Bosworth?
Went on an extended progress to the Midlands and the North, the regions from which he faced the greatest challenges to his rule
What did Henry VII do that encouraged obedience during the challenges to his throne in 1487 and 1497?
He marched at the head of his army to deal with the rebellions himself as the sight of the king and his army would have encouraged obedience and loyalty
When did Henry VIII go on a progress?
Every summer`
Did Henry VIII embark on progresses as much as Henry VII? (2)
No
- As he became too old and ill to travel as much
- Went on progresses to escape the smell and diseases of London and often stayed at one of his own royal palaces, eg, the palaces of Richmond and Hampton Court
Who joined Henry VIII in his progresses?
His court which consisted of up to 1,000 people
Most important progress in the reign of Henry VIII?
In 1535, Henry visited Gloucestershire and the Bristol Channel, Salisbury, Winchester and Southampton. This may have prevented a rebellion in the religiously conservative South West of England
What happened when Henry VIII had neglected the north and went to the South West instead?
The South West of England did not rise up but the neglected North rose up in one of the most serious rebellion of his entire reign
How was the neglect of the North shown in the demands from the Pilgrimage of Grace?
One of the demands of the rebels as that a parliament be held in the North, which reflected the region’s feeling of neglect by a government which was too much based in the South
How long did it take for Henry VIII to rectify his neglect of the North?
5 years later after the PoG (1541) when he went on a progress and stayed in York.
Why did Henry decide to take a progress to the North after 5 years?
There were reports of further political unrest in 1541
Royal progresses under Edward VI and Mary I:
Saw fewer progresses, as a result of their youth and increasing ill health
How was Royal Progresses revived under Elizabeth?
Elizabeth and her entire Court went on progresses nearly every summer.
What were the motives of Elizabeth’s progresses? (2)
- Political concerns
- Desire to save money because she could stay in the houses of her leading local nobility and gentry, who would have to pay for the privilege
Where were the majority of Elizabeth’s progresses?
In the South, East and Midlands
Where were the longest progresses Elizabeth took in the North?
To Staffordshire and Lincolnshire, and in the West to Bristol and Gloucestershire
How did Elizabeth vary her routes?
In 1560 and 1569 she visited Hampshire, in 1572 she went to the Midlands and in 1578 she visited East Anglia
How did Elizabeth still control the farther regions, such as Yorkshire and Cornwall, despite never venturing there?
Through the use of her councillors, the Lord Lieutenants and JPs
How did Elizabeth use royal progresses to strengthen the bonds of trust and royal authority with her leading councillors?
She visited the homes of Robert Dudley and William Cecil the most, but also other members of the local government
How many times did Elizabeth visit Cecil?
20 times
How many times did Elizabeth visit Dudley?
23 times
How many prominent members of local governments played host to Elizabeth on her progresses?
About 200
