Tudor society Flashcards
What was the great chain of being?
According to the church each class had to serve those above. The higher classes were supposed to look after those below
How was the church governed
Pope
Arch Bishop, Bishops and Abbots - Political voice sat in the House of Lords
Arch Bishop John Morton and Richard Fox were royal councillors and advised the King on justice and admin
Clergy - 10,000 strong - Priests and chaplains
Secular clergy 35,000
Own system of law and privileges
Rivalled the authority of the King
Church Courts dealt with adultery and heresy
What was the make up of the nobility?
In 1500 there were 55 nobles, 500 knights, 800 esquires, 5,000 gentlemen
Nobles made up 1% of the population
The crown relied on them to govern the kingdom
All nobles had a seat in the House of Lords
The gentry elected members to sit in the Commons
Henry VII’s policies on bonds, recognisances and retaining kept he privileged in check
What was the makeup of the commoners?
2 million in England and Wales
50% lived below poverty line
Lived in mainly rural areas
A minority could rent/buy land
Some yeomen economically better off than some nobles
Greater social mobility developd with growth of towns when tradesmen and shop keepers exercised influence People began to be defined more by their personal wealth than titles
To what extent is it accurate to say that there were increased opportunities for social mobility in Henry’s reign
Henry VII provided the means for enterprising people to become wealthy
Robert Wolsey was a cttle farmer and his son Thomas Wolsey trained with the Bishop Richard Fox and later became Lod Chancellor for Henry VIII
What were tge benefits of being a cortier in Henry Vii royal court?
Paid positions
Free food
Advancement
Meet influential people
