Tudor Society Flashcards
Who was the first Tudor monarch?
Henry VII, who won the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 against Richard III
Was Henry VII’s position secure in 1485?
No, after the Wars of the Roses, the traditional role of the monarchy was under threat.
How was Tudor society organised?
Tudor society was hierarchical, with God at the top, followed by the monarch, Nobility, gentry, yeomen and artisans, then peasant and finally vagrants and beggars.
Could a Tudor monarch rule as they wished?
No, although they were supposedly chosen by God, they relied on the nobility to rule the country as they had no police force or standing army.
What general trend was there in terms of the monarch’s ability to control the nobility?
The Tudors managed to increase their control, partly due to changes to the role of nobility in local and central government.
How many nobility were there?
Between 1485 to 1603, there were 40 to 60 men, fluctuating according to royal policy and death.
Roughly how many gentry families were there during the Tudor period?
About 5,000 - knights and esquires.
What were Yeomen and how many were there?
Prosperous farmers who often owned their land. There may have been about 60,000 of them by 1600.
How many people were subsisting in Tudor England?
Approximatelt two fifths of the population.
Why were vagrants and beggars feared in Tudor society?
Because they had no master and their movement around the country could spread rumours and dangerous ideas.
How were the powers of Tudor monarchs curtailed?
- Magna Carta (1215) 2. Parliament 3. Royal Council
What was the Royal Court?
Essentially an entourage of people close to the monarch. People in search of power and influence or royal patronage would come to Court. The Royal Court was important for display and to emphasise the power and wealth of the monarch.
What was the role of the Royal Household?
To take care of the monarch’s domestic needs - hundreds of menial servants who did cooking, cleaning and gardening, controlled by high-ranking officials called the Board of the Green Cloth.
What were the Eltham Ordinances?
Wolsey’s (failed) attempt in 1526 to restrict the size and cost of the Household to 20 men. In reality, Wolsey was attempting to isolate Henry from ‘bad influences’ such as Sir Nicholas Carew and the Boleyns (Thomas and George).
What was the role of the Privy Chamber?
The word ‘Privy’ comes from the French for private and it was really an area of privacy for the monarch and their family. Access to the Privy Chamber meant power and influence.
