1- The role of the monarchy, nobility and gentry in Tudor England

Question 1

how was the power of the monarch different in theory vs in practice

Answer 1

in theory- chosen by god, could rule as wished
in practice- need support of nobility and gentry

Question 2

what didnt tudor monarchs have

Answer 2

a standing army and a police force

Question 3

who would handle local disorder

Answer 3

local nobility and gentry

Question 4

in terms of nobility, what happened before and during henry 7 reign?

Answer 4

some nobles led or joined rebellions against the king- this continued into the years of henry 7 reign, but became increasingly infrequent under henry 8 and his children

Question 5

what was the structure of tudor society

Answer 5

1. god
2. king
3. the nobility-dukes, earls, viscounts, barons, lords
4. gentry- knights
5. yeomen and artisians
6. peasants
7. vagrants and beggars

Question 6

how many men held the titles of nobility under the tudors

Answer 6

40-60

Question 7

how did population of england grow from early 1500s to 1600

Answer 7

by 2 million

Question 8

how much land (available for cultivation) did the nobility hold

Answer 8

around 10%

Question 9

how were the king and his nobility dependant on each other

Answer 9

the king relied on them for carrying government locally
they relied on the king for protection of their lands and property

Question 10

in most cases, why did members of the nobility become involved in rebellion against the monarch

Answer 10

because their co-dependant relationship had broken down

Question 11

how many gentry families were there

Answer 11

5,000

Question 12

how had the number of knights change

Answer 12

1490, 375
1558, 600
1603, 550

Question 13

how were gentry estates different from nobility estates

Answer 13

generally less extensive

Question 14

how could one move through the ranks in tudor england

Answer 14

GAIN-service to the king, marriage, inheritance
LOSE- political miscalculation or economic hardship

Question 15

what were yeomen

Answer 15

prosperous farmers who tended to their own land

Question 16

how many yeomen estimated by 1600

Answer 16

60,000

Question 17

what were artisans

Answer 17

skilled craftsmen who often lived in towns or larger villages

Question 17

why were yeomen generally more financially secure

Answer 17

they owned their own land so were less affected by price rises or rent increases

Question 18

what industries were artisans normally propserous in

Answer 18

wool and cloth, the main english export in this period

Question 19

what did yeomen and artisans do before 1549 and why

Answer 19

provided the leadership and shaped the demands of popular rebellion- they were better educated and natural leaders of their communities

Question 20

what did the yeomen and artisans do after 1549

Answer 20

less involved in rebellion and more involved in local government

Question 21

where did the majority of englands population live and work

Answer 21

rural communities- englands economy based in agriculture

Question 22

why were peasants most vulnerable to social and economic changes

Answer 22

mostly didnt own the land they worked on, vulnerable in poor harvests, epidemics, price and rent increases. reliant on tge production of their own food for survival

Question 23

what fraction of the population were living on the margins of subsistence

Answer 23

2/5- any social or economic crisis would easily push them into anger, hardship and rebellion

Question 24

what were vagrants and beggars

Answer 24

people without masters who roamed the countryside

Question 25

why were vagrants and beggars feared

Answer 25

every person was supposed to be under control of their social superiors

Question 26

why were vagrants and beggars seen as a threat to social order

Answer 26

their movement around england could lead to the spread of rumours and dangerous ideas

Question 27

what was the monarchs duty

Answer 27

protect from invasion, protect the rights and privileges of their subjects

Question 28

how was the monarchs power curbed

Answer 28

by the Magna Carta, 1215, and by developments such as Parliament and Royal Council

Question 29

what happened to monarchs who tried to ignore magna carta, parliament and royal council

Answer 29

richard 2 and richard 3 had been labelled tyrants and overthrown

Question 30

what was included in the systems evoked by 1485

Answer 30

more informal bodies such as the royal court and from henry 8 reign, the privy chamber

Question 31

what formal bodies evoked

Answer 31

the council, financial and judicial systems

Question 32

how was the royal court different to the legal courts of justice

Answer 32

the royal court served the monarch- wherever the monarch was, the court would follow

Question 33

why was the royal court important

Answer 33

for display and entertainment, an informal source of power

Question 34

what did those seeking power or influence seek from the royal court

Answer 34

patronage- distribution of land, offices or favours through direct access to the monarch or chief ministers

Question 35

what was the royal household responsible for

Answer 35

the monarchs domestic needs- hundreds employed in the kitchens, laundries and gardens

Question 36

give an example of an attempt to reform how the royal household worked, in order to reduce expenses

Answer 36

thomas wolsey issued the Eltham Ordinances in 1526 to try and achieve this, but was unsuccessful because he did not have sufficient control over the wishes of the king himself

Question 37

what were the eltham ordinances

Answer 37

reforms that proposed a smaller council of 20 men who would travel with the king, reduce size and cost of household. in reality an attempt to restrict access to the king and control the political influence of those close to him in the chamber