1.4 Henry VII's Society Flashcards
What was the role of the Nobility during Henry VII’s reign?
Comprised of 50-60 men.
They dominated land ownership and relied on Bastard Feudalism. They could lend Henry VII troops.
What effect did Henry VII have on the nobility?
The nobles were suppressed as Henry feared they may try to launch an uprising.
Bonds and recognisances ensured loyalty by restricting nobles freedom and Acts of Attainder were handed out to reduce threats by forfeiting land.
What is meant by Bastard Feudalism?
A reciprocal relationship between a magnate and his retainers. In return for using his retainers services (troops, accountants, ambassadors), the magnate would reward the retainer with land or money.
How did Henry VII’s reduce the threat of powerful nobles who exploited Bastard Feudalism?
He passed acts in 1487 and 1504 which took action against individual nobles who were abusing the system, such as Lord Bergavenny in 1506 who was fined £70,000 for retaining 471 men.
The 1487 Act banned retaining and this was backed up by the 1504 Act which made it mandatory to have a retaining license.
Without retaining, nobles could not build up a loyal following of men to potentially use to rebel.
What was the role of the Gentry in Henry VII’s reign?
Consisted of around 500 knights.
They owned around 15-20% of the countries land and would assist the administration in their local areas.
Esquires (sons of knights) and meer gentry (those seen as gentry by their neighbours) were more common.
What were the different types of commoners during Henry VII’s reign?
Organise them into a hierarchy.
(Most powerful top, least powerful bottom)
The Middling Sort: Rich merchants, craftsmen and lawyers.
Shopkeepers and Tradesmen: Dominated town councils.
Yeomen Farmers: Owned land which they dished out to Husbandmen. Emerged due to an increase of cheap land caused by the Black Death.
Husbandmen: Smaller farmers which were employed by Yeomen or Gentry
Labourers: Those who depended on labour to survive
What was the hierarchy within in the Church during Henry VII’s reign?
The Papacy: God’s representative
The Secular Clergy
Roman Curia: Administered the Church
Cardinals: Senior Churchmen which elected Popes
Archbishops: Senior Churchmen representing a country
Bishops: A regional leader of a church
Parish Priests: Ministered to a congression and had special rights to keep them apart from the laity.
How did Society develop over Henry VII’s reign?
The nobility lost power due to a limit on retainers and an introduction of bonds and recognizances.
Social mobility became possible. People could be educated into higher ranks by joining the Council Learned in Law.
The middle class began to emerge, there wasn’t as distinct a split between nobles and commoners.
