Chapter 2: Henry's Government

Question 1

Councils and the Court

Answer 1

•The council had three main functions:
-advise the king
-administer the realm on the kings behalf
-make legal judgements.
•The council had no established rules and procedures though it was a permanent body with a core membership.

Question 2

Levels of the court

Answer 2

• one level of the court was the household proper which was responsible for looking after the king, the courtiers, guests and other ‘hangers-on’.
• The chamber was another level to the court that presided over the Lord Chamberlain.

Question 3

The council learned

Answer 3

• Developed under the second half of the reign.
• Was to maintain the King’s revenue and to exploit his prerogative rights.
• The workings of the council learned have often been seen as a rather ‘shady’ operation.
• Caused fear and anger as it bypassed the normal legal system.

Question 4

Parliament

Answer 4

• Only the kings could call parliament, and Henry demonstrated his right to rule by calling the first parliament early in his reign.
• During his reign Henry called parliament 7 times.