Government under Henry VII Flashcards
What essentially comprised Henry VII’s Government?
- The Council Learned
- The Court + Household
- Justice of the peace (JPs)
- Bonds + Recognisances
Explain the significance of ‘The Council Learned’ within Henrys Government
The council itself advised the king, made legal judgments + administered the realm on the kings behalf. During Henrys reign the council lacked established members but there was a permanent body who dealt with key administrative concerns. The importance of the council depended on its members + the council learned
The council learned often met on the duchy of Lancaster where it essentially formed a ‘specialist board’ to maintain the kings revenue + exploit his ‘prerogative’ rights. The council learned made up the system of bonds + recognises work + could entrap many of the kings subjects. Consequently it was often seen as shady and caused fear and anger in that it bypassed normal legal systems + couldn’t be appealed.
However the council learned was significant in maintaining order + authority swell as increasing finances.
Explain the significance of Henry VIIs court + household
The tudors relief heavily on the royal court which was the centre of government, it was the focus box a personal ,anarchy + place for royal ceremony which Henry VII was very enthusiastic. There were 3 levels to court;
- The Household
- The Chamber system was preceded over by The Lord Chamberlain - a senior household official who was both powerful + possess significant trust
- The Privy Chamber
Explain the significance of Justices of the Peace (JPs) throughout Henry VIIs government
At a local level Henry heavily relied on JPs in order to maintain law + order in the countryside. Ups met 4 times a year to administer justice through the quarter sessions.
Various acts of parliment were passed which increased the power + responsibilities of JPs who had roles of routine administration ie tax assessments, regulation, investigation of complaints + the maintenance of law + order.
Explain the significance of Bonds + Recognizes throughout Henry VIIs reign
Henry VI restored law + order predominately by forcing an abundance of his subjects to take out Bonds + recognises. Some bonds were genuine debts to the crown however many of them were purely political.
Bonds allowed Henry VII to have many people in huge danger + financial ruin should they turn against him + thus bonds increased order + obedience.
Explain the importance of maintaining law + order
At worst, problems with maintaining law + order could lead to rebellion + uprising , a key concern for Henry as potential enemies could exploit these problems + weaknesses to challenge his authority.
Traditionally the monarch relied heavily on nobility to exercise power on their behalf however henrys as aware if nobility gains too much power they could rival his own authority so could not delegate this power to nobility.
Explain the key ways Henry maintained order
The centralisation of government:
- Henry’s reformation the Chamber in the 1490’s ensured that there was a centre to patronage + communication between the king, his ministers, + gentry at court which was achieved by increasing the power of Justices of the Peace by, in 1495, giving them the power to replace juries they believed had been bribed, thus reducing the influence of the nobility in court and simultaneously increasing the Kings authority.
- The establishment of the Council of Learned in Law 1495 ensured that Henry’s interests as feudal overlord were guarded. Under Sir Reginald Bray this rapidly became a more general institution enforcing bonds and recognisances.
Members of the gentry who made up both groups were far more likely to agree with Henry’s policies and seek to fulfil his desires in an attempt to win his patronage as their own power depended on Henry’s benefaction. This reduced the power of the nobility thus strengthening royal authority.
- He dramatically decreased the number of nobility + limited over mighty magnates to maintain control.
