Henry VII: Government - The Court

Question 1

What is the royal court?

Answer 1

• Court was the centre of government
• The court was meant to be a place of magnificence and generosity
• Court was always found whenever the king was at any given time
• Court was the focus of personal monarchy
• Court was a place for royal ceremony
• Court was divided into the household proper and the Chamber

Question 2

The Household Proper

Answer 2

• Level of court responsible for looking after the king, the courtiers and guests
• Their personal and catering requirements were supervised by the Lord Steward

Question 3

The Chamber

Answer 3

• The Chamber was the political part of court
• Led by Lord Chamberlain
• The Lord Chamberlain was the head of the council and was a position granting great power and trust

Question 4

Changes to the Chamber

Answer 4

• Lord Chamberlain Sir William Stanley was found to be a traitor in 1495 and was involved in the Warbeck Plot
• In response, Stanley was executed and Henry created a new Privy Chamber
• This is where Henry could do business with his most trusted subjects
• This changed politics and made it harder for courtiers to regain the king’s support after a disagreement
• Henry cut himself off from much of the king’s traditional contacts at court