Henry VII: Royal Authority & Finance Flash Cards Examples
Bonds & Recognisances - Good or poor example of authority & control of finance?
36/62 noble families gave them to Henry VII.
+ Ensured financial stability and loyalty to Henry VII whilst reducing threats e.g treason
- The fact Henry had to use this shows he was controlling nobility instead of establishing his authority. as he shouldn’t need to potentially financially ruin someone in order to stay in power.
Feudal Obligations - Good or poor example of authority & control of finance?
In 1487, he received £350 but increased it to £6,000 in 1507.
+ It helped establish his authority by reinforcing the hierarchal structure and defining the relationships between the nobility and the crown.
Customs duties - Good or poor example of authority & control of finance?
Henry VII brought in a book of rates in 1507 which brought in £40,000 per annum.
- He died in 1509 when most of his control and authority were established, so this didn’t have the greatest impact on his authority and control.
Crown lands - Good or poor example of authority & control of finance?
Increased 5x under Henry VII & annual income was £40,000 from Crown land, double that of Richard III
+ This shows Henry’s power over England as the land was money and power, so increasing the number of Crown lands brought him greater money and power.
Parliamentary grants - Good or poor example of authority & control of finance?
He asked 3/7 out of his parliaments for tax collection of £30,000.
- He was reliant on Parliament to replenish the poor finances from previous monarchs and to fund royal activities. This means his finance was reliant on parliament and not necessarily a result of his authority.
Order of the Garter - Good or poor example of authority & control of finance?
37 Order of the garter granted.
+ As it was the highest honour for the king’s servants but ensured they didn’t get any more power or land. He kept his servants happy and therefore loyal whilst not sacrificing any land.
Acts of Attainder - Good or poor example of authority & control of finance?
138 passed during Henry VII’s reign
+ Henry used this to control the nobility and was effective in doing so as it minimised threats as they could not raise an army against him.
- The fact Henry had to use this shows he was controlling nobility instead of establishing his authority. as he shouldn’t need to potentially financially ruin someone in order to stay in power.
Acts of Retaining - Good or poor example of authority & control of finance?
Lord Burgavenny has a fine of £70,550
- It is evident that he never intended to do away with retaining altogether but just to limit the threat as he didn’t stamp out illegal retaining.
