Acts of Attainder
Though these were reversible, an Act of Attainder meant the family lost all of its inheritance claims and land to the king. Furthermore, nobles such as Thomas Tyrell had to pay for his to be reversed - paying £1738 - or they could be reversed through good service, as seen by Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey. Surrey had fought for Richard at Bosworth, and afterwards was imprisoned and had an act of attainder placed on him in 1486. In 1489 he had swore allegiance to Henry and had been reinstated as Earl, and then crushed the Yorkshire uprising and gained all his estates back. Stanley was also placed under attainder when he was found to be conspiring, and all his land went to the crown, none of it was inherited by his family
Positives?
- Could easily cripple an enemy noble
- Allowed for the crown to gain more income and for enemy lands to be given to loyal supporters
- It was feared - not could cause financial ruin
- It's reversibility and fear factor combined encouraged good behaviour
Negatives?
- Henry was seen to be very severe with his attainder passing - he passed 28 over the 1485-86 period, and 51 over the 1504-9 period.
Overall, Henry passed 138 and reversed 46. Edward IV passed 140, and reversed 42