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Henry VII - 1485 to 1509 (Government and Councils (Role of Justices of the…
Henry VII - 1485 to 1509
Consolidation of power
Claim to the throne - his mother was a descendant of John of Gaunt, son of E3 - in normal circumstances, claim would be seen as weak, however most other claimants had perished in Wars of the Roses and Henry had killed R3 in battle
- Dated the start of his reign from day before Bosworth (21 August 1485) - this meant all opposition imminently branded as traitors
- Married Elizabeth of York Jan 1486 - union of houses of Lancaster and York
- Coronation was before parliament was in session so they could not oppose, and proved right to throne was hereditary and not just based on parliamentary sanction
Rival Claimants:
- Edward, Earl of Warwick - sent to the tower
- John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln - R3's actual named heir. Invited to King's council
- Duke of Suffolk - lands attaindered, made Earl of Surrey as he had fought for R3 despite professing loyalty to H7 (property forfeit to the crown)
Character and aims
Aims:
- To establish and secure his dynasty
- To be accepted as King by nobility and foreign powers
- To keep England peaceful
Character:
- Quiet and reserved
- Strong and thoughtful
- Passion for hunting and music
- Became increasingly controlling and paranoid in his later years, especially of nobility and gentry
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Government and Councils
King's Council - King's closest councillors advised him in matters of state, and acted as supreme judges. Total 227 members, but only 40 active. Smaller groups of councillors required to manage them
Chief of Staff = Archbishop of Canterbury by John Morton
Star Chamber - room with stars on ceiling. Their role was to preside over hearings of the poor. 2 tribunals during H7's reign - 1487, dealt with rioters, and 1495, perjury. Both ended after his reign.
Concilliar Committees
- Provided advice for the King
- Individuals met on a regular basis to take care of national admin and judicial court
- Concerned with mundane day to day activities - not the centre of politics
- Historians say - new way of governing the country. This was different to E4 as committees called to deal with specific issues, only 24/240 members met at a time but larger councils were called to address more pressing issues
Council Learned in Law
- Small body of lawyers and professionals
- Established in 1495 to defend the King's position as feudal lord
- Responsible for managing wardship and the King's towns where feudal dues were owed
- They were also the financial centre of the King and collected bonds and recognisances, thus they were bitterly resented by nobility
- Chief members Empson and Dudley arrested after H7's death
Government Personnel: Nobles
- Nobles had to work for their rewards, proving loyalty to H7
- Nobles who served King well, e.g. John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, were rewarded well - made Great Chamberline and Lord Admiral
Government Personnel: Clerics
- Largest group on the King's Council
- Made up 1/2
- e.g. John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury - Dr. of Civil Law
- Ideal for admin
Gov Personnel: New Men
- Often Gentry drawn from professional classes, their success and position depended entirely on the King and them proving their loyalty
The Royal Household - the centre of royal governance, presided over household admin and had a central role in running the country - though it was informal. Could potentially inform legislation. Also referred to as Court
Local Government - weakness, the king relied on the goodwill of officials to keep up their posts, ensuring law and order. Only control removal of position and social disgrace
Counties, Hundreds, Parishes - every county divided into hundreds, every hundred divided into parishes, and every parish had a petty constable. Each hundred, a high constable, each county 18 JPs
Role of Justices of the Peace - power of the JP increased after the 14th century, as replaced the sheriff.
They implemented statutes such as the regulation of guilds
How were JPs organised? - there was a higher JP, lower JP, high constable and petty constable. H7 followed E4 in appointing lesser nobles as JPs to restrict the power of magnates
Sheriffs - had more power than JPs but less organised. As population rose, necessary to devolve power between JPs and constables
What were the drawbacks of the JPs? - JPs relied on cooperation from constables. Low paid job/unpopular in community
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Wales - H7 revived council of Wales by naming his son 'Prince of Wales'. Trusted to see to their own affairs. Their family ties to Wales made situation more secure than R3 and H7 was highly celebrated.
- By 1495, due to noble deaths, owned much of Wales
- Governed larger part of Wales than any King before him
The North - Closely linked with main council - same judicial power. Able to quickly enforce law, threatened power of King, therefore kept under surveillance. Key members appointed by him rather than lieutenants. Kept close contact with Bray in London
Ireland - tried to rule by installing his own officials. Made H8 Lord Lieutenant, Sir Ed. Poynings, most trusted advisor - main task to bring rebellions to heels, impose Irish constitution. All Eng laws applied to Ireland, took away Ireland's legislative power - expensive. Returned to a policy of ruling through Irish chieftains
Parliaments
5 in first ten years, only 2 in remaining fourteen- power centred on the Crown, and when H felt more secure, Parliament could be dispensed with
- Voted on taxes and laws, interests of the monarch and higher subjects recognised - not nation
- Parliament appears to have operated effectively under H7 - king accepted decisions
- Summoned 5 great councils - 1487 to 1502
- Often only summoned when the King needed to raise money from taxes
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Churchmen, nobles and commoners
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