problems with law and order could lead to uprisings or rebellions and Henry was always concerned about potential enemies exploiting weaknesses to challenge his authority

relied on well placed members of the nobility to exercise power on his behalf

number of magnates had been reduced in the wars of the roses and their land had fallen into the hands of the crown.

magnate control was largely confined to the north of England - had the Stanleys in the north west and the earl of northumberland in the north east and Yorkshire (although he was killed by an uprising, Henry placed the earl of Surrey in that area

Henry had to rely on some who he did not trust - marquis of Dorset, and his lack of trust was demonstrated in the spying network to monitor magnate performance and the imposition of bonds and recognises

appointed on a county basis, met four times a year to administer justice through quarter sessions

most JPs were local gentry who fulfilled their unpaid tasks either out of a sense of duty or because they believed that doing so would open the path to greater advancement or local prestige.

various acts of parliament were passed to increase the powers of JPs - became responsible for tax assessments, alehouse regulation, investigation of complaints against local officials and maintenance of law and order

bond - legal document which bound an individual to another to perform an action or forfeit a specified sum of money if they failed to do so.

recognisances - a formal acknowledgement of a debt or other obligation which could be enforced by means of financial penalty

church courts - church adiministration, offences committed by clergy, proving of wills, marriage issues, moral offences

manor courts - landowning, rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, use of common land
borough courts - medieval training standards, specific judicial rights

kings courts at county level - assizes: held twice a year to deal with major criminal and civil cases, presided over senior Westminster judges. quarter sessions: held four times a year, presided over by JPs, less important criminal cases as well as civil and admin affairs. Special commissions: set up on an ad hoc basis to deal with major issues such as rebellion

kings common law courts- kings bench: superior criminal jurisdiction. common pleas: dealt with major civil cases. exchequer: dealt with issues relating to royal revenues.

chancery and other equity courts: exercised jurisdiction on the basis of equity(fairness) rather than on a strict reading of the common law