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EARLY GOVERNMENT, 1509-1514 - Coggle Diagram
EARLY GOVERNMENT, 1509-1514
ATTITUDE TO GOVERNMENT
Wrote the song Passtyme with Good Companye about his enjoyment of this lifestyle and the poem Some Say Youth Doth Rule Me as a response to his critics.
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Business could often only be conducted if councillors / ministers found him on his way to Mass or after dinner.
Found reading and writing painful, preferred to focus upon the pageantry of court life; dancing, jousting, masques and music.
Execution of Edmund de la Pole in 1513, nephew of Edward IV - clear message about how perceived threats would be dealt with.
CONTINUITY
The Bishop of London, Richard Fox, was reappointed Lord Privy Seal.
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Pro-peace, eventually frustrated Henry and led to the rise of Wolsey.
CHANGE
The arrest of Empson and Dudley for treason in 1509, executed in 1510.
Cancelled 175 bonds and recognisances that were owed, abolished the Council Learned in the Law.
In 1521, Duke of Buckingham, a descendent of Edward III who muttered about issues of the succession, was executed - still worried about certain nobles.
Re-established the role of the nobility - young nobles the same age as Henry joined him in sports and revels, went to war with him against France/Scotland. Surrounded himself with slightly older noble men at court, created the positions of 'Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber', men like Charles Brandon and Sir William Compton rose quickly to favour and influence.
STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
The Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber travelled around when Henry moved from house to house. Had over 30 residences in and near London, but also travelled further, especially in the summer.
The Privy Council had about 20 members and handled routine matters of state. Henry never attended its meetings, although he did draw up the agendas of those meetings. The Lord Chancellor or Sir William Paget would seek the King’s approval on the various matters under discussion of the meetings of the Privy Council.
Starkey argues that the Privy Chamber became more important. Only the most intimate advisers and courtiers were allowed to attend him there.
Two Secretaries of State helped the monarch govern the country, one always with the monarch, one always in Westminster. Dealt mainly with foreign affairs, the other with matters at home.
Lord Chamberlain provided the monarch's everyday needs and helped them govern. Went everywhere with the monarch, usually in London in winter and 'on progress' around the country in summer. Responsible for the monarch’s writing office, private chapel, Privy Chamber, Presence Chamber, Guard Chamber and ceremonial duties.
Within Parliament, there were 24-27 bishops and 50-60 Lords in the House of Lords, each appointed by the Crown. The Commons consisted of two representatives from each shire (Wales had 1). Elected by owners of freehold land worth 40 shillings in rents. Overall, 296 members in 1500, 400 in 1558.
EVALUATION
Negatives - young and impulsive, clashed with more conservative councillors. Frustrated with his council’s anti-war attitude. Men of his Privy Chamber exacerbated Henry’s dislike of his councillors.
Rule by council was complex and involved getting policies past the ‘Course of the Seals’ - documents stamped by a seris of different men before something could be put into action.
Positives - in his early years, the Council allowed Henry to focus on building a magnificent court. The decision to have Empson and Dudley executed distanced Henry from the issues of his father’s reign. Streamlined the Council down to 20 permanent men.
HENRY VII VS HENRY VIII
Henry VIII - continued to use JPs rather than rely on nobility. Also encouraged talented advisers and administrators from outside the nobility. Didn’t suit close personal control of day-to-day government. Preferred to act out a combination of medieval and Renaissance images of kingship - Medieval ‘good lord’ exhibits courage and honour, Renaissance ‘universal man’ as skilled in courtly etiquette and arts as warfare. Encouraged factionalism at court, as ministers assumed more power - rivalry developing between groups of ambitious courtiers, powerful nobles and ministers, as all keen to win the limited patronage.
Henry VII - personal and extremely conscientious. Made major decisions himself, without the aid of the chief minister. Moved administration of finances into private rooms at court, out of the Treasury and Exchequer. Largely ignored Parliament, wasn’t prepared to trust members of the nobility until he was certain they could be forced to obey him.