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Revolution in Tudor Government (Elton) - Coggle Diagram
Revolution in Tudor Government (Elton)
*Finances
More bureaucratic organisation of finance- modern revolutionary change
7 departments of states/revenue costs
3 existing of The Chamber, Exchequer and Duchy of Lancaster
4 new states of
○ Court of Augmentations - sold/rented land out monastic land administered pensions
○ Court of First Fruits and Tenths (1540)- collected money that used to go to Rome
○ Court of Wards and Liveries (1542)- collected feudal dues
○ Court of general Surveyors (1542)- administered crown land
There would be better audit (more efficient)- checking regulations and following procedures for financial
Revaluation
Some revenue costs were retained, not a complete overhaul.
The exchequer remained, slow and inefficient—more reform than revolution.
The Court of Augmentations was temporary, relying on monastery revenues.
Under Mary I, all revenue courts merged into the exchequer.
Revenue collection remained personal, with officials like Josh Gostwick (First Fruits and Tenths) serving as personal servants.
Solutions appeared more ad hoc (temporary) than systematic.
Council (crux of the matter)
Privy Council (pre-15th century) was the King’s Council, made up of the King and his councillors
Cabinet in the 19th century is seen as a precursor to the Privy Council, moving towards a modern government
Elton (1534) quotes: "To remember the king for the establishment of the council"
TC set up a more efficient, new council with 20+ administrators and councillors
Focused on confidentiality, and specialized advisory roles, centralization moving away from the judicial functions of the Star Chamber
The Privy Council became a formal board of government
The council benefiting Edward VI during his childhood as it governed on his behalf
David Loades viewed the changes to the Privy Council as revolutionary, marking a major shift in governance
Ann Weikel agrees with Elton, supporting the modernization and efficiency that came with the Privy Council
Revaluation
Guy and Graves say it was a panicked reaction to POFG.
Council became more balanced to manage reformers.
TC followed on earlier reform measures were based on Wolsey’s Eltham Ordinances (1526).
Privy Council only worked well as a team after TC died (1540s).
After 1540, they kept a register and had a secretariat, making it more organised.
The rank of principal secretary died with TC.
William Cecil became Elizabeth’s secretary later.
Cameron called the Privy Council a "smoke screen", a survival strategy for Cromwell’s clique.
Royal Household
Edward IIII and Henry VII used their personal room and staff of personal household to govern
The organisation would be personal
TC aimed to remove this personal element.
They created a more professional, structured government
Reevaluation
Medieval historians downgraded medieval kings, saying they lacked administrative skills.
A.G. R. Smith: Elizabeth used both household and bureaucratic methods, with little change.
Privy Council met near Henry’s bedchamber (Starkey), staying close to the royal household.
TC had roles like Master of the Jewels and Great Chamberlain.
TC’s structure was a mix of household and bureaucratic duties.
Role of nobility undermined by appointment of first ministers Cromwell and Wolsey (commoners rather than nobility)
Parliament
Role
Not part of the government itself.
Passes legislation and statutes.
Scrutinizes the government.
Grants permission for taxation.
Frequency + Influence
More sessions post-1530s compared to earlier periods.
Greater role in the political system.
More secure and influential position.
Passes statutes on spiritual and social matters (commonwealth legislation).
Greater involvement in societal issues.
King
Parliament becomes more institutionalized and necessary.
The King’s authority in parliament grows.
Graves View
Parliament was previously acquiescent (submissive or compliant).
King could still issue proclamation instead of getting parliament
Omni competence statue law- allow minsters to ammend or appeal provisions in act of parliament using 2nd legislation
Royal control over government
TC
and
Henry
stayed in
London
, not traveling.
They wanted
nationwide government control
.
Aimed to
abolish liberties
and
local rights
(e.g., Durham).
Pushed for
further Tudor centralization
.
Council of the North
was
strengthened
to control the
North
and
Wales
.
MPs
sent to
London
and
Calais
for better
control
.
Revaluation
The North was in crisis during this time.
Cromwell reacted to POFG to secure his position and became principal secretary of the council.
Tudor Council (TC) helped enhance Cromwell’s role.
Council of the North given more power to control the region.
In 1540, Cromwell limited sanctuary rights in churches, increasing royal control.
TC set up the Council of the West, but it only lasted from 1539-1540.
No revolution in local government as Cromwell relied on the voluntary gentry.
Conclusion
The 1530s saw major changes that shaped England’s future.
Key developments included:
○ Religious transformation jurisdictional change (establishment of the Church of England).
○ Greater role for Parliament in governance.
○ Expansion of royal authority in the regions.
○ England’s emergence as a sovereign state that is unified and independent, reflected in the Act of Appeals.
Elton view
○ The essential ingredient of the Tudor revolution was the concept of 'national sovereignty'
○ Argues that government was bureaucratic and 'fundamental restructuring' not just administration
David Starkey says 'Tudor readjustment in government indeed, but no revolution'
TC didn't have the political dominance over rivals to be able to revolutionise England and had no pre plan
There was a political revolution but administrative readjustment- compromise
TC was pragmatic not visionary
These shifts raise the question of whether the 1530s marked the transition from medieval to modern England.
The decade may still be seen as revolutionary, particularly in religious and governmental reforms.