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State of English society by the end of 15th century different roles -…
State of English society by the end of 15th century different roles
Church
not just spiritual insitution
major landowner
source of educated adminstrators
sigifig political force
senior churchmen- sat in H of L
served on royal council
used extensively as ministers
John Morton served as both Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellor, combining ecclesiastical and royal authority in a single figure
only real system of education and welfare
influence every level of society
Nobility
top layer
Dukes earls viscounts barons- held land
exercised local justice
commanded loyalty
Henry depended on great nobles to maintain order in regions
could become overmighty
Henry distinguished carefully between the old nobility (families with Yorkist or Lancastrian connections, viewed with deep suspicion) and new men he elevated himself (such as Bray, Empson and Dudley)
Gentry below them- knigths eqsuires increaisngly important as JPs local adminstatos and MPs
relied on heaily by henry to govern at local level
Commoners
vast majority of pop little political voice
merchants craftsmen yeomen, labourers
but capable of collective action
merchant class growing in importance particulary in london and major ports
most ordinary tied to harvest fialure, inflation and trade disruption