Henry VII
King ruled via a council of advisors (conciliar gov).
Council had 3 main functions: advise the king, administer the realm on the
king’s behalf and make legal judgements.
Three main types of councillor: nobility like Lords Daubney and Dynham but
were rarely included in working council, churchmen like John Morton and
Richard Fox and laymen (either gentry or lawyer) like Sir Reginal Bray and
Edmund Dudley.
Main offshoot of the council was Council Learned in Law. Its function was to
maintain king’s revenue and exploit prerogative rights.
Council Learned made system of bonds and recognisances work. Empson and
Dudley expertly extracted money from King’s subjects and made enemies
like Bishop Fox and Thomas Lovell.
Council was not recognised under court of law so those appearing in front of
it could not appeal.
Court of Star chamber was created in 1487.
Tudors relied heavily on the royal court as it was the centre of gov and focus
of personal monarchy and place for royal ceremony, which Henry enjoyed.
Was where power of monarch was demonstrated to all courtiers. Courtiers
enjoyed paid positions or right to receive free food and could advance their
status.
Household proper was responsible for looking after the king, courtiers, guests
and others. Overseen by Lord chamberlain.
The chamber was the politically important part of the system, presided by
Lord Chamberlain. After Lord Chamberlain William Stanley got involved with
Perkin Warbeck, Henry created the Privy Chamber where he could retreat.
Parliament had existed since 13th century but only met occasionally. It could
only be called by the King. H7 called it 7 times but 5 in first decade.
His first parliament granted him tonnage and poundage – customs revenue
for life – and passed numerous Acts of Attainder.
Parliament had 2 main functions: pass laws and grant taxation to crown.
His parliaments consisted largely of national security and extraordinary
revenue.
Justices of the Peace (JPs) were relied on to maintain law and order at a local
level in the countryside.
There were several sources of royal income:
o Crown lands
o Profits from feudal dues.
o Customs revenue
o Pensions from other powers e.g. in Treaty of Etaples
o Profits of justice (bonds).
o Extraordinary revenue.
, Changes Continuities
More reliance on chief ministers Even with chief ministers King had
rather than conciliar gov. ultimate control.
Growth in gov and bureaucracy. Gov Both used advisors: H7 with
was small under H7 and grew conciliar gov and H8 with chief
particularly under Cromwell. ministers.
H7 was skilled at governance but Both kings sought to maximise
H8 found it tedious. There was a royal finances but with different
‘dry stamp’ to forge his signature methods.
on paperwork. Reliance on JPs continued in local
Privy Council grew under H8. governments.
Parliament’s importance grew as H7
rarely called it but H8 used it to
pass legislation such as Break with
Rome.
Court of Star Chamber was
expanded to centre of gov and
justice.
Less control and closer relations
with nobles. H8 executed Empson
and Dudley.
Role of royal household diminishes,
gov moves into institutions.
Henry VIII
Conciliar approach lasted from 1509 to 1514.
It ended due to: some of H7’s senior councillors reluctant to start war with
France, H8 became more assertive of his right to control decision making, he
surrounded himself with like-minded young courtiers and became impressed
with skills of Wolsey.
Henry’s mates became Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber and they distrusted
Wolsey.
Wolsey tried to replace the mates with his own supporters but they regained
their position.
Privy Chamber’s influence and prestige remained somewhat out of Wolsey’s
grasp until 1526 when he tried to control its finance with Eltham Ordinances.
He removed the groom of the stool, William Compton, and reduced amount
of Gentlemen in the Privy Chamber.
Court of chancery was main court of equity but had become too popular and
justice was slow as there were too many cases.
Court of Star Chamber was already created but Wolsey shifted it to centre of
gov and justice. The court extended in 1516 to deliver cheap and quick
justice.
King ruled via a council of advisors (conciliar gov).
Council had 3 main functions: advise the king, administer the realm on the
king’s behalf and make legal judgements.
Three main types of councillor: nobility like Lords Daubney and Dynham but
were rarely included in working council, churchmen like John Morton and
Richard Fox and laymen (either gentry or lawyer) like Sir Reginal Bray and
Edmund Dudley.
Main offshoot of the council was Council Learned in Law. Its function was to
maintain king’s revenue and exploit prerogative rights.
Council Learned made system of bonds and recognisances work. Empson and
Dudley expertly extracted money from King’s subjects and made enemies
like Bishop Fox and Thomas Lovell.
Council was not recognised under court of law so those appearing in front of
it could not appeal.
Court of Star chamber was created in 1487.
Tudors relied heavily on the royal court as it was the centre of gov and focus
of personal monarchy and place for royal ceremony, which Henry enjoyed.
Was where power of monarch was demonstrated to all courtiers. Courtiers
enjoyed paid positions or right to receive free food and could advance their
status.
Household proper was responsible for looking after the king, courtiers, guests
and others. Overseen by Lord chamberlain.
The chamber was the politically important part of the system, presided by
Lord Chamberlain. After Lord Chamberlain William Stanley got involved with
Perkin Warbeck, Henry created the Privy Chamber where he could retreat.
Parliament had existed since 13th century but only met occasionally. It could
only be called by the King. H7 called it 7 times but 5 in first decade.
His first parliament granted him tonnage and poundage – customs revenue
for life – and passed numerous Acts of Attainder.
Parliament had 2 main functions: pass laws and grant taxation to crown.
His parliaments consisted largely of national security and extraordinary
revenue.
Justices of the Peace (JPs) were relied on to maintain law and order at a local
level in the countryside.
There were several sources of royal income:
o Crown lands
o Profits from feudal dues.
o Customs revenue
o Pensions from other powers e.g. in Treaty of Etaples
o Profits of justice (bonds).
o Extraordinary revenue.
, Changes Continuities
More reliance on chief ministers Even with chief ministers King had
rather than conciliar gov. ultimate control.
Growth in gov and bureaucracy. Gov Both used advisors: H7 with
was small under H7 and grew conciliar gov and H8 with chief
particularly under Cromwell. ministers.
H7 was skilled at governance but Both kings sought to maximise
H8 found it tedious. There was a royal finances but with different
‘dry stamp’ to forge his signature methods.
on paperwork. Reliance on JPs continued in local
Privy Council grew under H8. governments.
Parliament’s importance grew as H7
rarely called it but H8 used it to
pass legislation such as Break with
Rome.
Court of Star Chamber was
expanded to centre of gov and
justice.
Less control and closer relations
with nobles. H8 executed Empson
and Dudley.
Role of royal household diminishes,
gov moves into institutions.
Henry VIII
Conciliar approach lasted from 1509 to 1514.
It ended due to: some of H7’s senior councillors reluctant to start war with
France, H8 became more assertive of his right to control decision making, he
surrounded himself with like-minded young courtiers and became impressed
with skills of Wolsey.
Henry’s mates became Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber and they distrusted
Wolsey.
Wolsey tried to replace the mates with his own supporters but they regained
their position.
Privy Chamber’s influence and prestige remained somewhat out of Wolsey’s
grasp until 1526 when he tried to control its finance with Eltham Ordinances.
He removed the groom of the stool, William Compton, and reduced amount
of Gentlemen in the Privy Chamber.
Court of chancery was main court of equity but had become too popular and
justice was slow as there were too many cases.
Court of Star Chamber was already created but Wolsey shifted it to centre of
gov and justice. The court extended in 1516 to deliver cheap and quick
justice.
