TUDORS: KEEPING CONTROL
1. CENTRAL AUTHORITY
1.1 THE MONARCHY
Strengths
Henry VII (1485–1509)
Built prestige through symbolism (Tudor Rose, Arthurian descent) and lavish
Burgundian-style court, decked his servants in his coat of arms and royal
badges.
entertainment impressed foreign visitors and English nobles alike and added to the
majesty of the King
Used proclamations early: e.g., 1509 proclamation to end speculation about
pretenders.
Promoted obedience through the Great Chain of Being and divine kingship.
in the course of his reign the overall number of peers fell from 20 to 10
Henry VIII (1509–1547)
From 1534 - both spiritual and lay office holders swore oath of allegiance
and supremacy and then oaths of uniformity under Edward which was
reversed by Mary but reinstated by Elizabeth
oaths of succession and supremacy taken throughout country by individuals and
corporate institutions like universities and cathedral chapters
1509 - Henry VII issued proclamation to end speculation surrounding the claims of a
pretender
Expanded royal propaganda: Holbein portraits, imperial imagery, closed crown and
portrait on coinage, stately buildings e.g. Hampton Court Palace.
Used parliament to legitimise supremacy (1534 Act of Supremacy).
Henry rewarded his nobility with lands and titles and was responsible for creating
over half the peerage by 1547
Edward VI (1547–1553)
Image crafted to mirror style of Henry VIII’s majesty.
Government relied heavily on proclamations: 1553 - Duke of Northumberland
authorised one to deny Mary’s right to the throne
Mary I (1553–1558)
Reinforced divine legitimacy through Catholic ritual and coronation imagery.
Used Great Seals portraying her regal authority.
,Elizabeth I (1558–1603)
Master of image-making: progresses (annual from 1570s), visited royal castles and
manor houses, stayed with country gentry, haunted with nobility, travelled to
provincial towns, Gloriana iconography, Astraea/Belphoebe imagery.
built up a strong rapport with southern, central and eastern England which was where
most people lived.
she developed bond of affection with her people who lined the route of her advertised
progresses
used patronage to keep support - could win honours (knighthood), monopolies, land,
annuities, pensions and make appointments to the church, court, judiciary,
administration and armed forces
in turn the subjects rewarded the crown with unbending service and obedience
2500 nobles, courtiers, gentry
wealth and influence of court and the channels of patronage remained fluid and not
monopolised by one individual
Limitations
Henry VII’s legitimacy fragile early on and had to deal with pretenders → Simnel
(1487), Warbeck (1491–99).
Edward VI’s minority weakened authority -> Northumberland
neither Edward nor Mary glamorised the monarchy to the same degree as Henry
Elizabeth’s unmarried status + female rule → dynastic plots (1569, 1601).
Elizabeth never visited Ireland, Wales or north or southwest of England
patronage monopolised under Wolsey in 1520s, Robert Cecil in 1590s but the
politically active classes stayed loyal to the Crown.
Rebellion Examples
Lovell 1486: wanted restoration of House of York, only dozens raised but Lovell
escapes.
Stafford 1486: wanted restoration of House of York,
Lambert Simnel 1886: Attempt by Yorkists to place a pretender on the
throne, Dissatisfaction of Yorkist faction with their treatment by Henry VII,
especially loss of lands and hope of preferment, Simnel captured and
clearly illegitimate – spared, but his status as pretender made clear by
being given job in king’s kitchen.
Perkin Warbeck 1491 – Attempt by House of York to create a plausible pretender to
rally support around, received mostly foreign backing: received mostly foreign
backing: Emperor Maximilian. No local support – Kentish forces rout Warbeck’s
army and he doesn’t even land himself.
Northern Rebellion 1569 – Earl of Northumberland, Mary Queen of Scots
was available as a possible alternate ruler, and her cause was championed
by factions who felt frozen out of power. Far from London, and plot was
betrayed before it got underway. Neither earl showed determination. Bad
timing – took place in midwinter.
, Essex 1601 –Elizabeth no heir, Essex favourite of Elizabeth and fear of losign
influence to Robert Cecil, lost main source income and in debt, executed all. rebels
only 140 - mostly the personal servants of the main 8 conspirators.
Tyrone 1594-1603 - Elizabeth neglected Ireland due to war with Spain, Court
divided on how to respond Elizabeth wanted peace whereas other of council wanted
her to be more harsh,
1.2 ROYAL COUNCILS
Strengths
Henry VII
Large council (227 men attended), but core group of <20.
principal advisers were bishops, nobles and courtiers
Henry VIII
added more nobles
clerics continued to hold important posts, especially during Wolsey's ascendancy in
the 1520s.
By 1540, small, select group of councillors emerged into a Privy Council.
senior members of the Boleyn, Howard, Seymour and Parr families assumed
prominent roles
Edward VI
Council enlarged to 30–40 members; dominated by Somerset then Northumberland.
Mary I
Continued large council but relied on a smaller inner group.
Elizabeth I
Reduced council from 20 to 12 by 1580s; core of 5–6 men (Cecil, Walsingham) doing
all work
At first, the council met 3 times a week, contained 6 nobles and no bishop
Daily meetings by 1603.
dependence on Cecil and Walsingham, who held the post from 1558 to 1572 and 1573
to 1590 ensured that it survived as a vital administrative office
Walsingham responsibility for maintaining stability in the kingdom
Limitations
Factionalism:
o 1549 (Somerset vs. Council)
1. CENTRAL AUTHORITY
1.1 THE MONARCHY
Strengths
Henry VII (1485–1509)
Built prestige through symbolism (Tudor Rose, Arthurian descent) and lavish
Burgundian-style court, decked his servants in his coat of arms and royal
badges.
entertainment impressed foreign visitors and English nobles alike and added to the
majesty of the King
Used proclamations early: e.g., 1509 proclamation to end speculation about
pretenders.
Promoted obedience through the Great Chain of Being and divine kingship.
in the course of his reign the overall number of peers fell from 20 to 10
Henry VIII (1509–1547)
From 1534 - both spiritual and lay office holders swore oath of allegiance
and supremacy and then oaths of uniformity under Edward which was
reversed by Mary but reinstated by Elizabeth
oaths of succession and supremacy taken throughout country by individuals and
corporate institutions like universities and cathedral chapters
1509 - Henry VII issued proclamation to end speculation surrounding the claims of a
pretender
Expanded royal propaganda: Holbein portraits, imperial imagery, closed crown and
portrait on coinage, stately buildings e.g. Hampton Court Palace.
Used parliament to legitimise supremacy (1534 Act of Supremacy).
Henry rewarded his nobility with lands and titles and was responsible for creating
over half the peerage by 1547
Edward VI (1547–1553)
Image crafted to mirror style of Henry VIII’s majesty.
Government relied heavily on proclamations: 1553 - Duke of Northumberland
authorised one to deny Mary’s right to the throne
Mary I (1553–1558)
Reinforced divine legitimacy through Catholic ritual and coronation imagery.
Used Great Seals portraying her regal authority.
,Elizabeth I (1558–1603)
Master of image-making: progresses (annual from 1570s), visited royal castles and
manor houses, stayed with country gentry, haunted with nobility, travelled to
provincial towns, Gloriana iconography, Astraea/Belphoebe imagery.
built up a strong rapport with southern, central and eastern England which was where
most people lived.
she developed bond of affection with her people who lined the route of her advertised
progresses
used patronage to keep support - could win honours (knighthood), monopolies, land,
annuities, pensions and make appointments to the church, court, judiciary,
administration and armed forces
in turn the subjects rewarded the crown with unbending service and obedience
2500 nobles, courtiers, gentry
wealth and influence of court and the channels of patronage remained fluid and not
monopolised by one individual
Limitations
Henry VII’s legitimacy fragile early on and had to deal with pretenders → Simnel
(1487), Warbeck (1491–99).
Edward VI’s minority weakened authority -> Northumberland
neither Edward nor Mary glamorised the monarchy to the same degree as Henry
Elizabeth’s unmarried status + female rule → dynastic plots (1569, 1601).
Elizabeth never visited Ireland, Wales or north or southwest of England
patronage monopolised under Wolsey in 1520s, Robert Cecil in 1590s but the
politically active classes stayed loyal to the Crown.
Rebellion Examples
Lovell 1486: wanted restoration of House of York, only dozens raised but Lovell
escapes.
Stafford 1486: wanted restoration of House of York,
Lambert Simnel 1886: Attempt by Yorkists to place a pretender on the
throne, Dissatisfaction of Yorkist faction with their treatment by Henry VII,
especially loss of lands and hope of preferment, Simnel captured and
clearly illegitimate – spared, but his status as pretender made clear by
being given job in king’s kitchen.
Perkin Warbeck 1491 – Attempt by House of York to create a plausible pretender to
rally support around, received mostly foreign backing: received mostly foreign
backing: Emperor Maximilian. No local support – Kentish forces rout Warbeck’s
army and he doesn’t even land himself.
Northern Rebellion 1569 – Earl of Northumberland, Mary Queen of Scots
was available as a possible alternate ruler, and her cause was championed
by factions who felt frozen out of power. Far from London, and plot was
betrayed before it got underway. Neither earl showed determination. Bad
timing – took place in midwinter.
, Essex 1601 –Elizabeth no heir, Essex favourite of Elizabeth and fear of losign
influence to Robert Cecil, lost main source income and in debt, executed all. rebels
only 140 - mostly the personal servants of the main 8 conspirators.
Tyrone 1594-1603 - Elizabeth neglected Ireland due to war with Spain, Court
divided on how to respond Elizabeth wanted peace whereas other of council wanted
her to be more harsh,
1.2 ROYAL COUNCILS
Strengths
Henry VII
Large council (227 men attended), but core group of <20.
principal advisers were bishops, nobles and courtiers
Henry VIII
added more nobles
clerics continued to hold important posts, especially during Wolsey's ascendancy in
the 1520s.
By 1540, small, select group of councillors emerged into a Privy Council.
senior members of the Boleyn, Howard, Seymour and Parr families assumed
prominent roles
Edward VI
Council enlarged to 30–40 members; dominated by Somerset then Northumberland.
Mary I
Continued large council but relied on a smaller inner group.
Elizabeth I
Reduced council from 20 to 12 by 1580s; core of 5–6 men (Cecil, Walsingham) doing
all work
At first, the council met 3 times a week, contained 6 nobles and no bishop
Daily meetings by 1603.
dependence on Cecil and Walsingham, who held the post from 1558 to 1572 and 1573
to 1590 ensured that it survived as a vital administrative office
Walsingham responsibility for maintaining stability in the kingdom
Limitations
Factionalism:
o 1549 (Somerset vs. Council)
