why did local government cause unpopularity
- Created by: Holley Wakeling
- Created on: 18-06-21 12:58
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- why did local government cause unpopularity?
- the appointment of foreigners
- appointed a foreigner to the sheriffdom of Somerset in 1237
- not restrained by local loyalty
- they either put increasing pressure on the counties for money or made favourable arrangements with the exchequer, often resulting in an increase in corruption as they became ever harsher and more oppressive
- collection of local fees
- in the period from 1236-1241 sheriffs acted as custodians
- they were salaried officials who handed over the revenues they had raised in return for a fixed allowance
- after 1241, the crown decided it could increase its income if it used the system of fixed farm
- the sheriff could keep any money he made over an agreed figure but the crown had the right to increase the incremental payments it demanded from the sheriff
- in the period from 1236-1241 sheriffs acted as custodians
- increments
- it eventually forced the sheriffs to adopt harsher methods to raise the required funds
- in norfolk the figure demanded by the crown rose from 200 marks in 1241 to 300 marks in 1251 and finally 400 marks in 1256
- reflected in the increased demands of the exchequer: 1229 - demanded £750, 1241- demanded £1500, 1256 - demanded £2500
- extortion, bribery and corruption
- in order to raise the increased amouts, the pressure on the sheriffs increased and they were forced into extortion and bribery, with evidence of increased corruption in the 1240s and 1250s
- many people bought exemption from the role of sheriff
- financial demands from counties
- the other way that financial pressure was increased on counties was through the justices of the general eyre
- sums raised in Berkshire: 1219 - £119 was raised; 1228 - £58 was raised these figures suggest that government during the minority was quite moderate, but the figures for the period after the minority tekk a different story - 1235-36: £335 was raised, 1248 - £438
- the national eyre of 1246-49 raised £22,000 compared to the King's income of only £25,000
- a clear indication of the increasing level of extractions, surpassing as it did, the proceeds from the eyre of 1234-36
- the amount raised from forest eyres also rose, with £18,200 being brought in between 1244 and 1252
- the other way that financial pressure was increased on counties was through the justices of the general eyre
- major land owners and their abuse of local government
- abuses of magnates and theiir bailiffs
- Magnates were forcing men to attend private courts, whereas in the past, attendance had not been compulsory
- lesser men were finding it more difficult to obtain writs to take legal action, particularly against foreigners
- magnates and ministers making justice less readily available
- judges feared to give judgements against lawsuits
- the appointment of lesser men as sheriffs meant that magnates were more able to avoid justice because of their influence and therefore they were able to oppress their tenants
- H made a speech in 1250 calling on sheriffs to maintain their rights, stop their oppressive rule, and monitor the behaviour of magnates more closely
- in practise, little changed
- H needed money and he didn't want to lose support of those at court and so was willing to ignore the abuses
- the localities were alienated
- abuses of magnates and theiir bailiffs
- the appointment of foreigners
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