Henry VII/VIII: Relationship with the Nobility (comparison)

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Henry VII/VIII: Relationship with the Nobility (comparison)

Similarities

  • Most nobles gained titles due to loyalty/family connections.
  • Nobility important for attainders.
  • Gradually under control of the monarch.
  • Numbers of gentry increased.
  • JPs still mainly responsible for local law enforcement.

Differences

  • Henry VII did not trust them to dominate government roles.
  • Peerages increased under Henry VIII (+9).
  • Henry VII: only 1 Duke, Henry VIII: 2 Dukes.
  • Henry VII: Mostly clergy became local administrators, Henry VIII: Mostly laymen.
  • Star Chamber/Court of Chancery influential under Henry VIII.
  • Henry VIII gave land to nobility.
  • Henry VIII sometimes made nobles exchange land with him/the Crown (e.g. Lord Scrope's manor in Hertfordshire was taken, against his wishes).
  • Henry VII enforced bonds & recognisances/many more attainders!
  • Henry VIII reversed the 175 outstanding bonds from his father's reign

Overall comparison

Whilst Henry VII was more damaging to the nobility, Henry VIII still did his own damage, with him forcing some nobles to give up their land/estate to the Crown and, under Wolsey, increased the use of the Star Chamber from 12 to 120 cases p/a! There are some similarities between the two: with nobility gaining status due to loyalty/family and the importance of nobility, in terms of local justice, being overshadowed by the JPs.

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