How did Henry VII govern?

Medieval monarchy was personal. In any personal monarchy the political power & influence depended more on the relationship that person had with the monarch than on any office they may hold. Access to the King was the main determinant of power & it was through the royal court that access was controlled. This was always the case.

• Henry's success was achieved by keeping the elites & governors at a distance.

What were its functions?

• supported the King when making key decisions.
• advise the King.
• administer the realm on the King's behalf.
  • take care of England in the King's absence.
• make legal judgements.

Who could be a councillor?

• members of the nobility.
  • ie. Lord Dynham.
• Churchmen
  • ie. John Morton - often had legal training & were excellent administrators.
• Laymen (gentry or lawyers)
  • ie. Sir Reginald Bray - skilled administrators
    • played a significant role during the reign of Edward IV

How effective was it?

• permanent body with membership.
• no established rules or procedures.
• sometimes met separately to deal with key administrative concerns when the King was not present.
• professional councillors (ie. Bray & Dudley) often met to deal with legal matters in London.

Were the individuals more important than the council as a whole?

• I think that without certain individuals the council would definitely have struggled to cope with the responsibilities that they had.
  • Bray was a prominent figure that gave much strength to the council.
    • it was important that the prominent figures of the council were intelligent & loyal to provide as much support as possible.

What was its function?

• maintain the King's revenue & exploit prerogative rights
• King's basic rights (doesn't require permission).

What did it do well?

• made the system of bonds & recognisances (see "Sources of Royal Income Under Henry VII) work very effectively - Henry's threat of punishment to nobles.
  • able to entrap many of the King's subjects.

Why was it criticised?

• not a recognised court of law.
• anyone summoned had no chance to appeal.
• Thomas Penn - "the Council Learned caused fear, frustration & anger."
• bypassed the normal legal system.

What was the reputation of key individuals?

• Richard Empson (Bray's associate)
  • ruthless approach defined behaviour of Council Learned.
• Edmund Dudley 
  • formed a feared combination of able & conscientious bureaucrats.
    • raised the attraction of money from the KIng's subjects.
• enemies amongst key advisors.
  • ie. Bishop Fox & Sir Thomas Lovell
    • removed them after Henry VII's death.
      • people rejoiced.

• the centre of government.
• wealth = power.
• magnificent & generous.
  • Henry VII influenced by continental examples.

Why was it important to Henry?

• found wherever the King was.
• place for royal ceremony.

Why was it important for everyone else?

• rewards & status.
• distributed to those who deserved it.
• courtiers had paid for positions & right to receive free food.

What were the different levels to court?

• the Household Proper.
  • looked after the King, Courtiers & guests who were being entertained.
    • supervised by the Lord Steward.
• Chamber - Lord Chamberlain.
  • position of power & a matter of considerable trust.
    • Sir William Stanley - executed for treason in 1495.

Why & how does Henry change the chamber?

• created a new Privy Chamber.
  • King could retreat, protected by his servants.
• more difficult for those who were out of favour to regain the King's support.