Tudor - Government - Revision Cards in A Level and IB History

Parliament

Important decisions concerning government were made by the monarch and the Privy Council. Before these decisions could become law they had to be passed by Parliament.
Parliament was the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The House of Lords was made up of Bishops, Dukes, Earls and Barons.
It was unusual for the House of Lords to criticise the King's policies as they didn't want to be stripped of their titles.
The House of Commons was more independent as they were mostly elected by their area. Not many had the vote though so most of the time the largest landowner made the vote.
Henry 7 didn't call Parliament often as he believed it made im appear to be weak, something he couldn't afford. He called it in the early period of his reign to back date Bosworth and pass the Act of Attainder.

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Largest group was those of a church background. Henry used the clergy as they were educated and balanced the powers of the nobles. Between 1485 & 1509, 50% of H's council were clerics.
There were also nobles on the Council.
People were in the council because of their ability and their loyalty to King Henry. They were expected to be purposeful and effective.
H7 also brought in Yorkist family members if they were trustworthy.
Within the Royal Council their was an inner circle that had more access to H7.
Relied on educated professionals such as lawyers. He also relied on those trained in auditing, property law and administrive skills as he exploited Crown lands.
H7 attended meetings so he was aware.
He used committees that was made up of Royal Council members. An example of this is the Court of Requests and the Council Learned in the Law.

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Cromwell introduced the Privy Council. In previous governments, there had been councils that was made up to 100 men - although few actually attended and the system was usually dominated by one leading figure such as Wolsey.
The PC was made up of 20 men who had been specially chosen to run the day-day happenings of government.
This meant that in theory no indivual could dominate the council. It destroyed the old medieval syterm of government.
This reform lasted for 300 years with very little changes. This is important!
This reform made sure there were able men who only intended better government and the country not their own status!

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H7 had set up a council of 16 of his own advisors who were supposed to govern the country until E6's 18th birthday.
This 16 was supposed to be a balance between the conservatives and the reformist as all members had equal power.
The council did not work as the members were too focused on advancing their own power and status instead of ruling for E6.
The council ideally needed a leading figure. This job was taken by Edward Seymour as he was the uncle of E6. Seymour was given the title of Lord Protector and made Duke of Somerset.
The Privy Council was equipped to deal with the challeneges and both economic and financial reforms were short term solutions to problems.
For example the population was increasing but there weren't enough jobs. This caused vagrancy.
The PC focused more on rebellion and riots that stemmed from food shortages instead of looking for the cause and finding a solution to said cause.
The PC agreed to Northumberland making Lady Jane Grey, E6's successor.

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M1 appointed too many council members and initially there was nobody who had experience.
There were 50 members although only 19 members were fully involved.
It was large and unwiedly.

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E1 chose who she wanted on her council. Although some nobles had wealth and influence, as a way of avoiding rebellions she made sure their interests were represented.
E1 did not want to have the same set-up as M1 as her sister's PC had too may differnt ideas and caused more problems.
E1's 1st council had 19 members and by 1603 it had been reduced to 13. This is because members died and she was delayed replacing them.
Members were involved with religion, military, the Queen's security, economic and the welfare of the people.
Councillors sometimes didn't agree which meant that it led to E1 deciding what to do. This increased her power.
She was never faced with a uniterd PC. This is good as it meant that she could disagree with them over matters such as marriage.

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Henry 8 called regular Parliaments. The Reformation Parliament was a way of showing the Pope that the H8 had support from the English people. This Parliament granted his annulment.
Mary had a Counter Reformation Parliament. She made sure that she had a Pro-Catholic House of Commons. However, her Parliament was willing to go against her wishes which is seen when she failed to undo the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Elizabeth held fewer Parliaments. 1every 4years. She vetoed laws passed by Parliament 36 times. Such as the bill that banned hunting and bear-baiting.

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