EK work -EIV domestic policy

EIV Domestic Policy 1471 – 83

Judgement:

• Mixed success

• Big improvements on domestic policy of HVI in many areas

• Lawlessness still prob throughout land

• V. knowledgeable about nobles and gentry – knew who to depend on for good gov

EIV style of ruling:

• EIV at heart of gov working w/ energy + interest

• Aims to improve efficiency of gov
  > carefully selected men of ability to work
     ~ able men to make most of systems put in place
  > continued relying on nobility to keep their localities
     ~ eg. Stanleys in Lancashire + Cheshire
  > called upon nobles to offer advice in council when needed

• Council after 1471 – increase in men of lower rank (men of ability) whom EIV could rely on
  > eg. Bishop Morton of Ely (went on the serve under HVII – appreciated as admin), William Lord Hastings + William Parr
     ~ relied on for judicial matters + policy decisions

• EIV only 29 1471 = ability to charm his people
  > faced easier polit. Situation than 1461
     ~ eg. Deaths of HVI + Prince Edward = figureheads for opp removed
     ~ remaining Lancastrians peace w/ EIV
        - spared DoExeter + EoOxford

Kingship and Spendour in Court:

• V.complex w/ diff personalities w/ vary levels of success
  > Conscious of power – prep to use anger
  > successful mil. leader
  > man described as lazy (eg. avoided invasion of France 1475)
     ~ became large in size w/ habit of avoiding work
     ~ fondness of women + wine
  

• Expenditure neither frivolous nor selfish
  > needed to look magnificient
  > spent lavishly on finest craftesmen
• Dressed appropriately to look the part
  > extravagant clothing
  > style never seen before
  > 'England's tallest king' - 6ft 4inches
  > positive view of health before French invasion 1475 -> after more negative
   …