Governtment- end of henry and edward VI

Henry VIII: The administrative changes introduced by Thomas Cromwell
(and the evolution of key departments)

Structure of Government in 1536

•      The King - in 1536, he controlled both matters of state and religion

•      The Privy Chamber - At the heart of the household apartments, the gentlemen of the Privy Chamber were chosen by the King, had the closest access to him and though of low status could have an influence on him, the rest of the Court were forbidden to enter the privy apartments without permission from the King

•      The Privy Council - Group of advisors chosen by the King: Nobility, Churchmen, lawyers and members of the royal household.  Central administrative body of the government.

•      Regional/Local Government - The nobility and gentry had control over their local areas .  There were also Justices of the Peace (JPs) who were chief local government officers responsible for maintaining public order and implementing any laws concerning social and economic matters.    There were around eighteen JPs per country, appointed annually from local landowners.  They were not paid, but had to do the job properly (Henry VII had introduced restrictions to ensure this was done).  There was also a Council of Wales and Council of the North to control these outlying areas.

Privy Council

•      From 1539, the Privy Council emerged as a dedicated group to advise on and execute policy

•      This moved away from the large and informal Royal Council that had existed previously and that had been responsible for administering justice

•      It had 19 members with its own clerk to record decisions

•      Elton argues that Cromwell deliberately set about changing the Privy Council

•      From 1533, Cromwell drew up the agenda for Council meetings and for implementing the decisions

•      Some argue that these changes were already in motion, as Wolsey had developed the Court of Requests and Star Chamber to move the administration of justice away from the Council

•      It has been argued that this small, select Council became heightened in importance after the Pilgrimage of Grace, 1536, as it could react swiftly and effectively in times of need

Finance

•      The Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536 and 1539) doubled the crown’s income from £150,000 to £300,000

•      1536: The Court of Augmentations was set up to deal with the income from the Dissolution of the Monasteries

•      1540: The Court of Wards was set up to look after the lands of minors

•      1540: The Court of First Fruits and Tenths was set up to deal with income from the clergy

•      1542: The Court of General Surveyors was set up to…