Henry VII structure and use of Government

Councils and the Court

·         The Council had three main functions; to advise the king, administer the realm on the king’s behalf and to make legal judgements.

·         There were three main types of councillor;

-Members of Nobility such as Lord Daubeney and Dynham. However, the working council very rarely included the greater ranks in the realm

-Churchmen such as John Morton and Richard Fox, who often had legal training.

-Laymen- either gentry or lawyers- who were skilled administrated. This dependence on lawyers did not begin with Henry VII. This includes Sir Reginald Bray

·         During Henry’s reign, the council had no established rules and procedures. Sometimes members met separately to deal with key administrative concerns when Henry wasn’t present. Professional councillors such as Bray, did not see themselves as courtiers and often met when other councillors were with the King elsewhere.

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