Tudor Policies-the nobility

A threat?

• Political role underwent dramatic change
• In second half of 15th Century-ruled tenants like petty kings over vast areas of land-e.g-Howards, Percys, Staffords and Nevilles
• For example-Percys in the North-controlled about 10,000 tenants
• Many lords had private armies, battled against neighbours from fortified castles, had little respect for King's Laws
• War of the Roses-depleted their numbers BUT some still unwilling to accept Henry VII as rightful King
• Many used to governing country without King

Indispensable

• leaders of political community-governed the country
• Needed their troops to suppress disturbances and fight foreign wars
• If competent and loyal King would leave them alone but if acted independently or against his best interests he would rein them in

Restricting the Military threat

• Dismantled castles in non-strategic sites, confiscated gunpowder supplies, decommissioned cannons
• Most nobles complied, though encouraged to keep suits of armour and harnesses ready for royal service
• HVII- Trammelled the English and the Irish nobility into a state of subservience
• Statutes of 1487 and 1504-attempts to confine retainers to licensed holders-harsh fines for those who ignored the law-e.g-Lord Burgavenny fined £71,000, Sir James Stanley fined £245,000 in 1506
• HVIII-relied on 700 of Norfolk's retainers and Lord Ferrers provided 1000 men to supress P of G(1536)
• MI-issued over 200 licenses for retaining
• EI-nedded retainers for Northern Earls (1569)
• Private feuding especially in Welsh marches, scottish borders and outside the pale. However, there is evidence that cases invovolving livery and maintenence declined in course of 16th century
• Success?-gained royal monopoly of violence from aristoracy but some nobles still capable of raising and equipping troops independantly if they so wished

Ensuring good behaviour

• HVII-138 acts of attainder-only reversed minority of them
• HVIII, EdVI and MI- more generous in restoring lands but few nobles involved in treason after 1536
• Bonds and recognizances…