The Tudors: Henry VII - The Tudor Government and the Council Learned in Law - Episode 4

Summary

This video delves into the structure of Tudor government under Henry VII, focusing on the monarch's central role and the functions of the council. It explains the roles of key figures like John Morton, Sir Reginald Bray, and Sir Richard Empson, and the creation of systems like the Council Learned in Law for managing finances. The video also touches on Parliament's limited role, local government through justices of the peace, and Henry's strategies for controlling distant regions. Additionally, it highlights the importance of the royal court and the evolution of Henry's reign, setting the stage for future developments in the Tudor era.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Tudor government under Henry VII was centered around the monarchy, with the King as the primary figure of power.
• 😀 The King's Council, made up of a small group of trusted individuals, played a key role in advising the King, making legal judgments, and overseeing the country.
• 😀 Key members of the King's Council included John Morton, Sir Reginald Bray, and Edmund Dudley, all of whom were crucial to Henry's financial and administrative success.
• 😀 The Council Learned in Law, an important offshoot of the Council, was designed to manage the King's finances and enforce his prerogative rights, though its practices were later deemed illegal.
• 😀 The Great Council, consisting of the House of Lords and Commons, met infrequently and primarily dealt with issues like wars and rebellions, but wasn't essential to Henry's governance.
• 😀 Henry VII's government operated as a personal monarchy, with power heavily dependent on the King's relationship with courtiers rather than the specific offices they held.
• 😀 The Royal Court was at the center of Henry's government, with the household proper responsible for caring for the King and his guests, and the Chamber overseeing ceremonies and political matters.
• 😀 The creation of the Privy Chamber was a significant change, as it allowed the King to be more secluded and only accessible to a select group of intimate servants.
• 😀 Parliament played a smaller role during Henry VII's reign, meeting mostly at the start of his reign to secure taxes and national security, but it had limited power compared to today's parliament.
• 😀 Local governance was vital for controlling distant regions, and Henry relied on Justices of the Peace (JPs) to maintain law and order, with their duties expanding to tax assessments and local complaints.

Q & A

Who was at the center of the Tudor government under Henry VII?

Henry VII, the monarch, was at the center of the Tudor government. His role as king was pivotal in shaping the direction of the government and its policies.

What were the three main functions of the Council in Henry VII's government?

The Council's three main functions were to advise the king, make legal judgments, and manage the country's administration.

Who were the key figures in Henry VII's Council?

Key figures included John Morton (Lord Chancellor, Archbishop of Canterbury), Reginald Bray (Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster), Richard Empson, and Edmund Dudley.

What was the Council Learned in Law, and why was it important?

The Council Learned in Law was an offshoot of the Council formed to manage the king's finances. It was crucial for raising revenue and managing the king’s prerogative rights, but its methods were often illegal, leading to the execution of its leaders later on.

How did Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley contribute to the Council Learned in Law?

Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley were responsible for creating a system of spies and informers to find misdeeds among the wealthy, extracting financial penalties from them to benefit the crown.

What role did the Great Council play in Henry VII's government?

The Great Council was a gathering of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It met infrequently, only five times during Henry VII's reign, and dealt with occasional matters such as wars and rebellions, but it was not a central part of the government.

How did Henry VII's royal court function in the context of governance?

The royal court was the heart of the government, where courtiers gained influence based on their relationship with the king. Access to the king was the main source of power, with the Household Proper responsible for the king's needs and the Privy Chamber providing more intimate access.

What were the responsibilities of the Justices of the Peace (JPs) under Henry VII?

JPs were local landowners appointed to maintain law and order in rural areas. They were also responsible for tax assessments, investigating complaints against local officials, and handling serious crimes, except for treason.

Why was Henry VII's control over local and regional governance challenging, and how did he address it?

Henry VII faced difficulties in governing areas far from London, so he built a network of trusted officials, including nobles and JPs, to maintain control and implement governance across the country.

What was Henry VII's approach to using Parliament, and when did he most often call it?

Henry VII called Parliament mainly in the early years of his reign when he felt less secure. It was used to raise revenue, grant taxation, and address national security matters, but it was not a frequent practice during his reign.