Central Gov

• The King’s Council was chosen by the king and there were over 200 councillors during his reign. Meetings were held by smaller numbers.
• The king occasionally relied on an inner group to improve efficiency. It was made up of: the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Privy Seal, the Lord Treasurer, and five others.
• Smaller committees were used and there was an establishment of a Court of Requests, Court of General Surveyors, and the Council Learned in the Law.
• The most important members of the King’s Council were gentry as Henry did not rely on particular families and instead got chief advisors from lesser landowners, gentry, or professional classes (e.g. lawyers). Men like Reginald Bray and Edmund Dudley rose to power this way.
• The Council Learned in the Law was hated due to its links with bonds and recognisances as they supervised its collection. After 1504, this became worse as Empson and Dudley ensured that royal rights were enforced, causing resentment. This led to their execution under Henry VIII.