Government

• How many MPs were in Parliament in 1500?

  296
• How many MPs were in Parliament by 1600?

  462
• What significant change occurred in Parliament in 1515 regarding its members?

  Parliament gained control over its members, requiring them to seek approval from the Speaker to leave early.
• Who was the Speaker that established the right of free speech in 1523?

  Thomas More
• What right did the Commons gain in 1542?


  The right to enforce freedom from arrest.
• How many parliaments did Henry summon before 1529?

  Four
• How did Parliament and the King view their relationship during Henry VIII's reign?

  They saw it as a cooperation aimed at securing legislation for the king’s domestic policies.
• What event in 1515 led to confrontation between MPs and the Church?

  MPs tried to limit the privileges of the Church, leading to some being brought before the Star Chamber.
• What was the nature of the arguments in Parliament in 1523?

  There were arguments over demands for subsidies to pay for the costs of war.
• How often did Parliament meet during the early reign of Henry VIII compared to Henry VII?

  Parliament met fewer times during Henry VIII's early reign than during Henry VII's reign.
• Why did Parliament become more important from 1529 onwards?

  Because Henry needed it to complete the break from Rome.
• Did Parliament gain any extra powers during the Reformation Parliament?

  No, it still met only when summoned by the monarch.
• When did Tudor monarchs typically summon Parliament?

  When there was a particular need, such as for extra resources for war.
• What were the key events and changes in Parliament during the sixteenth century?

  • Growth in the number of MPs: 296 in 1500, 400 in 1558, 462 by 1600.
  • Control over members established in 1515.
  • Right of free speech established by Thomas More in 1523.
  • Commons gained right to enforce freedom from arrest in 1542.
  • Four parliaments summoned by Henry before 1529.
  • Relationship between Parliament and King viewed as cooperative.
  • Confrontation in 1515 over Church privileges.
  • Arguments over subsidies in 1523.
  • Fewer meetings during Henry VIII's early reign compared to Henry VII.
  • Increased importance of Parliament from 1529 for the break from Rome.
  • No extra powers gained; met only when summoned by the monarch.
  • Tudor monarchs summoned Parliament for specific needs.