Control over the Nobility

• Anti-nobility I Acts of attainders


  • They were acts that led to families loosing their right to land which would lead to social and economic ruin for families
  • He passed 138 of these. 9 were against his top nobles and harsher Penelope’s were put on men less of the noble rank. E.g. Thomas Tyrell had to pay 1700 to reverse his fathers act.
  • however Henry did reverse these acts as a ‘sanction of good behaviour’
  • out of the 9 he gave to top nobility, 5 were reversed
• Anti-nobility I Retaining


  • when Nobles recruit gentry as followers and use them as a local fighting force
  • They became a threat to Henrys feudal lord as king in 1485. He made the lords and commoners swear they would not retain illegally in 1504. Nobels had to obtain special licenses to retain. Also a penalty of £5 per month per illegal retainer was introduced
• anti-nobility I bonds and recognisances

  • Bonds were written agreements where people would pay a sum of money back if they failed to carry out a promise - they would receive a finacial penilty
  • Marquis of direst had supproted Richard III so had to pay a recognises of £1000
  • Recognisesnces also acknowledged debts and became a way of ensuring payment of money was owed to the cdown
  • This was typically used to threatened a greater magnate e.g. the higher rank they were the more they had to pay.
  • a member of the gentry payed £400 whilst a peer payed £1000
• Pro-Nobility I Patronage

  • This was the giving of lands and titles - Henry VII made it very clear that patronage would come as a result of good and loyal service. G
  • he Intially rewarded the, to people who were loyal to him in the battle of bosworth e.g. the earl of Oxford became a major landowner in east Angelina and jasper Tudor was made Duke of Bedford and was awarded with extra land on the basis of good service
  • Alao Thomas Howard was improved after his father fought for Richard III in the battle Bosworth but he ended up proving loysl to the king and became in. Charge of maintaining law and order in the north
• Pro-nobility I Order of Garter

  • This was a significant honour reserved for the kings closest servants
  • Henry created 37 of these and more than 1/2 where for his closest servants E.g. The earl of oxford
  • It was effective for Henry as it gave him prestige not power
• Kings Council

  • Being in the kings council was a sign of thr kings confidence and loyalty to servent de.g. Two chancellors John Morton and William warham retained their positions for a long time.