Henry VII society

• English society 1485-1509


  • Not rigid like Spain or France, much more fluid
  • Emergence of professional and mercantile classes, particularly important in cities like London and Bristol
• The nobility


  • Around 50-60 men
  • Peerage families not closed off, replaced by those in favour with the monarch
  • Crown relied on nobility to maintain order
  • Henry VII had deep distrust of nobility, reluctant to create new peerages
  • Henry controlled nobility through bonds and recognizances, particularly after 1503
• Earl of Oxford


  • Staunch Lancastrian, one of the few members of nobility Henry VII trusted
  • Put down threat of Lambert Simnel, led Henry's forces at Battle of Stoke Field
  • Commanded in putting down Cornish Rebellion in 1497
• Lord Daubeney


  • Supported Henry from before his invasion, more trusted
  • Used to lead England's forces on Scottish border during Perkin Warbeck years
  • Forced to leave Scottish border and come south during Cornish rebellion
• Bastard Feudalism


  • Nobility had influence through retaining, where wealthy magnates recruited knights and gentlemen to work for them
  • Retained performed admin roles, sometimes military roles, in return for rewards
  • Henry looked to limit retaining as it gave nobility too much power
  • 1486/7 - MP's and peers had to take oath against unlawful retaining
  • 1504 - Retaining required licence from crown
• The gentry


  • Greater gentry: Great landowners, powerful people lacking title (e.g. Sir Reginald Bray)
  • Around 395 knights in 1490, military obligation died out but still expected to help administer local areas
  • Between nobility and knights they owned about 20% of land
  • Below greater gentry: Mere gentry and esquires, much more throughout England
  • Esquire: Eldest son of knight, or younger son of magnate
  • Mere gentry: Ranged from very wealthy to not much better off than commoners
• Commoners


  • Emerging bourgeoisie: Professional and mercantile classes, lawyers most influential
  • Tradesmen with skill, considered respectable
  • Yeomen: Farmers who owned their land, varied from wealthy to not much better off than labourers
  • Labourers: Majority of society, worked on farms for very little in return