Henry's Government

• Who was Henry's Lord Chancellor and what were his responsibilities?

  John Morton, who was responsible for administration.
• Who was Henry's Treasurer of the Exchequer and what were his responsibilities?

  Lord Dynham, who was responsible for the country's finances.
• Who was Henry's Lord Privy Seal?

  Richard Foxe
• What was the King's Council?

  • Consisted of over 200 councillors (227 at its peak)
  • Its purpose was to advise the King on matters of state, administer law and order, and to act in a judicial capacity in the prosecution of nobles
• How many times was Parliament called throughout Henry's reign?

  7
• What was the purpose of Parliament?

  To show that all power derived from the crown, and laws also held more gravitas when ratified by Parliament
• What was the Council Learned in Law?

  • Established in 1495
  • It ensured that all nobles paid their outstanding bonds and recognisances, and to deal with royal lands and the rights of the King as a feudal overlord, thus extending the idea of the King's prerogative
• What was the Star Chamber?

  • Formed in 1487
  • It was responsible for prosecuting anyone who behaved in a rebellious or lawless manner, helping Henry to maintain law and order after the decades of instability from the Wars of the Roses
  • But it didn't meet regularly at all
• When did Henry revive the Council of Wales and why?

  • Revived in 1493
  • Its purpose was to create a single system of counties and lordships, and to abolish the privileges of marcher lords under the nominal head of Arthur
• Was the Council of Wales successful?

  • Henry introduced the policy of appointing Welshmen to key Welsh positions
  • By 1495, only half a dozen marcher lordships remained in private lands
• When was Poyning's Law passed and why?

  • Passed in 1494
  • It made Prince Henry Lord Lieutenant and Edward Poyning Lord Deputy
  • It stipulated that Irish parliaments could only be called and pass laws with the prior approval of the King
• Was Poyning's Law successful?

  • Poyning failed to control Ulster
  • Henry reverted back to his earlier policy of ruling via Irish chieftains, with the Earl of Kildare being reinstated as Lord Deputy
• What was the purpose of the Council of North?

  It defended the northern border and had administrative and judicial power to enforce the law
• Was the Council of North successful?

  • It was watched closely by the Council in London
  • The members of the council were appointed by Henry to ensure greater loyalty and enforcement of royal will
• What were the roles of Justices of the Peace?

  • To defend public order
  • To replace suspect members of juries
  • To reward goodwill
  • To implement various social and economical statutes
  • To dispense justice to criminals brought before them by sheriffs
  • To arrest and question poachers and hunters-in-disguise
  • To grant bail to those awaiting bail
  • To act in cases of non-capital offence without a jury
• What were the roles of sheriffs?

  • To keep the peace
  • To arrest, detain and prosecute criminals
  • To organise and supervise elections
  • To supervise the muster of the militia
• When was the Council Learned in Law established?

  1495
• What was the purpose of the Council Learned in Law?

  To ensure that nobles paid outstanding bonds and recognisances, which extended the idea of the King's prerogative