Changes in Governance at the Centre

• Royal Council under HVII

  large and informal, 200 men to represent different factions, 20 of RIII's men, no regular parliament as tightly controlled money
• How many Great Councils did HVII hold?

  5 1487-1502
• Royal Council under HVIII

  Replaced experienced men with those who supported his wars e.g Wolsey, 40 members, Eltham Ordinances 1526 initally failed to reduce size
• Reform of Privy Council

  1540, Council as whole became chief minister, no individual able to muster lot of power
• Privy Council under Edward

  Somerset reduced power of council, used trusted advisors e.g Sir Michael Stanhope
• Privy Council under Mary


  Large council to be inclusive but only 12 active members
• Privy Council under Elizabeth

  Workload increased, could issue proclamations in monarchs name, had own seal
• Privy Council meetings?


  1520s-60s: Met 3-4 times a week, 1590s: meeting everyday
• Development of role of Secretary

  Politically important after Cromwell, control of Monarch's seal, post split between 2 men after Cromwell, important again with Cecil 1558
• Establishment of the post of Lord Lieutenant


  Local gov previously carried out by JPs and gentry, led to manipulation of system for own gain
• Lord Lieutenants under Edward


  Nobility appointed as LL's to deal with rebellions
• Lord Lieutenants under Mary


  Divided country into 10 lieutenancies, was only temporary
• Lord Lieutenants under Elizabeth


  Became permanent as war with Spain, responsible for organising war effort, directly accountable to monarch
• Changes made to Royal Household: HVII


  Feared betrayal so used household to limit access, created Yeomen of the Guard role, used chamber to store royal income
• Changes made to Royal Household: HVIII


  Became political hub, positions filled with friends and advisors, dry stamp controlled by gentlemen of the chamber
• Changes made to Royal Household: Mary and Elizabeth


  Roles now held by women but still important, wives of members of court or council, kept dry stamp in own hands
• Role of Parliament: HVII

  Met 7 times in 24 years, enhanced his claim to throne, passed acts of Attainder
• Role of Parliament: HVIII

  Met 4 times 1509-29, granted taxation for wars, sometimes unwillingly e.g 1517
• Church State relations before 1529: HVII

  Tension when church seemed to undermine power of monarch e.g sanctuary, needed church support but willing to limit power e.g Humphrey Stafford
• Church State relations before 1529: HVIII


  Initially good, devoted Catholic, Wolsey able to gain promotions e.g Cardinal 1515, declined after annulment
• Act of Supremacy


  1534, confirmed HVIII as head of English Church, parliament gave it authority, paved way for Treason Act, enhanced power of parliament
• Act of Succession


  1534, Mary no longer in line to the throne
• Church State relations 1534-58


  HVIII got £1.3m from monastic lands, dissolution maintained break from Rome, 1539: Act of Six Articles reinforced catholic doctrine
• Changes under Edward


  1549 Act of Uniformity: book of Common Prayer compulsory in church services

  1552: Book more protestant, abolished catholic altar, priests to wear plain surplice
• Changes under Mary


  Wanted to restore England to Rome, couldn't take back monastic lands, repealed 1534 Act of Supremacy
• Elizabeth's Via Media: Background

  Feared Catholic invasion, 50% HoL Catholic
• Act of Supremacy (Elizabeth)


  1559, Elizabeth Supreme Governor not Supreme Head, Oath of loyalty taken by all officials
• Act of Uniformity


  1559, 2d fine for recusancy, enforced oath of supremacy
• Puritan Challenge from church


  challenge to settlement from puritans e.g Edmund Grindal, 37 clergy resigned, Prophesyings not surpressed
• Puritan challenge from Parliament

  Elected as MPs so passed bills to change settlement, Cope and Wentworth sent to tower for trying to remove structure of CofE, puritans dying by 1589
• Use and abuse of monopolies

  Elizabeth gave out monopolies instead of patronage e.g Raleigh had monoplies in Tin and Taverns, prices were being raised to create profits