HVII Government

‘Henry VII’s reforms in government were limited in both scope and success’. Assess the validity of this view [25 marks]

Thesis statement:

Henry VII reformed government in a manner that ensured he was able to achieve several objectives simultaneously, such as protection from threat, increasing royal revenue and maintaining law and order. These were not limited in scope and success as he was able to achieve many of these objectives. Whilst it can be argued that they were, in some cases, limited, such as the resentment they brought about leading to rebellion, Henry’s governmental reforms were ultimately highly successful in achieving their aims.

Point 1: CLL (Council Learned in the Law)

P: highly profitable offshoot of council, developed to maintain revenue and exploit prerogative rights which in turn helped to manipulate highly influential members of society and minimise opposition.

E: founded system of Bonds & Recognisances - legally binding document acknowledging financial debt to King. 1504-1507, income of £200,000 → highly successful

E: meant that nobility had to remain obedient otherwise their money and land (and therefore power) would be forfeited to the King.

L: highly successful reform as it allowed HVII to manipulate most influential members of society, minimise opposition whilst raising revenue.

Point 2: Rebellion

P: Reforms limited in success as despite decentralising some power helped to control the wider areas of England, this wasn’t enough to prevent rebellion.

E: JPs - acted at local level, maintained law and order across the realm, investigated complaints and reported back to King in case of opposition. Yorkshire Rebellion (1489) & Cornish Rebellion (1497) → sparked due to heavy taxation

E: Suggests that JPs & domestic policy were insufficient in establishing control and maintaining law & order

L: HVII’s domestic policies were limited in success as his initiatives failed to prevent large-scale opposition from arising. This could have been serious due to the fragile nature of HVII’s dynastic security.

Point 3: Privy Chamber

P: Successful in reducing potential threats to HVII internally who worked in his court. This shifted power away from the nobility and established a personal monarchy.

E: Prevented potential danger from the king (eg Perkin Warbeck supporter William Stanley (Lord Chamberlain) executed in 1495)

E: Made chamber more secure as access was granted to few individuals who the monarch personally knew.

L: Reform was not limited as it had a significant impact on how the government ran and the security of the monarch.

Conclusion:

Overall, it is evident that HVII’s reforms were largely successful with a range of benefits that they brought to the Crown. Henry was able to increase royal revenue whilst minimising opposition and controlling who had power and authority. Whilst he faced challenges in administrating order over the realm, Henry was ultimately successful in reducing their influence.

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