Henry VII - Dealing with the Nobility

Why did Henry worry about law and order?

- A lack of law and order could lead to rebellions or threaten his power as King

How did Edward IV maintain law and order?

- He divided the whole country into spheres of influence, each controlled by a great noble or magnate

Why could Henry VII not rely on the same methods as Edward IV?

- The number of magnates was reduced in the last years of the Wars of the Roses

- Magnate control was confined to the North of England (e.g. the Stanleys)

How did Henry VII solve the problem of reduced magnates?

- He released the Yorkist Earl of Surrey from the Tower and instructed him to rule on Henry's behalf