The Tudors - Henry VII (Government)

What were the functions of the Council?

Advising the King, administering the realm on behalf of the King and making legal jusgements.

What were the 3 types of councillor?

* Members of the nobility - Henry VII rarely used the great magnates becuase he fared they were too powerful.
* Churchmen - such as Morton and Fox, who often had legal training and were good administrators.
* Laymen - members of the genry and lawyers, such as Sir Reginald Bray and Edmund Dudley. Henry depended on them becuase they owed their positions to him alone and were therefore more loyal.

What was the structure of the Council?

The Council was a permenant body but had no set procedures. It often met in two branched with the ‘professional councillors’ such as Bray and Dudley meeting to deal with administrative matters while the other councillors were with the King.

Who was arguably Henry’s most importand advisor despite not holding an office?

Margaret Beaufort, his mother

What was the Great Council? What was its role?

A meeting of the House of Lords without the House of Commons. It met infrequently and didn’t have any clearly defined functions.

Usually used in realtion to issued of war or rebllion to bind the nobility to descions concerning national security.

What was the Council Learned and what were its functions?

Council formed to exploit Henry’s prerogative rights and raise finances from bonds and recognisances.

Staffed by lawyers such as Empsom and Dudley - it beceame deeply unpopular as it was ruthless in its pursuit of money.

How did Henry ensure the loyalty of his council?