Elites and commoners

Elites

What was changing about the feudal system?

The reign of Henry VIII still had remnants of the feudal system existing but, in contrast, there was the growth of a professional and commercial bourgeoisie

Who represented the social elite?

Traditional nobles (or peers) and the greater gentry still represented a social elite which still held a considerable amount of political and economic influence

The nobility

To what extent did the nobility (peerage) expand?

The peerage sizes increased during the reign of Henry VIII, though by the end of the reign there were only 9 more peers than there had been at the beginning

What were the leeding causes od the creation of new peers?

The creation of new peers had been to a large extent offset both by deaths and by the number of attainders during the reign

How did many climb the ranks to be a peer?

• Most of the new peers achieved their rank by successful royal service as courtiers or soldiers

• In some cases this was enhanced by a close family relationship

→ The king’s brother-in-law Edward Seymour was elevated to the earldom of Hertford

Who was englands only duke when Henry VIII became king?

Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham was England's only duke when Henry VIII came to the throne

What titles did Norfolk and Suffolk hold?

Henry VIII only promoted two non-royal ducal titles, Norfolk and Suffolk with their holders serving the king as soldiers and courtiers

How did Nofolk get this role?

Norfolk was restored to the title which had been held by his father

How did Suffolk get this role?

Suffolk seems to have been promoted on account of the closeness of his personal relationship with the king in a move which was criticised in some quarters

How was property used by henry in terms of control?

Henry did sometimes granted property to nobles allowing them to exert royal authority in particular areas

Why and when did Henry VIII grant Suffolk power?

Suffolk was provided with property in Lincolnshire after the rebellion there in 1536 and the king ordered him to move there to ensure that he could exert that authority in person

Why was John, Baron Russell given land?

John, Baron Russell, was raised to the peerage and provided with lands in Devon to bolster royal authority in the south-west following the execution of the Marquess of Exeter

What were the social expectations for nobility?

• Nobles were expected to have great households and offer hospitality to their affinity and neighbours but doing this too openly could make a noble an object of royal suspicion, as was the case with Buckingham

• However, in a noble households maintenance of local influence and to the recruitment of royal armies was key

How were aspects of bastard feuldalism still seen society?

Bastard feudalism didn’t died away completely however, the nobility was being brought more under the control of the monarch

• These changes were reflected in by the fate of Thomas Fiennes, Baron Dacre of the South as in 1541 he tried for the murder of and he was convicted and hanged like a common criminal.

This would have likely not happened at the start of the Tudor period

What key figures were executed by Henry VIII?

Many other nobles fell victim to Henry VIII in more orthodox fashion with Henry ordering various executions such as:

• The Duke of Buckingham was executed for treason on the vaguest of charges in 1521

• Lords Darcy and Hussey were executed for their roles in the rebellion of 1536

• Henry's actions being perfectly justified according to the legal standards of the day

The Gentry

How many genty families were there?

Historians suggested there were about 5000 gentry families in England in 1540

What was granted as a sign of royal favour?

Knighthoods were granted as a sign of royal favour, and a knight would have an income which reflected his status

How many knightly families were there? (and what year)

It was suggested that there were about 200 knightly families in 1524

What title were men given when they were entitled to bear a coat of arms

Gentlemen were called Esquires when they were entitled to bear a coat of arms and their status was certified by the royal heralds

What type of people were heralds not accepting of?

By 1530 heralds were unwilling to grant or confirm the title to anyone with lands worth less than £10 per annum or goods worth under £300

How established were some of these titles?

The term ‘gentleman’ itself lacked legal precision, and ‘gentility’ was often acquired as a result of the proceeds of office, profession or business

What 2 groups increased during Henrys rign?

The gentry population increased during Henry VIII's reign, along with the number of Justices of the Peace (JPs).

What group did their duties as volunteer work?

• Many gentry members engaged in unpaid administrative roles on behalf of the Crown.

• Gentry families prioritized their sons acquiring legal training to prepare for local administrative positions and social advancement

What groups did the role of local administator shift between?

There was a shift from clergy to laymen as local administrators, with office-holding often leading to income, landownership, and gentry status

Commoners

How was life changing for commoners in the first half of Henry VIIIs reign?

There was little dramatic change in the standard of living of commoners during the first half of the reign of Henry VIII

What happend to real wages and why?

There was a rise in the ~ rate of inflation which did lead to a drop in real incomes contributing to the growing dislike toward the imposition of the Amicable Grant

How was social change during Henrys reign?

The social structure remained relatively unchanged, with the majority having very few possessions and little chance of regular and secure employment

Why did the governemnt feel threatened by commoners?

Governments were always fearful of such people, with some justification because, while full-scale rebellion was relatively rare, outbreaks of disorder were much more common and these were held to upset the good ordering of society