Involving the localities in governance, 1485–1603:

THE GOVERNMENT OF WALES UNDER HENRY VII AND HENRY VIII

THE BORDERS OF WALES AND SCOTLAND WERE KNOWN AS THE MARCHER REGIONS
ROYAL CONTROL WAS TO BE EXTENDED INTO THESE AREAS
WALES HAD ITS OWN SYSTEM OF JUSTICE AND WAS DOMINATED BY LOCAL Marcher LORDS WHO COULD CHALLENGE TUDOR MONARCHS
HENRY VII AND HENRY VIII TRIED TO GAIN CONTROL BY USING THE COUNCIL OF WALES WHICH WAS HEADED BY MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY
A MORE FORMAL SYSTEM WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE LAW IN WALES ACT

The government of the north - 1485 - 1537

THE NORTH WAS UNDER THREAT AS THERE COULD BE AN INVASION FROM SCOTLAND
HENRY VII, AS A USURPER WAS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE FROM ATTACK FROM RIVALS
THE NORTH SUFFERED FROM ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AND THERE WERE TAX REVOLTS
THE NOBLES ACTED AS WARDENS OF THE MARCHES UNTIL THE 1530’S BUT THIS LED TO FEUDS BETWEEN RIVALS
AFTER THE PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE REBELLION IN 1536 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTH BECAME MORE DIRECT AND PERMANENT

Key Developments:

Law in Wales Act 1535:

In response to the lawlessness in wales and limited the Welsh govt. which brought about long lasting changes by Cromwell
The ‘Marcher’s’ were replaced with 12 Councils of English style with JP’s and sherriffs
English was to be spoken in courts and not welsh
Country towns gained 2 MP’s each

How did this extend royal control?

Less lawlessness which meant rebellion was less likely
The removal of traditional powers of marcher lords meant the removal of a potential threat to govt.
Tackled crime and order i.e. making uniform the apllocation of English law which ultimately ended things such as blood feuds
The Acts also helped correct Welsh gentry dissatisfaction to English rule thus granting them legal equality and send MPs to parliament

How did this weaken control?

There was resentment of greater control from the centre and the opportunity for corruption still very much existed

Significance?

By 1535 most Marcher Lordships had reverted to the Crown and there was no real dissatisfaction with many great landowners in Wales linked to the tudors such as the Stanleys
With Wales presenting minimal threat over the years in comparison to places such as East Anglia and Yorkshire with rebellions taking place there before

The Law in Wales Act 1542?

English Law replaced Welsh Law
Council of Wales held trials oversaw law and order
The Council of Marchers became the Council of Wales and had a President and Vice President appointed by the monarch

How did this extend royal control?

This brought Wales into line with England which increased direct control
Powers of the Council and appointments lay with the monarch
MP’s could represent the interests of Wales in Parliament and there was potential support for the monarch in parliament
There was little rebellion or trouble from the regions during this period

The Reestablishment of the Council of the North 1537

Thomas Cromwell introduced and it was a new council which had the power to decide cases of treason
Could enforce law and proclomations
Authority of the Council extended to Northumberland, Cumberland, Durham, Yorkshire
THE PRESIDENT WAS A BISHOP OR A NOBLE FROM THE SOUTH SO THEY REMAINED IMPARTIAL WHEN DEALING WITH DISPUTES
GENTRY AND LAWYERS SAT ON THE COUNCIL AND WERE APPOINTED AS JP’s
THE COUNCIL OVERSAW THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE NORTH, MANAGED LAW AND ORDER AND HEARD COURT CASES
IT WAS A CONSISTENT APPROACH TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTH

How did it improve Royal Control?

Marked the declined of the power of the Northern Earls
Allowed for direct control in the North which reduced the chances of rebellion
Southern President made the Council more impartial
Raised revenue for the monarch
Justice was implemented
Uniform administration and justice throughout the provinces and saw the localities be brought into line
This was of significance due to the numerous attempts at Catolicism and thus rebellion such as 1489, 1536 and 1569

How did it weaken Royal Control?

Monarch still relied on Northern families for military control
Increasing resentment amongst Northern earls which resulted in rebellion in 1569
ELIZABETH MADE FURTHER REFORMS APPOINTING MORE SOUTHERNERS BUT THIS CAUSED RESENTMENT AND CONTRIBUTED TO REBELLION IN 1569
UNDER ELIZABETH THE COUNCIL WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR RECUSANCY AND IN 1572 A PURITAN WAS MADE PRESIDENT

Increasing Borough representation in the Commons:

Rise in MP’s representing towns and boroughs and local issues were debated
They did not owe their seats to anyone and sat independently in the commons - lawyers or merchants
They challenged the system and wanted reform therefore they had to be managed to prevent rebellion
MP Peter Wentworth advocated free speech in the Elizabeth parliament
Therefore, arguably decreasing royal control

However:

HOWEVER MANY OF THESE MPs WERE GENTRY. THEY COULD COVER THEIR COSTS, WHICH WERE EXPENSIVE AND WANTED TO BE ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT TO ATTRACT ROYAL ATTENTION AND GAIN PATRONAGE

Patronage - extended the Crowns control of the boroughs :

THE CROWN EXTENDED ITS CONTROL OVER THE LOCALITIES THROUGH PATRONAGE
ELECTIONS FOR MANY BOROUGHS WERE CONTROLLED BY NOBLES WHO WERE CONTROLLED BY MONARCHS
THE CROWN WANTED TO MAKE SURE MPs WOULD BE COMPLIANT
THIS MEANT THE NUMBER OF BOROUGHS INCREASED AS GENTRY AND NOBLES WANTED MORE POWER AND THE CROWN NEEDED MORE SUPPORT
THE MONARCH ALSO EXPANDED BOROUGH REPRESENTATION IN THE AREAS CONTROLLED BY THE CROWN WHICH MEANT THEY COULD PUT THEIR OWN CANDIDATES IN PARLIAMENT
THIS WAS IMPORTANT AS THE CONFIDENCE OF PARLIAMENT WAS INCREASING AND THEY HAD TO MANAGE PARLIAMENT MORE EFFECTIVELY
Henry VII was cautious in using patronage due to his acts of cautious reconcilliation whereas Elizabeth could use this to her advantage as she was a woman

Increasing Literacy of the Yeomen Class:

By 1533 60% of the population were literate
The yeoman class wanted an education to enter business and trade
They were also interested in politics and government

How did this increase royal control?

YEOMAN PARTICIPATED IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ADMINISTERED THE POOR LAW AND VOTED IN ELECTIONS
THIS MEANT THEY WERE LESS LIKELY TO JOIN IN REBELLIONS
AFTER THE REVOLT OF THE NORTHERN EARLS IN 1569 THERE WERE NO MORE SERIOUS REBELLIONS
YEOMAN WERE NO LONGER LEADERS OF POPULAR PROTEST BUT WERE PART OF THE ELIZABETHAN GOVERNMENT

How Accurate is it to say that in the years 1485 - 1603 created a stable and successful system of regional and local govt. ?

Agree:

The Laws in Wales Act 1536 and 1543

However - this did result in resentment from the centre and opportunities for corruption still very much existed - but did increase monarch control over the ‘marcher regions’

Agree:

Council of the North 1537

Disagree:

Council of the North - contributed to rebellion in 1569 and Elizabeth appointed Puritans and Presidents which increased their powers

Agree:

Increasing borough representation - successful regional representation

Disagree:

Borough elections were corrupted by patronage

The re-establishment of the Council of the North in 1537 was the most significant development involving the localities in 1485 - 1603?’

P - It could be argued that the Council of the North 1537 as it extended royal control over the North

E - This was a council set up by Thomas Crowmwell and the Council had the power to decide cases of treason and enforce laws and proclomations. This increased Royal control as the President of the Council was elected by the monarch and a nobility from the South

E - Therefore, the Southern president made the Council more impartial and due to patronage far more likely to rule in favour of the monarch

L - Therefore, via the exertion of power from the Southern president, coincided with the Council which was staffed by gentry and lawyers this undoubtedly increased monarch control over the localities.

P - However, it may be more convincing to argue that the Law in Wales Act 1535, furthered by the 1542 Act was equally as important in involving the localities in governance

E - This is because, the Wales Marcher regions were replaced with 12 Councils, monitored by English style sheriffs, English spoken in Courts - decreased lawlessness in Wales

E - Stronger Act - 1542 - English law was replaced with Welsh Law and the Council of Wales oversaw trials of law and order - with Pres/ VP appointed by the monarch who ensured marginal control - disallow threat of rebellion

L - Therefore, despite the monarch increasing control via Presidents - MP’s could now represent their constituents of Wales in Parliament as well as potential support for the monarch in parliament also - peace

P - It could also be argued that the Council of the North was significant in involving localities as despite the monarch’s control - the monarch depended on the support of the North

E - This is because, the monarch relied on Northern families in order not to rebel as well as for military support - relationship between the North and the monarch

E - However, not that significant as there was increasing resentment amongst the Northern Earls as a result of the Council and therefore leading to issues which resulted in rebellion in 1569

Furthermore, Elizabeth was responsible for appointing a puritan as the president of the council in 1572 - caused further resentment due to the extremism

L - Therefore, Council was not overly successful in involving the localities in government as it simply increased resentment for the monarch - rebellion

P - It could be argued that increasing borough representation as this arguably decreased monarch control and increased involvement of localities in govt.

E - Rise in MP’s representing towns and boroughs and local issues were debated

They did not owe their seats to anyone and sat independently in the commons - lawyers or merchants
They challenged the system and wanted reform therefore they had to be managed to prevent rebellion
MP Peter Wentworth advocated free speech in the Elizabeth parliament
Therefore, arguably decreasing royal control

E - However, patronage - HOWEVER MANY OF THESE MPs WERE GENTRY. THEY COULD COVER THEIR COSTS, WHICH WERE EXPENSIVE AND WANTED TO BE ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT TO ATTRACT ROYAL ATTENTION AND GAIN PATRONAGE

Many of the borough elections were also ran by the gentry who were agents of the Crown

THE MONARCH ALSO EXPANDED BOROUGH REPRESENTATION IN THE AREAS CONTROLLED BY THE CROWN WHICH MEANT THEY COULD PUT THEIR OWN CANDIDATES IN PARLIAMENT

L - Therefore, to an extent due to the corruption of patronage this limits the involvement of the localities in government as it simply extends the monarchs control.

How Far do you agree that the office for Justices of Peach was more powerful in 1603 than it had been in 1485?

Roles of JP’s

There were three courts that made up the judicial system: central courts of law, travelling courts, local courts
The main central court was the Court of the King’s bench and judges went on tours of the localities twice a year to monitor proceedings and hear cases in local assize courts
JPs from the nobility and gentry also kept law and order

P - Under Henry VII the powers of the JP’s were fairly extensive and this was because he was a usurper

E - Because of this, making him far more vulnerable to rebellion which in turn meant he relied heavily on trusted JP’s to enforce law and order

E - The loyal JP’s as well as courts provided a link between Henry and the localities which was vital in creating a link between him and the localities.

JPs could arrest suspects without waiting for a jury and inquire into cases of corruption By 1509 the judicial and admin role of the JP had increased

L - However, despite their importance under Henry VII following his death their role simply increased such as their judicial and administrative role

P - The administrative role of JP’s further increased under Henry VIII and this was due to his religious change

E - Under Henry, JP’s were now appointed for life yet could be removed if suspected they were corrupt/ not acting in the best interest of the Crown

20/30 JP’s were elected in the localities and carefully monitored by Crownwell and Wolsey so they were forced to act in favour of the Crown otherwise they would be punished

They enforced the Poor Law as well as sat in the Northern Council and welsh Councils

L - Therefore, due to the extent of Hencrician religious change, following the Break from Rome, he was heavily reliant on the JP’s to maintain law and order and to ensure that they were doing this was the careful watch of Wolsey and Cromwell

P - Furthermore, the role of JP’s further increased under Edward which was predominantly due to his age

E - Similarly to Henry, JP’s enforced his religious changes i.e. doctrinal and took interventeries of Parish goods - essentially exposing theifs from the Church and punishing them

E - Their role in government finance increased also as they were now relied on to collect fees for Edward - Similarly, the Act of Parliament 1552 - saw that Alehouses now had to be licesnsed by JP’s - therefore they saw a large expansion in their law keeping role under Edward

L - Therefore, as a result of radical religious changes as well as his age, the role of JP’s expanded under Edward especially regarding the upkeep of law and order following Henry

P - Under the Elizabethan government arguably saw the largest expansion of the role of JP’s as by 1603 there were now 50! This is because many of the gentry wanted to become JP’s due to the prestige the role now entailed

E - Furthermore, the role led to political and social advancement with the monarch regarding patronage.

E - As well as this, the actual responsibilities increased during - The JP’s were now in charge of the prosecution of witchcraft, recusancy, parliamentary subsidies and the important Poor Law administartors

L - Therefore, the JP’s role definitely exapnded during the Elizabethan government as they enhanced the Crown’s power over the localities which was essential for Elizabeth due to her gender.

Further key developments:

1513 Subsidy:

Individual assessment of wealth for tax collection
This resulted in the rich paying more tax
This was introduced by Thomas Wolsey in order to finance international relations i.e. war with France
JP’s administrated this subsidy

How did this increase Royal control?

Reduced resentment caused by the initial taxation system of 1/15 and 1/10
Very successful in raising revenue for the Crown and become the main method of taxation

Lessen?

Resistance in Elizabeth’s reign from the subsidy payers and parliament - longevity
Became less effective as rates became fixed and officials became more corrupt
Tax began to raise less and less revenue for the government
Led to political tensions in the 1590’s but NO rebellions which can be seen as a success

Statutes of Artificers 1563:

Unmarried people under 30 had to take any job that they were offered
JP’s forced people into work in rural areas and harvest
Everyone 12 - 60 had to work on land expect the gentry or skilled
Fixed working hours
Wages set by JP’s
Apprentichships for skilled

Expand control?

JP’s gained more authority and exerted control for the monarch
More control over vagrants, less unemployment, reinforced social order/ structure
Improved food production
Overall, addressed economic problems
Govt. and localities saw greater cooperation

Lessen?

This gave more power to JP’s therefore lessened for govt.
Unemployment/vagrancy remained a threat
Further acts were needed such as the Poor Law which shows this act didn’t solve
Still strain on resources which caused resent

Act of Relief and Poor Law 1598

JP’s oversaw the poor in each parish
Compulsory contributions made for local poor relief
Overseers would collect, assess and distribute poor relief
JP’s could punish those who refused
Other acts passed simultaneously such as Vagabonds Act - banished dangerous vagrants
Building of hospitals and houses for the poor

Expand?

National system of poor relief introduced which directly addressed economic problems therefore increasing control
A consistent system which resulted in less opportunity for unrest and rebellions
Alleviated effects of famine, unemployment and high food prices
Lessen?
Had to be revised in 1601 but then lasted until 1834
Could argue that it simply implemented what the localities had been attempting before