HVII Domestic Policy
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
1:03 PM
Relations with the Nobility
Seen as a problem as they had, in part, caused the War of the Roses (1450s and 60s) + had
gained a lot of power throughout it as various Kings sought to gain their support. Many
nobles still owned large tracts of land (e.g. Earl of Northumberland in the north-east, Duke
of Norfolk in East Anglia, and Stanleys in north-west).
Furthermore, he had taken the throne by force, no reason why another noble could not
successfully challenge his rule and remove him.
Henry needed their help and advice to rule (he had spent most of his life in exile); needed
them to enforce royal will in the localities; and they were required to fill key offices. Many
had supported Richard III as they had gained rewards from him so Henry needed a way to
control them... Carrot and the Stick
Inducements (I.e. 'Carrots)
o HVII gave many who fought at Bosworth a second chance
John De La Pole, Earl of Lincoln, professed loyalty and invited to Kings
council
Earl of Northumberland released late 1485, restored to old position in
control of the North (Council of the North) until killed in Yorkshire
Rebellion
Earl of Surrey in prison until 1489, released because when given a
chance to escape during Simnel rebellion, he stayed. Sent to deal with
Yorkshire Rebellion after Northumberland was killed. Later given title
Duke of Norfolk (second) after Battle of Flodden Field.
o Established Order of the Garter
37
Examples: Earl of Oxford, Reginald Bray, and Lord Daubeney
Great honour but also effective because did not dilute power
o Patronage – shift in use of it, rather than give it in hopes of loyalty, it was
bestowed after loyalty was shown
Granted to those loyal before and after Bosworth: Earl of Oxford –
became major landowner in East Anglia
Granted to those who provided good service during reign: Lord
Daubeney promoted to peerage (who had led forces against the
Cornish rebels)
Not just nobility, Reginald Bray (accumulated land worth over £1000
per annum by the time he died) and Edmund Dudley also rewarded
o King's Council – sign of extreme trust
Five of his key councillors had supported him before Bosworth (e.g.
Reginald Bray and Daubeney)
o Great Council
Clever way to ensure noble support for measures, once a policy had
been agreed it was difficult for nobles to then criticise decision
Five meetings: to proclaim marriage, in response to Lambert Simnel,
other three to support his foreign policy)
, Sanctions (I.e. 'Stick')
o Took back Royal lands
Act of Resumption (1486)
5x more lands than Henry VI
When land used to reward nobles, wherever possible HVII granted
land that had been taken by attainder so the crown retained its land
o Acts of Attainders – not new but more severe
Damaged families as they lost the right to possess land = social and
economic ruin
Could be reversed as a result of good behaviour
Howard had been attainted when imprisoned, didn't escape during
Simnel plot, process of reversal of attainder started and returned title
of Earl of Surrey
At the start he issued nine, reversed five, but attached conditions to 4
Years Attainders
1485-86 28
1487 28
1489-90 8
1495 24
1497-1500 0
1504-09 51
HOWEVER increase of Acts by end of reign (51 in the period 1504-09)
caused disquiet
o Bonds and Recognisances
Written agreements where nobles who offended the King paid him
money or paid money as security for future behaviour
Sums involved reached up to £10,000 for a peer
Marquis of Dorset required to give a recognisance of £1000, and find
others who would give recognisances of £10,000 on his behalf. By
1499, had proved his loyalty and the agreements were reversed
36/62 noble families involved
o Limits places on noble retainers
Needed a license to keep retainers and heavy fine if not kept
£5 per month for each illegal retainer
Lord Burgavenny fined over £70,000 (1506)
o Asserted feudal rights
Wardship: estates of minors placed under royal control until minor
came of age, in the meantime the estate was exploited to maximise
income for the crown
Increase in proceeds from wardship and marriage, from £350
(1487) to £3000 (1507)
Livery: payment to the king to recover land from wardship
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
1:03 PM
Relations with the Nobility
Seen as a problem as they had, in part, caused the War of the Roses (1450s and 60s) + had
gained a lot of power throughout it as various Kings sought to gain their support. Many
nobles still owned large tracts of land (e.g. Earl of Northumberland in the north-east, Duke
of Norfolk in East Anglia, and Stanleys in north-west).
Furthermore, he had taken the throne by force, no reason why another noble could not
successfully challenge his rule and remove him.
Henry needed their help and advice to rule (he had spent most of his life in exile); needed
them to enforce royal will in the localities; and they were required to fill key offices. Many
had supported Richard III as they had gained rewards from him so Henry needed a way to
control them... Carrot and the Stick
Inducements (I.e. 'Carrots)
o HVII gave many who fought at Bosworth a second chance
John De La Pole, Earl of Lincoln, professed loyalty and invited to Kings
council
Earl of Northumberland released late 1485, restored to old position in
control of the North (Council of the North) until killed in Yorkshire
Rebellion
Earl of Surrey in prison until 1489, released because when given a
chance to escape during Simnel rebellion, he stayed. Sent to deal with
Yorkshire Rebellion after Northumberland was killed. Later given title
Duke of Norfolk (second) after Battle of Flodden Field.
o Established Order of the Garter
37
Examples: Earl of Oxford, Reginald Bray, and Lord Daubeney
Great honour but also effective because did not dilute power
o Patronage – shift in use of it, rather than give it in hopes of loyalty, it was
bestowed after loyalty was shown
Granted to those loyal before and after Bosworth: Earl of Oxford –
became major landowner in East Anglia
Granted to those who provided good service during reign: Lord
Daubeney promoted to peerage (who had led forces against the
Cornish rebels)
Not just nobility, Reginald Bray (accumulated land worth over £1000
per annum by the time he died) and Edmund Dudley also rewarded
o King's Council – sign of extreme trust
Five of his key councillors had supported him before Bosworth (e.g.
Reginald Bray and Daubeney)
o Great Council
Clever way to ensure noble support for measures, once a policy had
been agreed it was difficult for nobles to then criticise decision
Five meetings: to proclaim marriage, in response to Lambert Simnel,
other three to support his foreign policy)
, Sanctions (I.e. 'Stick')
o Took back Royal lands
Act of Resumption (1486)
5x more lands than Henry VI
When land used to reward nobles, wherever possible HVII granted
land that had been taken by attainder so the crown retained its land
o Acts of Attainders – not new but more severe
Damaged families as they lost the right to possess land = social and
economic ruin
Could be reversed as a result of good behaviour
Howard had been attainted when imprisoned, didn't escape during
Simnel plot, process of reversal of attainder started and returned title
of Earl of Surrey
At the start he issued nine, reversed five, but attached conditions to 4
Years Attainders
1485-86 28
1487 28
1489-90 8
1495 24
1497-1500 0
1504-09 51
HOWEVER increase of Acts by end of reign (51 in the period 1504-09)
caused disquiet
o Bonds and Recognisances
Written agreements where nobles who offended the King paid him
money or paid money as security for future behaviour
Sums involved reached up to £10,000 for a peer
Marquis of Dorset required to give a recognisance of £1000, and find
others who would give recognisances of £10,000 on his behalf. By
1499, had proved his loyalty and the agreements were reversed
36/62 noble families involved
o Limits places on noble retainers
Needed a license to keep retainers and heavy fine if not kept
£5 per month for each illegal retainer
Lord Burgavenny fined over £70,000 (1506)
o Asserted feudal rights
Wardship: estates of minors placed under royal control until minor
came of age, in the meantime the estate was exploited to maximise
income for the crown
Increase in proceeds from wardship and marriage, from £350
(1487) to £3000 (1507)
Livery: payment to the king to recover land from wardship
