Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399-1509 – Sinews of
Power
Significant nobles / Rebellious figures
Rebellions / battles
Dates
Treaties
2.1.1 Changes in the sinews of power : Royal Income
There were 4 ways to consolidate the power of the crown
1. Brute force (crushing rebellions / success in battle)
2. Wealth + finance
3. Support of parliament
4. Successful foreign policy
Royal Income
Strong finances =
o Lavish court for propaganda
o Defence of the realm (Foreign + domestic threats)
o Offering of patronage
o Admin of gov departments (Chancery)
Weak finances =
o Debt
o Defeat in war
o Loss of noble support (then rebellion)
o Forced to make concessions to parliament
Income (yearly) Problems
Richard II £110,000
, Henry IV £90,000 Weak finances = reason for rebellion
(Scrope)
Led to tension w/ parliament HV was put
in charge of HIV’s finances to help them
recover (parliament recommended HIV to
abdicate in favour of his son)
Henry V French campaign started the growing debt
Henry VI £30,000 Debt grew to £370,000
Loss of support from nobles + parliament –
made him massively unpopular
Edward IV £65,000 Had to overcome the debt of HVI (achieved
solvency in his 2nd reign)
Introduced policies (debasing the coinage +
forced loans) – were not popular
Raised taxes for a proposed French
campaign – seen as dishonourable when he
instead made a diplomatic settlement +
didn’t pay parliament back
Henry VII £110,000
Finances began to fall under HIV due to a fall in tax revenue from the wool trade
(conflict w/ France)
Finances struggled more under earlier Lancastrian kings – had to fund English
conquests in France w/ the 100YW
Recovery under EdIV – improved efficiency in collecting rent, improved relations
w/ merchants, promoted trade w/ Burgundy, developed the Chamber to manage
finances + was diligent in collecting ‘Profits of Justice’
Both EdIV + HVII were able to negotiate treaties w/ France to provide pensions to
support finances + ensure stability
o EdIV = Treaty of Picquigny (got a total of £85,000)
o HVII = Treaty of Etaples (got a total of 124,000)
Crown Lands
Power
Significant nobles / Rebellious figures
Rebellions / battles
Dates
Treaties
2.1.1 Changes in the sinews of power : Royal Income
There were 4 ways to consolidate the power of the crown
1. Brute force (crushing rebellions / success in battle)
2. Wealth + finance
3. Support of parliament
4. Successful foreign policy
Royal Income
Strong finances =
o Lavish court for propaganda
o Defence of the realm (Foreign + domestic threats)
o Offering of patronage
o Admin of gov departments (Chancery)
Weak finances =
o Debt
o Defeat in war
o Loss of noble support (then rebellion)
o Forced to make concessions to parliament
Income (yearly) Problems
Richard II £110,000
, Henry IV £90,000 Weak finances = reason for rebellion
(Scrope)
Led to tension w/ parliament HV was put
in charge of HIV’s finances to help them
recover (parliament recommended HIV to
abdicate in favour of his son)
Henry V French campaign started the growing debt
Henry VI £30,000 Debt grew to £370,000
Loss of support from nobles + parliament –
made him massively unpopular
Edward IV £65,000 Had to overcome the debt of HVI (achieved
solvency in his 2nd reign)
Introduced policies (debasing the coinage +
forced loans) – were not popular
Raised taxes for a proposed French
campaign – seen as dishonourable when he
instead made a diplomatic settlement +
didn’t pay parliament back
Henry VII £110,000
Finances began to fall under HIV due to a fall in tax revenue from the wool trade
(conflict w/ France)
Finances struggled more under earlier Lancastrian kings – had to fund English
conquests in France w/ the 100YW
Recovery under EdIV – improved efficiency in collecting rent, improved relations
w/ merchants, promoted trade w/ Burgundy, developed the Chamber to manage
finances + was diligent in collecting ‘Profits of Justice’
Both EdIV + HVII were able to negotiate treaties w/ France to provide pensions to
support finances + ensure stability
o EdIV = Treaty of Picquigny (got a total of £85,000)
o HVII = Treaty of Etaples (got a total of 124,000)
Crown Lands
