Henry VII= Structure of Society & Size of Nobility

Henry VII= Structure of Society & Size of Nobility

1. Nobility

   • Dominated landownership
     • Despite not having no more than 50 or 60 men
   • Peerage was not a closed group
     • Often died out & were repleaced
   • Crown relied on them to control certain areas
   • How Henry controlled major nobles
     • Seen in the aftermath of Bosworth
     • Decreased the numbers unlike Edward IV
     • Controlled the marriages of them & Kept a close eye on powerful families
       • So they would not link themselves the great heiresses  
     • Rarely elevated people to higher positions

2. Gentry

   • Came below the nobility
   • By end on 15th centry= great landowners
   • Important members sought knighthood to prove themselves
   • 1490= 375 knights
     • They were expected to contribute to maintain law
   • With the nobility they owned 15-20% of land
   • Esquires & 'mere gentry' were numerous
     • Eldest sons of Knights
     • Younger sons on Barons
     • Magistrates & other men of wealth

3. Churchmen

   • Church was important for its role as a landowner
   • Social status of the clergy varied
     • Low parish level
       • Curates & chantry priests were awarded for deal with spiritual needs
         • However...
           • Bishops & abbots of larger religious houses were impotant who sat in the House of Lords
   • King had large control over the Church
     • Henry used this to appoint bishop men who had legal training & were knowledgeable
       • He was reluctant to appoint men with aristocratic backgrounds
         • Meant that the clergy was becoming less socially exclusive

4. Commoner

   • Top end were lawyers & educated professionals
   • Lower down were shopkeepers
   • Even lower were small farmers
   • Lowest were labourers

5. Henry`s use of partronage

   • He didn`t try to buy their loyalty
     • Was careful over the distribution of titles
   • Believed that it had to be earned