Henry VII & Society

Nobles and Commoners under Henry VII

English society was a hierarchy. The structure of society was believed to be ordained by God, called the 'Great Chain of Being'. This meant that everyone understood their place: who they were above, and who they were below.

Controlling the nobility

The nobility was very powerful and Henry VII was careful to limit their power.
He did this through limiting land, stopping retainers (which noblemen used to gain bribes), giving bonds and recognisances to guarantee good behaviour.
As well as this, Henry VII did not offer patronage to many noblemen. For example, he made only three earls.

Noblemen

There were around 50 noblemen in England.
The nobility were very wealthy because they owned large areas of land.
Owning land gave noblemen political power.
The King depended on the nobility to maintain law and order in society.

Commoners vs nobility

The commoners were anyone in society apart from the nobility and royalty.
This was the majority of society.
The commoner population was split into a hierarchy.

The hierarchy of commoners

Gentry - wealthy landowners who did not have aristocratic heritage.
Merchants - men who lived in cities and traded in goods.
Yeomen - independent farmers who had their own land.
Husbandmen - independent subsistence farmers who had their own land. This means they usually only produced enough for their family.
Cottagers and labourers - farmers who worked on other people's land in return for wages.

Landlords and tenants

There was a reciprocal relationship between wealthier landlords and their tenants (people who rented their land).
Commoners lived off the land of noblemen and were expected to be obedient to their landlord (deference). In return, the nobleman would protect their tenants (paternalism).

The Church and Henry VII

The Catholic Church was incredibly powerful under Henry VII. The Clergy were very influential in society and important to Henry VII's government.

The wealth of the Church

The Church was very wealthy and owned around one third of land.
The Church also received gifts and money from the laity (ordinary people).

Churchmen

In England there were about 35,000 clergy, and 10,000 monks and nuns.
The Clergy had a hierarchical structure. At the top were cardinals, then archbishops, then bishops, then priests.
As well as these clergymen, there were monastic orders, who were monks and nuns.

The power of the Church

The Church's loyalty was very important to Henry VII politically.
The higher clergy were well educated and often held positions of government. For example, John Morton was Archbishop of Canterbury and Henry VII’s Lord Chancellor.
The Church supported Henry VII as King of England. As such, the duty of obedience to the king’s will was taught at local level through parish churches.

The Church and society

Not many commoners could understand the Bible because it was written in Latin. For this reason, art and imagery were very important for communicating the Church's message.
The Church's theological role was very important but it also served an important social function. The Church was a key figure in daily life and communal worship was very important to village identities.

Key Catholic sacraments

There are seven Catholic sacraments.
- Baptism - first step of initiating into the church.
- Confirmation - second step of initiating into the church.
- Eucharist, including transubstantiation - the idea that the substance of the wine and bread in communion becomes Christ's body and blood.
- Penance - repenting and being forgiven for a sin.
- Anointing the sick - a priest blessing anyone who is ill.
- Holy Orders - someone who has entered the Church as a profession (a priest or bishop).
- Matrimony - getting married.

1Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty 1485-1547

1.1Henry VII 1485-1509

1.1.1Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

1.1.2Henry VII & Succession

1.1.3Henry VII's Councils & Parliament

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 1

1.1.5Henry VII & Justice, Finance & Policies

1.1.6Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.1.7Henry VII & Society

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 2

1.1.9Henry VII & Regional Issues

1.1.10Henry VII & Economic Development

1.1.11Henry VII & Cultural Development

1.1.12End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 3

1.2Henry VIII 1509-1547

1.2.1Henry VIII's Consolidation of Power

1.2.2Henry VIII & His Government

1.2.3Henry VIII & His Government 2

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 1

1.2.5Henry VIII & Succession

1.2.6Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.2.7Henry VIII & Society

1.2.8End of Topic Test -Henry VIII Part 2

1.2.9Henry VIII & Society 2

1.2.10Henry VIII & Economic Development

1.2.11Henry VIII & Religion

1.2.12End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

2England: Turmoil & Triumph 1547-1603

2.1Instability & Consolidation 1547-1563

2.1.1Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

2.1.2Edward VI & Authority

2.1.3Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 1

2.1.5Edward VI & Rebellions

2.1.6Social Impact of Religious & Economic Changes

2.1.7Edward VI & Cultural Developments

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 2

2.1.9Mary I & Her Rule

2.1.10Mary I & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.11The Social Impact of Religious & Economic Change

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Mary Part 1

2.1.13Elizabeth I & Her Rule

2.1.14Elizabeth I & Relations With Foreign Powers

2.1.15Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 1

2.2The Triumph of Elizabeth 1563-1603

2.2.1Elizabeth I & Court

2.2.2Elizabeth & Government

2.2.3Elizabeth I & Succession

2.2.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 2

2.2.5Mary Queen of Scots

2.2.6Relations with Spain

2.2.7End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 3

2.2.8Elizabeth I & Society

2.2.9Elizabeth I & Rebellion

2.2.10Elizabeth & Economic Development

2.2.11End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 4

2.2.12Elizabeth I & Religious Developments

2.2.13The English Renaissance

2.2.14Elizabeth's Last Years

2.2.15End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 5

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