Seneca
Sign up

Councils

History: Edexcel A Level England, 1509-1603, topic 3.1.1

The Council of Wales and the Marches

The Council of Wales and the Marches is one of the earliest forms of regional government in England.

Origins of the Council

Origins of the Council

  • The Council was first established by Edward IV in 1472.
  • The Council was designed to manage the finances of the Prince of Wales.
  • In 1473, the remit of the Council expanded to include maintaining law in Wales.
The Council Under Henry VIII

The Council Under Henry VIII

  • Under Henry VIII, the Council gained more power and governed the area with greater repression.
  • The president of the Council, Rowland Lee, was renowned for his draconian measures.
  • The Act of Union (1536) brought Wales into English legal and government systems.
    • Wales was divided into three shires with JPs appointed by the king and given 24 MPs.
  • In 1542, the Laws in Wales Act gave the Council statutory recognition.
  • The Council gained greater control in governing the area.

The Council of the North

The Council of the North was used by the Tudors to maintain control of the northern region. The Council was reinvigorated after the Pilgrimage of Grace.

Origins of the Council

Origins of the Council

  • The Council was first established by Edward IV in 1472.
  • The Council was based in Yorkshire.
Reasons for Henry VII using the Council

Reasons for Henry VII using the Council

  • The Council of the North was used to maintain law and order (like the Council of Wales).
  • Henry VII was particularly concerned about gaining the allegiance of the North (the Yorkist stronghold).
Recreation under Henry VIII

Recreation under Henry VIII

  • Following the Pilgrimage of Grace, the Council of the North had a renewed importance.
  • Henry VIII hoped that the Council would help reduce resistance to the Reformation.
  • The Council was responsible for serving justice in the area.
Council of the North under Elizabeth I

Council of the North under Elizabeth I

  • From 1572, it was led by the Earl of Huntingdon, a committed Protestant. He took over from the Earl of Sussex.
  • Huntingdon took over after the Northern Rebellion and Ridolfi plot. He made sure increasingly harsh measures suppressing Catholics were implemented.

Test yourself on Councils

  • When did the remit of the Council expand to include maintaining law in Wales?

  • Who was president of the Council of Wales and the Marches under Henry VIII?

  • Where was the Council of the North based?

Practise this topic for free