September 24, 2015: England and Spain in the Renaissance

Hello everyone! I hope you are having a fabulous night of studying!! Enjoy!!

England:

Controlling the Aristocracy:

At this time, the aristocracy dominated the government of the king, Henry IV, committing mischievous violence at local level. The court of the Star Chamber- a council that dealt with real or potential aristocratic threats controlled the problem with the misbehaved aristocracy. The court used sometimes-terrifying Roman law, which ran counter to English common-law, but these methods proved effective as they reduced aristocratic trouble making.

(The mischievous nobility)

White vs. Red:

The War of Roses, between the houses of York and Lancaster not only hurt the trade, agriculture, and domestic industry of England, but the authority of the monarch (Henry VI) plummeted. The House of York won and Edward IV, accompanied by his brother Richard III and Henry VII (Tudor) restored the power of the monarchy by crushing that of the nobility.

As wars were financed by the Parliament, dominated by baronial factions, the aristocracy held their monetary influence over the heads of the monarchy. Therefore, in an attempt to cut the influence of the nobility, Edward IV made foreign policy decisions on the basis of avoiding expensive wars that would force the royals to involved Parliament.

Although Henry VII summon multiple Parliamentary meetings to confirm laws, the center of royal authority was the royal council, governing at the national level.

Justices of the Peace:

England did not have a standing army, so they relied on the support of unpaid local officials called the Justices of the peace. These justices were influential landowners who handled work of local government and served as a sort of police force.

Rebuilding:

Henry VII rebuilt monarchy through the encouragement of the cloth industry and building of the merchant marine. Henry crushed the invasion from Scotland and sought peace through the marriage of his daughter to the Scottish king. When he left the throne, Henry VII left England at peace domestically and internationally, with a strong treasury and the dignity of the royals majorly enhanced.

Spain:

Spain becoming Spain: Spain did not become Spain until Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon got married which constituted a dynastic union of two royal houses.

Reconquista: The wars of the northern Christian kingdom to control the entire peninsula- had military and religious objectives: conversion or expulsion of the Muslims and Jews and political control of the south.

Hermandades: or “brotherhoods”  (a medieval institution), were popular groups in towns given authority to act as local police forces and judicial tribunals. Hermandades were used to repress violence with severe punishment, and were therefore later disbanded.

Reconstruction: Ferdinand and Isabella cubed aristocratic power by reconstructing the royal council- supervising local government and only appointed the middle-class as to avoid future problems.

Jews: There was still a sizable number of Jews (threatening) after the Reconquista. Their rights had been renewed as Jewish societal contributions were huge and supported royal power. Governments had never tolerated religious pluralism and Spain during the 14^th Century was no different. Anti-semitism rose more from popular sentiment than from royal policy. It is estimated that 40% of the Jewish population in Spain was killed or forced to convert. Converts were called conversos, Maranos or New Christians. Ferdinand, who was not a religious man, feared rioting because of the strong public hatred of the conversos. He knew if he protected them, his power would be doomed. Ferdinand resolved the dilemma by seeking papal permission to set up the Inquisition in Spain so that if it provoked criticism, then the papacy could be blamed.

Even though the Inquisition was a religious institution to ensure Catholic faith, it was controlled by the Crown and served as a tool for public unification.

(The Jews were really "top bananas")

Thanks lovelies!! Have a fabulous night/morning and see you tomorrow!

Franny <3