How much of a threat was posed by the Nobility? Past Nobility

It is important to keep in mind that Henry was unable to fully rid of nobility. Fifteenth century society saw Government as a co-operative effort between King and Nobles. Because of the wealth and power of the nobles, no King could could govern effectively without them.

During the reigns of Edward IV and Richard III, the nobility had undoubtedly gained in power as the crown had grown weaker. This was due in no small part to Edward's use of the nobility as a means of controlling large areas of England. Edward's government had been described as a 'regime founded on regional authority delegated to his most trusted lieutenants. Henry's aim was to re-establish the primacy of the throne.

Take a look at the power blocs pre-1483

Lancashire and Chesire:

Thomas, Lord Stanley

Wales and the Marches:

Earl Rivers

West Midlands and the South-West:

Thomas Grey, Marquis of Dorset

North/North-east:

Richard, Duke of Gloucester

Earl of Northumberland

North Midlands:

Lord Hastings

East Midlands and East Anglia:

Duke of Norfolk

South-East:

The King and lesser household men

Henry's relations towards nobility were conditioned by two principal factors. First and foremost, Henry realised that he himself was a usurper. If he could take the throne by force, what was stopping anyone else from doing the same thing? Second, the Wars of the Roses had rumbled on and off for nearly 30 years and the vast majority of people were tired of the uncertainty that such instability caused. Henry knew that, if he was to survive, he had to play the part of a King successfully and bring stability to England.

As the nobility's feudal Lord, Henry had to be sure of securing their loyalty or at least their submission. Without this, he could never be secure. Admittedly, the nobility had been at the heart of the of the century's political upheavals, but the idea was suppressing or ruling without the support of the nobility was seen by the contemporaries as widely eccentric.