Success of Henry VII in strengthening the financial position of the Crown.

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Success of Henry VII in strengthening the financial position of the Crown.

Crown lands.

Crown lands were the king’s estates. There were many ways in which Henry increased the yield of his crown lands.

  • Henry gained a lot of land from the Battle of Bosworth by naming himself king before the day of the battle therefore making all his opponents traitors and had the right to attain them all.
  • He gained a lot of land partly by good fortune from York and Lancaster.
  • Henry was not as generous as pass kings e.g. Edward IV, and kept most of his lands to himself but with the exception with some people like his mother, his uncle Jasper.
  • Used escheats, which were a right for the king to have lands passed to him when men died without heirs.
  • Skilful workers that helped Henry increase yield of lands e.g. Duchy of Lancaster and Sir Reginald Bray.
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Effectiveness of policy.

Income from crown lands was increased by 30 % generally during his reign and with the help of Sir Reginald Bray the annual income of £650 increased 10 fold.

Custom duties.

Theses were levied on wool, leather, cloth and wine. It was a fee, which was needed to be paid for trading. Edward IV increased his income by increasing trade and cutting down on embezzlement at all levels. Henry did the same and followed what Edward IV did.

Effectiveness of policy.

The average annual receipts were £33,000 for the first 10 years of ...

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