Cheshire and the Tudor State 1480-1560

by Thornton, Tim

• ISBN13: 9780861932481
• ISBN10: 086193248X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-12-01
• Publisher: Royal Historical Society

Summary

This book asserts the importance of the semi-autonomous political, administrative and judicial system of the palatinate of Chester, and of other similar jurisdictions, in the early Tudor period. Contrary to the impression conveyed in almost all recent writing, the culture of centre and locality justified and glorified the palatinate: taxation, a crucial issue, was still agreed through a local parliament and paid in the traditional manner; and the council of the earl of Chester was potent enough to tap the demand for equitable justice, giving birth to the Chester exchequer. Changes did occur, but despite political imperatives, administrative momentum, and the imperial ideal (presented particularly in the work of Thomas Cromwell) the Chester palatinate as a cultural, social and political institution emerged in the 1560s altered but still formidable.TIM THORNTON is Senior Lecturer and Head of History at the University of Huddersfield.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Abbreviations	xi
Introduction: the historiography of centralisation and the palatinate in the fifteenth century	1	(16)
The aristocracy and gentry of Cheshire	17	(24)
PART I: THE PALATINATE: ALIVE AND ACTIVE
The political culture of the palatinate	41	(22)
The Chester mise: taxation in an autonomous county	63	(18)
The Chester council and exchequer: powerful local institutions	81	(22)
PART II: DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE
The Westminster and other external law courts	103	(16)
Parliament and legislation	119	(24)
The officers of the palatinate	143	(22)
PART III: POLITICS AND PROVINCIAL PRIVILEGE
Henry VII and the palatinate	165	(22)
Wolsey, Cromwell and Cheshire politics, 1509-1536	187	(27)
The late 1530s and after	214	(28)
Conclusion	242	(15)
Bibliography	257	(36)
Index	293