How successful was Henry in reducing the power of the nobility?
Although Henry did not take many direct steps to reduce the power of the nobility per se, he did have a range of sanctions which he imposed to make sure they did not use their power in ways he disapproved of. He asserted his rights to things such as feudal dues to make sure his position as King was clear to the nobility so they would ‘know who was boss’. Henry brought in a number of rewards for nobles that he arguably would not have brought in if he was looking to reduce the power of the nobility as much as possible. Henry elevated to power and responsibility those that had been loyal to him at Bosworth, and those that demonstrated loyalty and ability. He did not have any close male relatives (like Edward IV had Gloucester and Clarence) which he felt obliged to reward with power, titles and land save for Jasper Tudor who was made Earl of Pembroke, Duke of Bedford and Chief Justice of Wales. But he had spent many years in exile with Henry and can surely be said to have earned these rewa
