The palatinate of Durham and the Tudor state, c. 1485-1558
This thesis is an examination of several local families and their role shaping the palatinate of Durhamâs position within the early Tudor state. Histories of the late medieval and early Tudor bishopric have tended to treat the palatinate as either an intractable obstacle to the consolidation of the English state, or as a highly distinctive and autonomous seat of power in the North-East, free from any meaningful encroachment by the crown. This thesis reframes Durham within the wider context of advancements in the early Tudor state and, particularly, more recent discussions on the nature and efficacy of patron-client or patronage networks. The central themes of this thesis are threefold. First, rather than see the history of Durham, its bishops, and landowners as a pitched battle against crown intervention, this thesis posits a new interpretation, one which foregrounds cooperation and mutual benefit. Early Tudor attitudes towards Durham were, for the most part, not grounded on a desire to abolish or undermine the bishopric and its political and administrative infrastructure. Where Durhamâs resources could be applied for the betterment of the national polity, successive governments sought to work with, not
Geall, Edward
DA Great Britain
The palatinate of Durham and the Tudor state, c. 1485-1558. This thesis is an examination of several local families and their role shaping the palatinate of Durhamâs position within the early Tudor state. Histories of the late medieval and early Tudor bishopric have tended to treat the palatinate as either an intractable obstacle to the consolidation of the English state, or as a highly distinctive and autonomous seat of power in the North-East, free from any meaningful encroachment by the crown. This thesis reframes Durham within the wider context of advancements in the early Tudor state and, particularly, more recent discussions on the nature and efficacy of patron-client or patronage networks. The central themes of this thesis are threefold. First, rather than see the history of Durham, its bishops, and landowners as a pitched battle against crown intervention, this thesis posits a new interpretation, one which foregrounds cooperation and mutual benefit. Early Tudor attitudes towards Durham were, for the most part, not grounded on a desire to abolish or undermine the bishopric and its political and administrative infrastructure. Where Durhamâs resources could be applied for the betterment of the national polity, successive governments sought to work with, not
palatinate durham tudor state examination several local family role_shape palatinate durham position_within early_tudor state histories late_medieval early_tudor tend treat palatinate either intractable obstacle consolidation english state highly distinctive autonomous seat power north_east free meaningful crown reframes durham within_wide context advancement early_tudor state particularly recent_discussion nature efficacy patron client patronage_network central_theme threefold first rather see history durham bishops landowner pitch battle crown intervention posit new_interpretation foreground cooperation mutual benefit early_tudor attitude_towards durham part ground desire abolish undermine political_administrative infrastructure durham resource could_apply national polity successive_government seek work