Cheshire and the Tudor State, 1480-1560

Asserts the importance of the semi-autonomous political, administrative and judicial system of the palatinate of Chester in the early Tudor period. 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.

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 Thorton is Senior Lecturer and Head of History at the University of Huddersfield.

Introduction - the historiography of centralisation and the palatinate in 15th century: The aristocracy and gentry of Cheshire. Part 1 The palatinate - alive and active: the political culture of the palatinate
the Cheshire mise - taxation in an autonomous county
the Chester council and exchequer - powerful local institutions. Part 2 Development and change: the Westminster and other external law courts
Parliament and legislation
the officers of the palatinate. Part 3 Politics and provincial privilege: Henry VII and the palatinate
Wolsey, Cromwell and Cheshire politics, 1509-1536
the late 1530s and after.