He was a member of the Privy Council of Henry VIII (1491-1547). Historically, the Privy Council was the sovereign's private council. It is descended from the 'curia regis,' which was made up of the king's tenants-in-chief, household officials, and anyone else chosen by the king. That group performed all the functions of government in either small groups, which be came the king's council, or large groups, which grew into the great council and Parliament. By the time of HENRY VII (1457-1509), the king's council had become the instrument of the crown; it was made up of the Privy Council, the courts of Chancery, Star Chamber, and High Commission, and their local subsidiaries between 1491 and 1547.

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