He was content to allow the nobles their regional influence if they were loyal to him. For instance, the Stanley family had control of Lancashire and Cheshire, upholding the peace on the condition that they stayed within the law. In other cases, he brought his over-powerful subjects to heel by decree. He passed laws against "livery" (the upper classes' flaunting of their adherents by giving them badges and emblems) and "maintenance" (the keeping of too many male "servants"). These laws were used shrewdly in levying fines upon those that he perceived as threats.
He was content to allow the nobles their regional influence if they were loyal to him For instance the Stanley family had control of Lancashire and Cheshire upholding the peace on the condition that they stayed within the law In other cases he brought his over-powerful subjects to heel by decree He passed laws against "livery" (the upper classes' flaunting of their adherents by giving them badges and emblems) and "maintenance" (the keeping of too many male "servants") These laws were used shrewdly in levying fines upon those that he perceived as threats