Henry VII
Battle of Bosworth
Despite having a smaller force of 5,000, Henry managed to win the battle of Bosworth due to
Richard III’s miscalculation and the actions of some of his leading nobility like Lord Stanley, Sir
William Stanley, and Earl of Northumberland-
Richard had expected these men to fight for him.
Stanley’s loyalties were split as Thomas Stanley had married Henry’s widowed mother. This
led to them committing his troops in support of Henry, an act which would save Henry’s life.
Meanwhile, Northumberland didn’t fight at all.
Richard’s defeat was seen as God’s punishment for the methods he had used in seizing the throne
enabling Henry to present his victory as one given by God- this helped enhance his position.
Richard, and several powerful nobles like Duke of Norfolk, were killed.
It’s estimated that less than 1/4th of the nobility actually fought for Richard at Bosworth, but this
didn’t mean it was easy for Henry to cement his rule.
How Henry cemented his rule
The Battle of Bosworth (1485) allowed Henry VII to ascend to the throne, thus marking an end to
York rule. However, this isn’t to say that Henry’s reign was secure as:
Henry’s claim came through his mother, Margaret Beaufort. Ergo, his claim was weaker than
those whose claim came through their father, like-
John De La Pole, Earl of Lincoln, who had been heir presumptive under
Richard III. He was about 25 when Henry took power, so Henry couldn’t lock
him in the Tower of London, and this meant he became a serious threat to
Henry during his reign. Regardless, Henry’s tactic was to keep him close, as he
was invited to the King’s Council, where he seemingly remained loyal until
1487, when he fled to join the Simnel rebellion.
Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Warwick. He was 10 years old when Henry took
the throne and therefore was imprisoned in the Tower for the majority of his
life.
Princes in the Tower, Edward V and Richard, who were presumably killed by
Richard III.
Edward Iv’s daughters, but it was assumed that they couldn’t rule in their
own right even though they would pass their claim onto their children.
Henry had usurped the throne. This set a president for other, stronger claimants (and
pretenders) to do the same thing to him.
Many of the nobility had Yorkist sympathies so weren’t fully loyal to him.
On the other hand, some nobles (the Stanley’s) had disobeyed orders and joined Henry’s
side- if they betrayed Richard, they could easily betray him. Additionally, some nobles
(Northumberland) were ambivalent and hadn’t become involved at all, highlighting that he
couldn’t even really trust those who one would presume would be the most loyal to him.
, Ergo, Henry had to secure his hold on the throne from 1485-87:
What? Why?
Coronation The monarch made a coronation oath to protect his realm and uphold laws. It also
suggested that he had been chosen by God which would encourage acceptance of
him. This was important in showing that he had the right to rule (via the divine
right of kings), which prehaps explains why it was done before 1 st meeting of
parliament (which would also prevent the accusation that the government he used
parliament to become king) and before his marriage to Liz of York.
Parliament declared Parliament also declared him king and dated his reign from the day before the
him king (1485) Battle of Bosworth, making Richard and his supporters’ traitors. This meant that
their estates could be seized, and thus increase the power of the king.
Progress (1486) He embarked on a progress to the midlands and the north, where Ricardian
support was particularly strong, to show that he was the new king.
Act of resumption Allowed Henry to take back all crown lands which had been granted away since
(1486) 1455. Increased power and secured crowns finance and made sure Henry had
more money/power than his nobles. When Henry would grant land to supporters,
he usually did so using lands that had been forfeited by opponents rather than
crown lands to ensure that his power remained the same.
Attacks on retaining Aware of the threat posed to him by private armies of the nobility, he made the
(1485) Houses of Lords and commons swear an oath that they would not retain (recruit)
men illegally. For example, Lord Bergavenny was fined £70,550 for retaining, and
while this was eventually adjusted to £5,000, it deters others from keeping over
large retinues and to punish noble loyalty who Henry had suspected.
Punished those who Surprisingly, Henry didn’t execute many survivors of Bosworth, perhaps because
didn’t support him he was inexperienced in ruling a country so needed leadership. However, he made
John de la Pole swear loyalty to Henry and made him join the royal council. The
Earl of Northumberland, who hadn’t fought, was briefly imprisoned before being
allowed to return to the north.
Rewarded loyal By rewarding loyal followers, this encouraged loyalty and hard work- especially
servants since Henry only created 1 earl during his reign. He rewarded those who had been
in exile with him, like Jasper Tudor (who became Duke of Bedford in 1485). Bit also
those who fought with him like Thomas Stanley who was made Earl of Derby.
Repealed Titus Titulus Regius had declared that Edward’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville was
regalis and married invalid and that their children were illegitimate. If Henry allowed it to stand, then
Elizabeth of York his future wife, Elizabeth of York would have been illegitimate under the law. Ergo,
(1486) once it had been repealed, Henry was able to cement his support from Yorkists by
marrying Elizabeth of York in 1486. This ensured that their future kids would unite
the two families and also not be illegitimate.
Heirs The birth of a son and heir, Arthur, in 1486 helped establish the dynasty and made
Henry’s position stronger as he had someone to inherit the crown after he died.
Even if some Yorkists were reluctant to support Henry, a representative of the
House of Lancaster, they were more likely to be loyal to his kids, who had both
Yorkist and Lancastrian blood. Arthur, and other heirs, would also be utilised in
marriage alliances- for example, the Treaty of Medina del Campo (1489) ensured
that there was peace between England and Spain.
International He secured the support of the Pope and the Kings of France and Spain, who
support recognised the legitimacy of his kingship. He would ensure this international
security more so later in his reign during the threat of Perkin Warbeck, as the
pretender forced him to negotiate with countries like Burgundy, France, and
Scotland.
