The Tudors 1485-1603
This course is a study in breadth of issues of change, continuity, cause and consequence in this
period. You will be assessed on your understanding of interpretations and your knowledge of the
events covered.
For each monarch, you will consider:
§ How effectively did the Tudors restore and develop the powers of the monarchy?
§ In what ways and how effectively was England governed during this period?
§ How did relations with foreign powers change and how was the succession secured?
§ How did English society and economy change and with what effects?
§ How far did intellectual and religious ideas change and develop and with what effects?
§ How important was the role of key individuals and groups and how were they affected by
developments?
You have 2 hours and 30 minutes for this exam, during which time you will answer three questions,
one worth 30 marks and two worth 25 marks.
The exam is out of a total of 80 marks.
You will answer one compulsory question worth 30 marks on your ability to understand historical
interpretations. You are asked to assess how convincing three historian’s opinions are based on short
extracts.
You will answer two of three questions worth 25 marks assessing your knowledge. You are given a
statement and asked to explain why you agree or disagree with it. You will need to write a balanced
answer leading to a supported conclusion in answer to the question.
The content of the exam includes material covered in both Year 12 and Year 13.
,The political context in 1485
England had experienced much political instability in the fifteenth century. The successful short reign
of Henry V (1413-2) was followed by the disastrous rule of Henry VI.
The shortcomings of his rule culminated in the outbreak of the so- called Wars of the Roses in 1455
between the royal houses of Lancaster and York, England was then subjected to intermittent civil war
for over thirty years and five violent changes of monarch.
Monarch* Reign The ending of the reign
Henry VI (L) 1422-61 Defeated in battle and overthrown by Edward, Earl of March
who took the throne
Edward IV (Y) 1461-70 Overthrown by Warwick ‘the kingmaker’ and forced into
exile
Henry VI (L) 1470-71 Murdered after the defeat of his forces in the Battle of
Tewkesbury. His son and heir, Edward prince of wiles was
also killed.
Edward IV (Y) 1471-83 Died suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving as his heir the 13
year old Edward V
Edward V 1483 Disappeared in the Tower Of London and probably murdered
along with his brother Richard, on the orders of his uncle and
protector, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who succeeded him
on the throne
Richard III (Y) 1483-85 Defeated and killed at the Battle of Bosworth, succeeded on
the throne by his successful adversary Henry Tudor, Earl of
Richmond
(L)= Lancaster (Y)= York
Richard III’s Usurpation in1483 destroyed the unity of the house of York, and prompted within a few
months an unsuccessful rebellion by disaffected Yorkists led by the Duke of Birmingham.
Richard III’s unpopularity grew and his rule was increasingly seen as lacking legitimacy. These factors
created the opportunity for Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond to make what proved to be a successful
attempt to gain the throne at Battle of Bosworth in August 1485.
Richard supposedly murdered the princes in the tower- unpopular
Richmond was successful in gaining the throne but there was no guarantee that he would keep it. As
with his descent through the female line deriving from Edward III’s third son, John of Gaunt his claim
to the throne was weak and the early years of Henry VII’s reign were beset by feelings of insecurity.
He was always fearful of a possible Yorkist threat to the throne and such fears did not die with him in
1509, for Henry VIII continued to fret about possible Yorkist conspiracies until the final years of his
reign and remained obsessed with the fear about the instability which would ensue should he be
unable to pass on the throne to a male heir.
, The wars of the Roses
Red rose- Lancaster rose
White rose- York rose
What was the war of the roses?
§ Name given to a series of conflict that lasted over 50 years. It was a struggle for the throne between two
branches of the ruling Plantagenet family, House of York and Lancaster
§ King Henry VI of the house of Lancaster was a weak monarch who was dominated by his advisors and his wife
Margaret of Anjou. Too much of a French influence. This lack of leadership left a political vacuum (space for
someone else to rule)
§ This led to conflict between the Yorkists and Lancastrians from 1455 onwards
§ Edward IV is a warrior king. He was young and charismatic and seemed to settle the political uncertainties of the
1450’s. Edward V took over his reign after he dies but his reign was also short lived. His uncle Richard captured
both his nephews and locked them in the Tower of London, seizing the throne for himself. In this vacuum Henry
Tudor was able to emerge.
Troubled relations between the king and nobility
The war of the roses comes about because of troubled relations between the king and nobility
Some historians have seen bastard feudalism as the root cause of the war of the roses
§ The nobility and gentry would offer the king services e.g. military, legal or domestic service in return for
influential position.
§ Began to think of themselves as men of god rather than of the king
§ Individually, they were knows as retainers, in collectives as the affinity. They would offer their services to
magnates
§ Allowed nobles to increase their powers and this created over mighty subjects.
§ They were able to take the law into their own hands
§ Victorian historians were largely critical of the nobility’s action during the middle and medieval ages.
Crown and nobility’s relationship was the crux of the problems leading to the war of the roses.
The feudal system was derived on your landed property. You exchange land for loyalty.
Bastard feudalism- the king gives out money. The replacement if permanent land deals with temporary financial ones
crucial factor in the changing relationship between the crown and the nobility.
§ Would allow the nobles to build an affinity (a following of men) which gave them
power and influence. They can gather their army and overthrow the king.
§ Retainers
§ Allow the nobles to raise an army quickly in time of war and rebellion.
,The Battle of Bosworth:
What support did Henry have leading up to the battle of Bosworth Field?
§ Henry received financial support from the French King Charles VII
§ When Henry landed in Pembrokeshire in Wales, the place of his birth, he gained the support of Rhys ap
Thomas, one of the most powerful land owners in Wales. As he marched towards Shrewsbury he gained even
more supporters but even still he would struggle to outnumber Richard’s who were stationed at Nottingham
castle. It looked like things weren’t in Henry’s favour and that he could be defeated.
What happened at the Battle of Bosworth Field?
Simplified:
1. Duke of Norfolk unsuccessfully attacks due the earl of oxfords strong formation- Richard starts the attack
1.5 Earl of Northumberland fails to attack ignores Richards commands. Richard is angry and rushed to attack
2. Richard personally attacks which puts him in a vulnerable position- grave danger
3. William Stanley switched sides
§ On the morning of 22nd August 1485 Henry moved his 5,000 strong army which he had collected along the way
to meet Richard III’s army near Bosworth field, Leicester
§ Richards’s forces arrived first and had the better position, protecting his archers with foot soldiers which would
launch a downward onslaught on Henry’s men. Richard also had the bigger army 10,000 to 15,000 men
§ Richard had made a fatal error, he was fairly unpopular and could not count on the support of his commanders.
§ Lord Stanley, Henry’s stepfather, and his brother Sir William Stanley were positioned at the north end of the
battle site with 4,000 men who were reluctant to support Richard who had taken Lord Stanley’s son hostage to
ensure his loyalty. They stood off to the side weighing up what would happen
§ When things were not going Henry’s way, he sent an envoy to talk to the Stanley’s persuading them to join his
side. Richard tried to prevent this sending his men to attack, killing Henry’s standard bearer. Seeing this, the
Stanley’s rallied around Henry, asking his soldiers to attack Richard who was caught by surprise.
§ Richard III was eventually killed in a brutal manner, the top of his head badly sliced, his neck broken and in
death he was mutilated. Henry VII became king.
Reasons why Henry Loses the Battle of Bosworth
§ Unpopular
§ Support is uncertain
§ Balance of power is in the nobility
Henry, knowing himself to be not very experienced in leading battles, delegated this responsibility to the earl of Oxford
who kept the majority of this outnumbered army together.
Richard split his army into several smaller groups but they struggled to cause great effect against Henry's army, with
many soldiers fleeing the battle.
Richard led his own group charging into the fray in an attempt to end the battle quickly by piercing Henry's army and
killing him. At this point Stanley led his men into battle to fight against Richard's men, believing that Henry was more
likely to succeed in this battle. Outnumbered and outmatched, Richard's army was slain and so was Richard.
,Advantages for Henry VII Threats facing Henry VII
Those beneath nobles (gentry etc.) were ready to restore Keeping the throne could be challenging – general
order, didn’t want war anymore instability of monarchy
Proven himself to be a good leader, soldier and adult – Weak claim to throne, not a linear king, couldn’t
admirable qualities for a king guarantee loyalty
Only child – no family rivalry Elizabeth of York has sons (de la Pole sons) – Yorkist
house is still alive, valid claim
Few personal enemies in high places Margaret of Burgundy (Ed IV sister, against H VII and
Lancaster)
Death of noble heirs = lands returned to crown, land can May not be recognised by Parliament
be used as leverage for loyalty
Key rivals can be punished and painted as traitors Unsure of how strictly to treat opponents – too much =
unfair, too little = weak
Supporters of R III may claim revenge
Edward, Earl of Warwick may have a claim
, Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty: England, 1485–1547; Henry VII, 1485–1509
Background:
§ French king was at war with York house, so helped Henry escape from Brittany
§ Became main claim to the throne after other Lancastrians died
§ Member of Duke Of Brittany’s court, could observe politics from afar, could see behind the scenes of court life
§ Wars of the Roses fought between Hose of York and Lancaster 1455-1485
§ 1483: Richard III usurps the throne. Unpopular during his reign, rebellions against him (Buckingham) and
rumours of murdering the Princes in the Tower
§ Henry Tudor spent 14 years in exile in Brittany, had a weak claim to the throne through his mother Margaret
Beaufort, descendant of Edward III. Represented Lancastrian claim to the throne.
§ He was an only child so no chances of family rivalry
§ Those beneath nobles were ready to restore order, didn’t want war anymore
§ August 1485: the battle of Bosworth.
§ October 1485: coronation of Henry Tudor- becomes Henry VII
His victory terminated Plantagenet rule in England and saw the establishment of a new dynasty,
the Tudors. However his grasp of power was insecure; he virtually had no discernible claim to the
throne and he had many enemies who were only too keen to see him experience the same fate as his
immediate predecessors. Therefore essential that he consolidates his power by establishing his
dynasty.
As with his descent through the female line deriving from Edward III’s third son, John of Gaunt his
claim to the throne was weak in 2 respects.
§ He was descended through the female line represent by his mother Lady Margaret
Beaufort
§ He had been born before marriage and therefore seen as illegitimate
Henry VII aims:
§ Establish and secure his rule
§ Strengthen royal government
§ Strengthen the monarchy and kingdom ensuring a strong financial foundation.
,Establishing his right to rule:
1. Predate his reign to 21st August 1485- this would allow him to punish those who fought against him at the
Battle of Bosworth on 22nd August 1485. Yorkists with power were imprisoned and nobles whose loyalty was
suspected were stripped of their titles and land.
2. He was quickly crowned King and married Elizabeth of York- signifies the end of war with Yorkists and
Lancastrians. Coronation = church and God’s approval. The ceremony showed his divine right, not just winning
through the battle. He made sure this took place a week before parliament met to ensure no one could claim he
got the throne through his wife. He did this to demonstrate that his right to the throne was hereditary and not
because parliament sanctioned itj
3. He them summoned parliament for the first time under Henry VII in November 1485. AFTER Henry was already
king – shows he does not need parliament for his legitimacy J
4. Marriage to Elizabeth of York in January 1486. Elizabeth was crowned Queen in November AFTER Henry was
already king- shows he does not need marriage into the house of York for his legitimacy
5. Embarked on a royal progress April 1486- around the time of the Lovell rebellion to the north to demonstrate
power through hearing cases, granting justice and favours.
6. Prince Arthur born in September 1486- heir to the throne
7. Rewarded supporters at Bosworth- Thomas Stanley made Earl of Derby for supporting Henry VI
8. Dealt with threats- Yorkists imprisoned (earl of Warwick) stripped the titles of some individuals such as
Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, stripped of his dukedom (Act of attainder passed against Howard). Earl of
Northumberland lost his lands (would not reclaim them until 1489.
9. Detained Elizabeth of York (before marriage) and the Earl of Warwick as they had more claim
Strengthening royal government:
He restored the council of Wales and lands along English and welsh border known as the marches. East of Suffolk
represented Henry in the North.
National government- personal government by the king. Parliament existed but had a minor role in politics and was
rarely used, they brought in laws the king wanted and voted him additional taxes.
Problems Henry VII faced:
1. Nobles- they had lots of money and land, which gave them power. Also some of them had more claim to the
throne
2. Uneven crown control- lots of control in populated areas but not in borderlands. Also underdeveloped system
for local admin
3. Poor crown finance- internal and external ward
, How he dealt with nobles:
1. Attainders- this is an act passed by parliament against a person for a crime, or supported crime, usually reason.
It was a way to punish or even sentence someone to death for a crime without them actually standing trial.
§ Issued against people who fought him at Bosworth
§ He would reverse them if he felt it would ensure their loyalty
§ Issued 138 attainders, withdrew 46
§ Payment needs for reversal, Sir Thomas Tyrell had to pay £1,738 to reverse his father’s attainder
2. Patronage – the act of granting special favours such as land or positions at court to secure loyalty. Henry was
reluctant to use this method as it would create to many powerful people ( the giving of positions of power,
titles and land)
§ Number of people counted as nobles decreased by ¾
§ Vacant land given to king – became country’s largest landowner
§ Appointed some lower class people in positions as he knew he had their loyalty as they depended on it
3. Attacks on retaining (keeping men for personal armies)
§ House of lords and commons had to swear not to retain illegally
§ 1504 nobles had to get permission from the king to get license to retain, fined £5 per month per retainer
if not
4. Financial control- bonds and recognisances
Bonds- written agreements where people promised to pay if they failed to carry out promises. Used to ensure future
loyalty
§ Lord Burgavenny was accused of keeping 471 (retaining) and fined £70,000 however he was placed under a
bond of £5000 over 10 years if he was loyal
Recognisances- formal acknowledgement of debt, with understanding to pay money if obligation is not met. Used to
force those who’d previously shown disloyalty
§ Nobles could be indebted to crown, they must remain loyal or they’ll get a fine
§ In his last decade, 2/3 nobles in bonds
§ E.g. Thomas grey was seen as untrustworthy, he was required to transfer all land except 2 to trustees. He is
forced to pay £10,000 recognisance
§ Established court learned in law- aimed to defend Henry’s position as feudal landlord, dealt with kings economic
matter regarding crown lands and enforced payment of debt
§ Earl of Westmoreland forced to pay £10,000 after fighting against Henry in the War of the Roses.
How Henry dealt with uneven crown control and governance:
Areas far from London were notoriously hard to control. Henry was pragmatic
Local
§ In more settles areas, JOP had been set up, appointed annually by local landowners; Jps were responsible for
public order, checking laws are implemented
§ Nobles who have land on eng- welsh border given privilege to maintain order
National
§ Parliament met infrequently, only to pass laws, few weeks/ months at a time, all their power was derived from
the monarch
§ Royal council- Henry gathered most trusted supporters to give advice and day to day management
§ Star chamber- they were prosecuted if they acted in a lawless or rebellious manner
