A* summary of Tudors content for AQA A Level History students studying Tudors as the breadth study. Written by a student now studying at Oxford University. Following this summary will guarantee you the top marks.
Breadth Study: Tudors
Legitimacy vs Usurpation
Primogeniture: the first legitimate child inherits the throne
Agnatic primogeniture: legitimacy is passed down through sons then brothers
Cognatic primogeniture: women can pass legitimacy to their sons (but not inherit the throne themselves)
1399 succession crisis
Richard II deposed by Henry IV. Henry IV’s father was the 3rd surviving son of Edward III and the Lancastrian line was
now in succession.
Impact of Richard III’s usurpation
Richard’s usurpation destroys the unity in the house of York, and prompts a rebellion and support for Henry Tudor,
who eventually seizes the throne at the Battle of Bosworth 1485.
Henry Tudor’s strengths: He was not Richard, the very unpopular predecessor, and he unifies the houses of York and
Lancaster (through his marriage to Elizabeth of York) therefore ending the Wars of the Roses. He was able to
overcome the multiple pretenders to the throne and has allies in France, as well as being a proven military leader
(Battle of Bosworth). Time in exile had taught him the importance of not giving anything away, as well as making him
sly and perceptive.
Henry Tudor’s weaknesses: His claim to the throne was through his mother and shady due to her secret marriage to
a servant. He had been in exile for 14 years (in France, who were the traditional enemy) and he was the only option,
which does not necessarily make him popular. As he had taken the throne by force, it set a standard which convinced
others that they could do the same (Divine Right to Rule is in question).
Problems Henry would have faced in 1485
People who had supported Richard III could have been against him and planned a revolt, and pretenders to the
throne (e.g. Lambert Simnel). There were also economic problems (debts due to the years of war) and many people
revolting and trying to claim the throne (as they had stronger claims than him). Yorkists could be angry with having
a Lancastrian king, and Crown control was not equal across the country. He had only recently come out of exile in
France, and there was the ongoing threat of usurpation. The Divine Right of Kings had been challenged, so others
may do the same, and at this time, the nobles of England were very powerful and wealthy, often having independent
armies.
After Bosworth
Proclaimed King by Lord Thomas Stanley (his stepfather) on the battlefield, and Henry rewarded him by making him
Earl of Derby. Stripped Richard’s body naked and paraded it through the streets and crowds, until it was finally taken
to Leicester for a respectful burial.
, 3rd September 1485: Henry goes to London met by the Lord Mayor, and there are huge crowds cheering for him and
a pageant.
21st August 1485: the date he predates his reign to, in order to make those who had fought against him at Bosworth
traitors, and he grants 11 knighthoods to his key supporters.
He detains Elizabeth of York and arrests Edward Earl of Warwick (who has a better claim to the throne than him) and
places him in the Tower of London.
30th October 1485- Henry's coronation (a week before the first parliament meeting, signifying that his right to rule
was not due to parliament sanctioning it).
Parliamentary Acts of Attainder passes this against his political rivals, which strips those who fought against him, of
their land and titles.
Right to tonnage and poundage (right to raise revenue from imports and exports), and Henry marries Elizabeth of
York in January 1486, which is the start of the end of the Wars of the Roses and unites both houses (Tudor Rose).
September 1489: Henry’s heir Arthur is born.
Problematic Yorkists
Edward Earl of Warwick: Nephew of Edward IV and Richard III. Imprisoned in the Tower of London aged 10.
John de la Pole: Nephew of Edward IV and Richard III. Designated as Richard’s successor and regarded as the Yorkist
leader after Bosworth.
Edward V: Son of Edward IV and nephew of Richard III. One of the 1485 Princes in the Tower. Body never located.
Richard of Shrewsbury: Son of Edward IV and nephew of Richard III. One of the 1485 Princes in the Tower. Body
never located.
Margaret of Burgundy: Sister of Edward IV and Richard III. Wealthy widow who would end up supporting multiple
Yorkist plots and pretenders.
To what extent had Henry successfully established his dynasty by 1487?
For Against
-1486: Has an heir (Arthur). -Prescence of rebellions shows that he was disliked.
-Married Elizabeth of York which united the two houses -Foreign support of rebellions (see above).
and started the end of the Wars of the Roses. -His status as a usurper.
-Had successfully thwarted two rebellions by this point. -Mystery of the Princes in the Tower.
-Cleverly used Bonds of Good Behaviour and Acts of -Living Yorkist claimants.
Attainder to control the nobility. -Danger of alienating nobility with Acts of Attainder.
-By backdating his reign, he was able to remove some -Prescence of Margaret of Burgundy highlights the
opposition. threat of Richard’s old allies and relatives.
-By being crowned before the 1st parliament meeting, -The question of legitimacy and status as a usurper
he cemented the Divine Right of Kings/ Right to Rule. allowed for plots against him to appear.
-Great Chain of Being. -Failure to deal with Yorkist supporters (e.g. de la
-Rewarded those who had supported him, cementing Poles).
their support. -Debt due to the war with France meant he had to rely
-11 knighthoods to his key supporters. on support from Wales.
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