Essay Plans
‘The consolidation of royal authority in the years 1485-1509 was due to Henry
VII’s effective foreign policy’. Assess the validity of this view.
After 30 years of civil war, Henry VII was finally crowned King in 1485. His position was far from secure however,
considering his usurpation of the throne and the survival of Yorkist opponents. It is arguable that by 1509, Henry VII
had consolidated royal authority through his effective foreign policy.
Effective foreign policy was significant in Henry’s consolidation of royal authority because it neutralised both
domestic and international threats.
As series of treaties removed foreign support from Pretenders, Henry understood how dangerous this could be
as he had received French aid.
Fp careful and also avoided war with European powers; England did not have the money to compete with
other European powers. Secretly sent troops to Brittany and joined the Holy League, to maintain good
relations with Spain – military organisation to resist French conquests of Italy, but refused to declare war on
France.
Effective foreign policy also gave Henry more credibility at home, strengthening his royal authority.
Treaty of Medina del Campo
Intercusus Magnus
However, it is arguable that strong financial policies were also responsible for Henry’s consolidation of
authority.
Few resources himself and needed money to build up defences, buy armies and buy off potential opponents.
1486 Act of Resumption; improve management of ordinary revenue, for example, the Dutchy of Lancaster
and promoted trade and updated the Book of Rates x2; set up commissions to examine hidden warships and
sold them off to the highest bidder. Finances also strengthened with feudal rights, for example gift from
Parliament for Arthur’s knighthood.
20% wealthier than wealthiest nobles.
Control of the nobility might also be seen as a significant factor in Henry’s consolidation of authority.
Through acts of Attainder and Bonds and Recognisances, Henry ensured nobles stayed loyal – 42/67 families.
Prevented build off power-blocs with acts against illegal retaining and controlling marriages.
Their support was essential, as Henry had discovered at Bosworth, their opposition could be sufficient to
produce a successful rebellion.
Further to this, consolidation of royal authority was a result of the strengthening of government.
Statues, enforceable in all courts. Large number of private bills which dealt with local issues created an
affinity between the Crown and country.
Regionally, Henry gave land to his most trusted followers.
Locally, increased powers of JPs, allowing them to prick court to ensure juries did not act in an impartial
manner.
Consolidation of power cannot be attributed to a single factor.
How successful was Henry VII’s consolidation of royal authority between the
years 1485-1509?
After 30 years of civil war, Henry VII was finally crowned King in 1485. His position was far from secure however,
considering his usurpation of the throne and the survival of Yorkist opponents. It is arguable that by 1509, Henry had
,successfully consolidated his royal authority throughout England and abroad, through his strong financial policies, his
control of the nobility the neutralisation of domestic and international opponents and strong governance. Conversely,
it might be argued that the consolidation of royal authority was limited. For example, JPs were often corrupt or unable
to act against powerful magnates, limiting royal authority on a local level. Further to this, it seems that several of
Henry’s policies served to undermine royal authority, rather than to consolidate it. Despite this, Henry remained on the
throne for 24 years and the Tudor continued upon his death. Therefore, it is arguable that Henry’s consolidation of his
royal authority was generally successful.
Strong financial policies aided Henry’s successful consolidation of royal authority.
Few resources himself and needed money to build up defences, buy armies and buy off potential opponents.
1486 Act of Resumption; improve management of ordinary revenue, for example, the Dutchy of Lancaster
and promoted trade and updated the Book of Rates x2; set up commissions to examine hidden warships and
sold them off to the highest bidder. Finances also strengthened with feudal rights, for example gift from
Parliament for Arthur’s knighthood.
20% wealthier than wealthiest nobles.
Henry’s control of the nobility also aided his consolidation of royal authority.
Through acts of Attainder and Bonds and Recognisances, Henry ensured nobles stayed loyal – 42/67 families.
Prevented build off power-blocs with acts against illegal retaining and controlling marriages.
Their support was essential, as Henry had discovered at Bosworth, their opposition could be sufficient to
produce a successful rebellion.
Furthermore, the effective neutralisation of both domestic and international threats allowed Henry to
consolidate his control.
Successfully dealt with the Simnel threat in 1487, defeating 2,000 Burgundian mercenaries and an Irish
contingent at the Battle of Stoke.
Successfully dealt with Warbeck. Removed international support through series of treaties – Medina del
Campo, Treaty of Étaples, the Intercursus Magnus and Treaty of Ayrton. These treaties meant European
monarchs unwilling to challenge Henry’s authority. Execution of supporters at home, Sir William Stanley,
made it difficult to rally support when he landed in England.
The Medina del Campo also increased royal authority abroad – Tudor dynasty recognised as an equal to one
of Europe’s leading families.
However, it seems that several of attempts to consolidate royal authority actually served to undermine it.
Attempt to raise £100k for the Brittany campaign (an attempt to protect Brittany from the French annexation,
which would ultimately impact Henry’s royal authority abroad) -- Yorkshire Rebellion.
Attempt to raise funds to protect England against a Scottish invasion in support of Warbeck, which threatened
Henry’s throne, created the Cornish Rebellion.
Decrease in granting patronage created resentment – William Stanley pushed to support Warbeck, several
South/western nobles joined Cornish rebellion, or refused to impede the rebels march on London.
‘The desire to increase his international prestige was the most important motive
behind Henry VII’s foreign policy’. Assess the validity of this view.
Henry VII came to throne in 1509 under the new Tudor dynasty, its postion on the European stage yet to be
determined. Thus, the desire to increase prestige abroad was an important aspect of Henry’s foreign policy as a
respected international status would reduce the risk of foreign challenge and increase credibility at home. For
example, the 1489 Treaty of Medina del Campo recognised England as an equal to the Aragorn family, one of
Europe’s leading families. However, it is arguable that desire to increase international prestige was not the only, nor
,most important motive behind English foreign policy. It seems that Henry’s foreign policy was also dictated equally
by the need to protect his throne, through the removal of foreign support for rival claimants, the desire to protect
English interests abroad and a need to avoid open conflict. Thus, the desire to increase his international prestige was
not the most important motive behind Henry VII’s foreign policy.
Increasing international prestige was an important motive behind Henry VII’s foreign policy.
The Treaty of Medina del Campo is particularly good example; England recognised as an equal to one of
Europe’s leading royal families. Prestige further increased with the marriage of Joanna and Philip, linking the
English the Burgundy.
Although Henry failed to restore the Brittany, English intervention and siege of Boulogne showed that
England should not be overlooked in international affairs.
High status important, reduced risk of invasion and increased credibility at home. Particularly important as the
Tudor dynasty had only just been established and had yet to prove itself on the international stage. England
could be viewed as weak following 30 years of unrest.
However, the need to protect his throne, by removing international support of rival claimants, was also an
important aspect of Henry’s foreign policy.
Series of treaties.
Important as Henry had received foreign aid himself.
Moreover, foreign policy was dictated by a desire to protect English interests abroad.
Intervention in Brittany, did not want France to have larger coastline and would leave Calais vulnerable.
Drawn into the conflict between Spain and Burgundy, Henry pursued relations with Burgundy, in case of
French aggression and for trade. When Philip died, Henry quickly pursued relations with France.
It could also be argued that the need to avoid conflict was an important motive behind Henry’s foreign policy.
Much smaller, no standing army, wealth.
Secretly sent troops to Brittany in 1488; pressured to join Holy League but on condition that would not oblige
to go to war against France.
Overarching motive is national security.
‘Ending the support of rival claimants to the throne was the greatest success of
Henry VII’s consolidation of power.’ Assess the validity of this view.
After 30 years of civil war, Henry VII was finally crowned King in 1485. His position was far from secure however,
considering his usurpation of the throne and the survival of Yorkist opponents. By 1509, it is arguable that Henry had
successfully consolidated his power, a result of the ending of the support of rival claimants (such as Perkin Warbeck
and Edmund de la Pole). However, it is debatable as to whether this was the ‘greatest success’ of Henry’s
consolidation of power. One might argue that control of the nobility, the strengthening of finances and increasing
, international prestige were of equal importance. For example, controlling the nobility through fiscal feudalism,
ensured that they remained loyal and did not rebel, as they had done under Richard III during the Battle of Bosworth.
Thus, although important, ending the support of rival claimants to the throne was not the greatest success of Henry
VII’s consolidation of power.
Ending support for rival claimants to the throne was essential to Henry’s consolidation of power.
Successfully dealt with the Simnel threat in 1487, defeating 2,000 Burgundian mercenaries and an Irish
contingent at the Battle of Stoke.
Henry had received foreign support himself.
Successfully dealt with Warbeck. Removed international support through series of treaties – Medina del
Campo, Treaty of Étaples, the Intercursus Magnus and Treaty of Ayrton. These treaties meant European
monarchs unwilling to challenge Henry’s authority. Execution of supporters at home, Sir William Stanley,
made it difficult to rally support when he landed in England.
Philip of Burgundy withdrew his support from Edmund de la Pole, Richard III’s nephew, after Henry
promised to recognise him as King of Castile.
However, controlling the nobility was equally significance in Henry’s consolidation of power.
Through acts of Attainder and Bonds and Recognisances, Henry ensured nobles stayed loyal – 42/67 families.
Prevented build off power-blocs with acts against illegal retaining and controlling marriages.
Their support was essential, as Henry had discovered at Bosworth, their opposition could be sufficient to
produce a successful rebellion.
The strengthening of finances was of importance in Henry’s consolidation of power.
Few resources himself and needed money to build up defences, buy armies and buy off potential opponents.
1486 Act of Resumption; improve management of ordinary revenue, for example, the Dutchy of Lancaster
and promoted trade and updated the Book of Rates x2; set up commissions to examine hidden warships and
sold them off to the highest bidder. Finances also strengthened with feudal rights, for example gift from
Parliament for Arthur’s knighthood.
20% wealthier than wealthiest nobles.
Moreover, increasing royal authority can be attributed to successful consolidation of power.
The Treaty of Medina del Campo is particularly good example; England recognised as an equal to one of
Europe’s leading royal families. Prestige further increased with the marriage of Joanna and Philip, linking the
English the Burgundy.
Although Henry failed to restore the Brittany, English intervention and siege of Boulogne showed that
England should not be overlooked in international affairs.
High status important, reduced risk of invasion and increased credibility at home. Particularly important as the
Tudor dynasty had only just been established and had yet to prove itself on the international stage. England
could be viewed as weak following 30 years of unrest.
All important and reliant on each other. For example, without control of nobility – might have support pretenders
creating a larger threat.
How serious were the threats facing the Tudor dynasty under Henry VII?
After 30 years of civil war, Henry VII was finally crowned King in 1485. His position was far from secure however,
considering his usurpation of the throne and the survival of Yorkist opponents. It is arguable that the threat posed to
the Tudor dynasty under Henry were significant. Yorkist claimants, including Simnel, Warbeck and de la Pole all
received foreign support and Simnel managed to draw Henry into battle in 1487. It also seems that the threat posed by
rebellions was serious; the Lovell and Yorkshire rebellions happened in the first few years of Henry reign, the time at
which he was weakest had he had not yet consolidated his power, while the Cornwall rebellion in 1497 coincided with
