These notes cover the following topics:
- Henry VII and the Consolidation of Power
- HENRY VII’S GOVERNMENT
- Foreign Policy
- ENGLAND IN 1485
-Agriculture in The English Economy In The Years 1485 To 1509 essay plan
Background of Henry Tudor:
POLYDORE VERGIL:
Stature = tall + strong + v attractive +
had wise spirit
Very brave & resolute
He was greedy and guilty of avarice in
later life
He could be harsh to subjects who gave
him only promises rather than delivering
on his commands
WHY WAS HIS CLAIM WEAK:
1. Some had better claims to the throne:
Strongest claim o Edward, Earl of Warwick
o John, Earl of Lincoln
o Edmund, Earl of Suffolk
o Richard (d.1525
Weakest Claim o Elizabeth of York – Henry
later married her
o Elizabeth (younger sister of Richard III
2. Henry’s claim to the throne is on the female side only through third marriage of John of
Gaunt
Claim through mother Margaret Beaufort = direct descendant of Edward III through
marriage of 3rd son John of Gaunt (Margaret’s Great Grandfather)
BUT weak because John of Gaunt + Catherine Swynford not married when John
Beaufort (Margaret’s Grandfather) was born illegitimacy
3. He is fourth cousin, once removed from Richard III
BUT
Also had claim through father’s side
o Grandmother Catherine had been married to King Henry V before she married
Owen Tudor, his grandfather
o Meant H’s father + brother = ½ brothers to Henry VI + had been made Earls
CHILDHOOD:
Father = Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond (died few months before H’s birth)
H became main Lancastrian claimant to throne so uncle Jasper took H to safety in France
Next 14 yrs spent in Brittany
King Edward IV made attempts to persuade French King to hand H over but failed
,The Seizure Of Power
IN ENGLAND:
Edward VI died, brother Richard meant to become regent ruling on behalf of Edward’s sons
but proclaimed himself king
Princes put in Tower + ‘disappeared’
Discontent followed + rebellions (1 by Duke of Buckingham) weakened R’s authority
o H saw chance to attack
WHAT FINALLY PERSUADED HENRY TO ATTACK:
Built up support in Paris + had support from experienced + influential men e.g. Earl of
Oxford + Jasper Tudor, others had gov experience
Richard’s son died leaving no direct heir + wife died so rumoured he would try to marry
niece Elizabeth of York
H received financial support from French King Charles VIII
o Aim = distract Richard III from aiding Duke of Brittany, Charles could integrate
territory as part of France
BATTLE OF BOSWORTH AUGUST 1485:
H landed near Pembroke, Wales + marched north then east towards English border
Gained support of Rhys ap Thomas (1 of most powerful landowners in Wales)
Gained further support (5,000) as he travelled but still had fewer soldiers than Richard III
Forces met at Bosworth Field near Leicester
Positioning:
Richard had the best position on the battlefield -> lots of height
Why did Henry win:
He gained support from Sir William Stanley (had 4,000 men)
Duke of Norfolk killed early
Stanley’s joined H late but caught Richard by surprise and he was killed
Establishing the Tudor Dynasty:
Henry was extremely insecure at first as there were several threats.
YORKIST CLAIMANTS + SUPPORTERS
John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln
o Nephew of Edward IV + Richard III
o Designated successor of Richard III
o Regarded as the Yorkist leader after Bosworth
Edward, Earl of Warwick
o Nephew of Edward IV + Richard III
o Imprisoned in Tower of London 1485 aged 10
o Beheaded for alleged conspiracy 1499
Yorkist supporters = Lovell + the Stafford’s + Margaret of Burgundy
PRETENDERS
Perkin Warbeck + Lambert Simnel
MARGARET OF BURGUNDY
o MofB = sister of Edward IV + Richard III
o Able + willing to fund Yorkist ambitions
, INITIAL PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS:
1. Henry was in exile in Britany -> he was unknown but needed subjects to see him as new ruler
Solutions:
Had a glorious coronation 1485 after winning Bosworth
March 1486 -> set off on greatest ever Tudor royal progress, allowed Henry to demonstrate
power +opportunity for subjects to show loyalty to him as new king
2. Needed to ensure no outsiders challenged the succession of the Tudor line after he died
Solutions:
Arthur born 1486 + Elizabeth gave birth to 3 more children (Margaret, Henry, Mary)
3. Wanted to gain support of Yorkists
Solutions:
Asked for papal dispensation to marry Elizabeth of York -> fulfilled marriage promise (1483)
proposed by Margaret Beaufort + united rival houses
4. Deeply suspicious in governing class of his country
Solutions:
Reconstructed Privy council + Royal Household
Chose leading members of new gov from 3 groups -> those who helped him in Brittany +
France, those who supported him at Bosworth + those who participated in revolts against
Richard III
Rewarded loyal people with land + offices
Nobility swore oath of loyalty to the king at coronation that couldn’t be broken
5. Didn’t want people to think he owed crown to new wife
Solutions:
Married Elizabeth 5 months after winning battle
6. Didn’t want people to think Parliament created him king
Solutions:
Arranged 1st parliament Nov 7th, week after coronation
7. Wanted to persuade people he had a Divine Right to be King
Appealed for papal conformation of his title from Pope Innocent VIII
Also secured obedience from clergy (powerful through land)
8. Get rid of stronger claimants:
Solutions:
Imprisoned Earl of Warwick (nephew of Richard III)
John de la Pole kept close to the king -> member of council once he professed loyalty
9. Wanted to punish those who supported Richard III at battle
Solutions:
Backdated start of reign to day before battle -> supporters = traitors through Acts of
Attainder (convicted of all property)
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