Henry VII
Political context
In the 15th century, England was extremely unstable. Henry V (1413-22) had been a much-admired king,
but his son, Henry VI, was disastrous, and the instability led to the War of the Roses, resulting in 30+
years of war and monarchy changes.
In August 1485, at the Battle of Bosworth Field, Richard III was killed. Henry Tudor became Henry
VII and ruled England for nearly a quarter of a century. Henry was a Lancastrian king who married a
Yorkist princess, uniting the rival families and brought the fighting to an end.
Background
Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, became King Henry VII of England following his victory over Richard
III’s forces at the Battle of Bosworth on 22nd August 1485. However, Henrys grasp of power was
insecure; he had virtually no discernible claims to the throne and he had many enemies. It was therefore
essential for him to consolidate his power by establishing his dynasty and ensuring that any rivals to the
throne were dealt with firmly.
• Henrys claim to the throne rested on his victory in battle. That he had defeated and killed King
Richard III was regarded as a sign that God had approved of Henrys assumption of power.
• His claim lay through his mother, Margaret Beaufort. The line came from John of Gaunt’s third
wife: their son John Beaufort had been born before their marriage and was therefore seen as
illegitimate.
• Henry became the Lancastrian claimant only because there was no one else who could fulfil the
role.
Henry VII hadn’t been brought up to rule. In 1471, when he was 14, he fled to France where he lived for
most of the time as a fugitive in the Duchy of Brittany. His upbringing was very different to a fifteenth
century nobleman. When he was in the Duchy of Brittany, he spent much of his time hanging around the
Dukes court, as one of a crowd of courtiers. This could have been the most useful training for a king, not
in any bookish way or in experience of administration or decision making, but in just being able to
observe court politics as a little-regarded outsider. He must have learnt a lot about courts, and been able to
draw conclusions about how rulers should never let themselves go, should maintain their dignity at all
times, should always retain control and never become indebted to a party or group. Behind-the-scenes
experience, followed then by his own wheeling and dealing at the French court, must have taught Henry a
vast amount of how politics really worked. This meant that as a king he was careful, always wanting to
double check every bit of information, always determined to keep up a front, to prevent the mask slipping
and never behaving like one of the lads like Edward IV or Henry VIII did.
Consolidation of Power
Henry VII’s primary aim was to remain king and establish his dynasty by handing over an unchallenged
succession to his descendants. His goals were:
- Establish effective government
, - Maintain law and order
- Control the nobility
- Secure the Crown’s finances
His claim to the throne was weak, as it was through an illegitimate line, and he was technically barred
from the throne. Other claimants included:
1. Edward, Earl of Warwick- nephew of Richard III and Edward IV
2. John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln- nephew of Richard III and Edward IV. He had been nominated
by Richard III as his heir
3. Edmund de la Pole- nephew of Edward IV and Richard III
4. The Princes in the Tower- Edward V and his brother Richard. Sons of Edward IV that some
people believed were still alive.
The Yorkists still had support in the North of England and in Ireland and had a powerful ally in Richard
III’s sister Margaret, duchess of Burgundy. Most of the barons/nobles still possessed armies (retainers)
that were a constant threat to Henry and peace in the country (over-mighty nobles). The crown’s treasury
was nearly empty after the 100 Years War and the subsequent War of the Roses. England did not enjoy
good relations with many countries of Europe, and all of the powers of Europe doubted Henry’s ability to
survive, and most were willing to help Henry’s opponents to exploit English in-fighting for their own
gain. English trade had also suffered during the War of the Roses and needed help. Spain was also
becoming a major power in Europe and had begun to create an Empire in the New World.
Potential threats to Henry
• Although Richard and his nephews in the Tower were dead, the House of York lived on through
the de la Pole brothers. Edward IV’s sister, Elizabeth, had married John de la Pole, Duke of
Suffolk. Their two sons, John (Earl of Lincoln) and Edmund (Earl of Suffolk) had a claim to the
throne at least as valid as Henrys own.
• Margaret of Burgundy. She was Edward IV’s mother, and had married the Duke of Burgundy,
who was a powerful dukedom in what is now part of the Netherlands and France, and an
important trading partner with England. Margaret, with the help of her husband, the Duke,
quickly showed support for the Yorkists against Henry at various times during his reign.
Advantages which Henry had
Despite these threats that he faced, he did possess some advantages.
• Although the disputes between the Lancastrians and Yorkists had encouraged lawlessness and
crime, their wars also meant that members of the greater nobility were engaged in mutual
destruction. The death of many noble heirs had allowed their lands to be returned to the Crown,
while the misfortune of being on the losing side had allowed others to be punished and
disinherited as traitors. Those beneath the warring great houses – the gentry, merchants, and
landowning farmers – were tired of the disruption that a generation of sudden changes in political
power had brought and were ready to support the recovery of royal power as the best means of
restoring order and prosperity.
, • He also had some personal advantages. He was an adult and had recently proven himself both as a
leader and as a successful solider. These were admirable qualities and were likely to lessen
opposition to his claim to the crown.
• He was an only child, with no fear of the family rivalry that had shaped events when Edward IV
had died.
• His obscure welsh origins and years of exile in France also helped because they meant that he had
few personal enemies in high places.
While none of these factors was sufficient on its own to guarantee success, they provided Henry with the
opportunity to build on the power that he had won, if he had the political skill to take it.
Actions taken by Henry
- Richard’s naked body put on public display before burial
- 11 knighthoods issued on the battlefield of Bosworth
- Issued a Proclamation to all Englishmen that Richard, Duke of Gloucester was dead and that
Henry Tudor was king by grace of God
- Sent supporters to detain Elizabeth of York and Edward, Earl of Warwick
- Paused on route to London at St. Albans and reflected on appointments to the Royal Counsel
- Procession into London 3rd September 1485 presenting his banner at St Paul’s as Edward IV had
done after the Battle of Barnet in 1471
- Coronation 30th October 1485 before Parliament met on 7th November 1485
- Successful in getting Parliament to repeal Titulus Regis’s (document proclaiming Richard III as
king) and destroyed all copies
- Successful in getting Parliament to grant him tonnage and poundage duties for life, which
allowed him to reclaim lands owned by Henry VI before the War of Roses
- Predated his reign to 21st August 1485
- Successful in getting Parliament to issue Acts of Attainder against Yorkists who had fought at
Bosworth
- Married Elizabeth of York 18th January 1486 as requested by Parliament by its final act before
prerogative on December 10
- A son was born 19th September 1486, named Arthur, and a second born 28th June 1491 named
Henry
, Threats to Authority
Viscount Lovell and the Staffords, 1486
• The first (rather minor) rising against Henry occurred at Easter, 1486
o It was led by Francis, Viscount Lovell – who had prospered as a key supporter of Richard
III – and Humphrey Stafford.
o Lovell tried to raise a rebellion in Richard III’s heartland of support in the North Riding
of
• Simultaneously, Stafford tried to raise forces against Henry, drawing upon another area of Yorkist
support in the Midlands.
• Lovell managed to escape from the king’s forces, but Humphrey Stafford was captured and
executed, though his younger brother and accomplice, Thomas, was pardoned.
• The rebellion failed because Lovell fled to Burgundy after losing faith in their plan. They lacked
confidence to enact their proposed revolt.
• What seems significant about this rising is how little enthusiasm there was at this stage for a
Yorkist rising in their traditional heartlands.
• Henry used spies to follow Lovell and the Stafford brothers following their defeat at Bosworth.
They tracked them down and arrested them. Henry had mass support, and the brothers had little
support.
• It was easily suppressed, but later rebellions, promoted by Margaret of Burgundy, would prove
rather more problematic.
Simnel Rebellion 1487
Background: Symonds (Yorkist priest from Oxford) taught Simnel and decided to pass off Simnel as
Richard of York (one of the princes in the Tower, and Edward IV’s son). Symonds took SImnel to Ireland,
as it was a centre of Yorkist support. The Irish decided to pass him off as the Earl of Warwick instead
(Edward IV’s nephew). The Lord Lieutenant there, the Earl of Kildare, proclaimed Simnel as King. King
Henry produced the real Earl of Warwick to demonstrate the falseness of this claim.
Support: Duchess of Burgundy gave Simnel 2000 German soldiers/mercenaries. Ireland, where Simnel
was crowned king in Dublin in May 1487. John de la Pole (Earl of London) rallied the cause and fled via
Flanders to Ireland in May 1487
What happened: In response to this hoax, Henry now had the real Earl of Warwick exhibited in London
for all to see. Lincoln subsequently fled from Henry VII’s court and had joined the failed plotter Lord
Lovell at the court of Margaret of Burgundy in the Netherlands.
Henry had plenty of notice that a rebellious conspiracy was being planned, and thus he had ample
opportunity to plan his response. Henry pardoned known rebels (e.g. Thomas Broughton) to get them on
his side. June 4th, 1487, Simnel and his army landed at Furness-Lancashire, marched across the Pennines
then south. Did not receive much support, as the locals were suspicious of the Irish and did not want civil
war. Henry was prepared and the two armies met outside of Newark at East Stoke on June 16th, 1487
Political context
In the 15th century, England was extremely unstable. Henry V (1413-22) had been a much-admired king,
but his son, Henry VI, was disastrous, and the instability led to the War of the Roses, resulting in 30+
years of war and monarchy changes.
In August 1485, at the Battle of Bosworth Field, Richard III was killed. Henry Tudor became Henry
VII and ruled England for nearly a quarter of a century. Henry was a Lancastrian king who married a
Yorkist princess, uniting the rival families and brought the fighting to an end.
Background
Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, became King Henry VII of England following his victory over Richard
III’s forces at the Battle of Bosworth on 22nd August 1485. However, Henrys grasp of power was
insecure; he had virtually no discernible claims to the throne and he had many enemies. It was therefore
essential for him to consolidate his power by establishing his dynasty and ensuring that any rivals to the
throne were dealt with firmly.
• Henrys claim to the throne rested on his victory in battle. That he had defeated and killed King
Richard III was regarded as a sign that God had approved of Henrys assumption of power.
• His claim lay through his mother, Margaret Beaufort. The line came from John of Gaunt’s third
wife: their son John Beaufort had been born before their marriage and was therefore seen as
illegitimate.
• Henry became the Lancastrian claimant only because there was no one else who could fulfil the
role.
Henry VII hadn’t been brought up to rule. In 1471, when he was 14, he fled to France where he lived for
most of the time as a fugitive in the Duchy of Brittany. His upbringing was very different to a fifteenth
century nobleman. When he was in the Duchy of Brittany, he spent much of his time hanging around the
Dukes court, as one of a crowd of courtiers. This could have been the most useful training for a king, not
in any bookish way or in experience of administration or decision making, but in just being able to
observe court politics as a little-regarded outsider. He must have learnt a lot about courts, and been able to
draw conclusions about how rulers should never let themselves go, should maintain their dignity at all
times, should always retain control and never become indebted to a party or group. Behind-the-scenes
experience, followed then by his own wheeling and dealing at the French court, must have taught Henry a
vast amount of how politics really worked. This meant that as a king he was careful, always wanting to
double check every bit of information, always determined to keep up a front, to prevent the mask slipping
and never behaving like one of the lads like Edward IV or Henry VIII did.
Consolidation of Power
Henry VII’s primary aim was to remain king and establish his dynasty by handing over an unchallenged
succession to his descendants. His goals were:
- Establish effective government
, - Maintain law and order
- Control the nobility
- Secure the Crown’s finances
His claim to the throne was weak, as it was through an illegitimate line, and he was technically barred
from the throne. Other claimants included:
1. Edward, Earl of Warwick- nephew of Richard III and Edward IV
2. John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln- nephew of Richard III and Edward IV. He had been nominated
by Richard III as his heir
3. Edmund de la Pole- nephew of Edward IV and Richard III
4. The Princes in the Tower- Edward V and his brother Richard. Sons of Edward IV that some
people believed were still alive.
The Yorkists still had support in the North of England and in Ireland and had a powerful ally in Richard
III’s sister Margaret, duchess of Burgundy. Most of the barons/nobles still possessed armies (retainers)
that were a constant threat to Henry and peace in the country (over-mighty nobles). The crown’s treasury
was nearly empty after the 100 Years War and the subsequent War of the Roses. England did not enjoy
good relations with many countries of Europe, and all of the powers of Europe doubted Henry’s ability to
survive, and most were willing to help Henry’s opponents to exploit English in-fighting for their own
gain. English trade had also suffered during the War of the Roses and needed help. Spain was also
becoming a major power in Europe and had begun to create an Empire in the New World.
Potential threats to Henry
• Although Richard and his nephews in the Tower were dead, the House of York lived on through
the de la Pole brothers. Edward IV’s sister, Elizabeth, had married John de la Pole, Duke of
Suffolk. Their two sons, John (Earl of Lincoln) and Edmund (Earl of Suffolk) had a claim to the
throne at least as valid as Henrys own.
• Margaret of Burgundy. She was Edward IV’s mother, and had married the Duke of Burgundy,
who was a powerful dukedom in what is now part of the Netherlands and France, and an
important trading partner with England. Margaret, with the help of her husband, the Duke,
quickly showed support for the Yorkists against Henry at various times during his reign.
Advantages which Henry had
Despite these threats that he faced, he did possess some advantages.
• Although the disputes between the Lancastrians and Yorkists had encouraged lawlessness and
crime, their wars also meant that members of the greater nobility were engaged in mutual
destruction. The death of many noble heirs had allowed their lands to be returned to the Crown,
while the misfortune of being on the losing side had allowed others to be punished and
disinherited as traitors. Those beneath the warring great houses – the gentry, merchants, and
landowning farmers – were tired of the disruption that a generation of sudden changes in political
power had brought and were ready to support the recovery of royal power as the best means of
restoring order and prosperity.
, • He also had some personal advantages. He was an adult and had recently proven himself both as a
leader and as a successful solider. These were admirable qualities and were likely to lessen
opposition to his claim to the crown.
• He was an only child, with no fear of the family rivalry that had shaped events when Edward IV
had died.
• His obscure welsh origins and years of exile in France also helped because they meant that he had
few personal enemies in high places.
While none of these factors was sufficient on its own to guarantee success, they provided Henry with the
opportunity to build on the power that he had won, if he had the political skill to take it.
Actions taken by Henry
- Richard’s naked body put on public display before burial
- 11 knighthoods issued on the battlefield of Bosworth
- Issued a Proclamation to all Englishmen that Richard, Duke of Gloucester was dead and that
Henry Tudor was king by grace of God
- Sent supporters to detain Elizabeth of York and Edward, Earl of Warwick
- Paused on route to London at St. Albans and reflected on appointments to the Royal Counsel
- Procession into London 3rd September 1485 presenting his banner at St Paul’s as Edward IV had
done after the Battle of Barnet in 1471
- Coronation 30th October 1485 before Parliament met on 7th November 1485
- Successful in getting Parliament to repeal Titulus Regis’s (document proclaiming Richard III as
king) and destroyed all copies
- Successful in getting Parliament to grant him tonnage and poundage duties for life, which
allowed him to reclaim lands owned by Henry VI before the War of Roses
- Predated his reign to 21st August 1485
- Successful in getting Parliament to issue Acts of Attainder against Yorkists who had fought at
Bosworth
- Married Elizabeth of York 18th January 1486 as requested by Parliament by its final act before
prerogative on December 10
- A son was born 19th September 1486, named Arthur, and a second born 28th June 1491 named
Henry
, Threats to Authority
Viscount Lovell and the Staffords, 1486
• The first (rather minor) rising against Henry occurred at Easter, 1486
o It was led by Francis, Viscount Lovell – who had prospered as a key supporter of Richard
III – and Humphrey Stafford.
o Lovell tried to raise a rebellion in Richard III’s heartland of support in the North Riding
of
• Simultaneously, Stafford tried to raise forces against Henry, drawing upon another area of Yorkist
support in the Midlands.
• Lovell managed to escape from the king’s forces, but Humphrey Stafford was captured and
executed, though his younger brother and accomplice, Thomas, was pardoned.
• The rebellion failed because Lovell fled to Burgundy after losing faith in their plan. They lacked
confidence to enact their proposed revolt.
• What seems significant about this rising is how little enthusiasm there was at this stage for a
Yorkist rising in their traditional heartlands.
• Henry used spies to follow Lovell and the Stafford brothers following their defeat at Bosworth.
They tracked them down and arrested them. Henry had mass support, and the brothers had little
support.
• It was easily suppressed, but later rebellions, promoted by Margaret of Burgundy, would prove
rather more problematic.
Simnel Rebellion 1487
Background: Symonds (Yorkist priest from Oxford) taught Simnel and decided to pass off Simnel as
Richard of York (one of the princes in the Tower, and Edward IV’s son). Symonds took SImnel to Ireland,
as it was a centre of Yorkist support. The Irish decided to pass him off as the Earl of Warwick instead
(Edward IV’s nephew). The Lord Lieutenant there, the Earl of Kildare, proclaimed Simnel as King. King
Henry produced the real Earl of Warwick to demonstrate the falseness of this claim.
Support: Duchess of Burgundy gave Simnel 2000 German soldiers/mercenaries. Ireland, where Simnel
was crowned king in Dublin in May 1487. John de la Pole (Earl of London) rallied the cause and fled via
Flanders to Ireland in May 1487
What happened: In response to this hoax, Henry now had the real Earl of Warwick exhibited in London
for all to see. Lincoln subsequently fled from Henry VII’s court and had joined the failed plotter Lord
Lovell at the court of Margaret of Burgundy in the Netherlands.
Henry had plenty of notice that a rebellious conspiracy was being planned, and thus he had ample
opportunity to plan his response. Henry pardoned known rebels (e.g. Thomas Broughton) to get them on
his side. June 4th, 1487, Simnel and his army landed at Furness-Lancashire, marched across the Pennines
then south. Did not receive much support, as the locals were suspicious of the Irish and did not want civil
war. Henry was prepared and the two armies met outside of Newark at East Stoke on June 16th, 1487
