CONTENTS
Henry VII (1485-1509)
1.1 Consolidation of Power
1.2 Threats to Henry’s Throne
1.3 Government and Administration
1.4 Foreign Policy
1.5 Society, Economy and Religion
1.6 Legacy
,Henry VII - 1485-1509
1.1 CONSOLIDATION OF POWER
Issues facing Henry after Bosworth:
● Henry held weak claim to throne – matrilineal (through his mother) and via illegitimate line
● Many other live claimants with better claims such as:
o Edward Earl of Warwick – nephew of Richard II (R3)
o Edward IV
o John de la Pole – Another nephew and R3’s intended heir
o Edmund de la Pole – Brother of John
● Treasury completely empty – Hundred Years War between England/France and War of the
Roses had depleted England’s finances
● England had slid into being minor power in foreign policy – Trade suffered terribly
● Stability, peace and justice suffered – Nobles became overmighty with private armies
Actions taken to consolidate power:
● Predated the reign – Predated reign to day before battle of Bosworth on 22nd Aug 1485 – Meant
Henry justified in accusing those who fought for R3 of treason
● Rewarded supporters – 11 knighthoods + positions handed out e.g. Will Stan – Household
● Detained possible threats – Liz of York (Ed IV’s daughter)/Earl of Warwick
● Coronation – Crowned on 30th October 1485 before 1st parliament on 7th November in an
attempt to further legitimise his reign – also won him support of London
● First Parliament – Acts of Attainders (property seizures) passed against Yorkists at Bosworth
● Marriage – January 1486 married Ed IV’s heir Liz of York – used union for propaganda (creating
Tudor rose) – Strengthened dynasty by marrying Yorkist heir
● Heir – September 1489 Prince Arthur born – Dynasty strengthened by creating an heir that held
both royal blood of the houses of York and Lancaster
Key Actions Timeline:
Date Event Significance
22 August 1485 Battle of Bosworth Henry VII became king after defeating Richard III.
30 October 1485 Coronation Established legitimacy before convening
Parliament.
January 1486 Marriage to Elizabeth of United Yorkist and Lancastrian claims.
York
September 1489 Birth of Prince Arthur Strengthened dynastic stability.
, 1.2 THREATS TO HENRY’S THRONE
Threat 1 - Lord Lovell and the Staffords, 1486
● Viscount Lovell: A key supporter of Richard III, attempted to raise a rebellion in Richard III’s
heartland of North Riding of Yorkshire.
● Thomas and Humphrey Stafford: Also sought to gain support in the Midlands.
● Outcome: Henry VII easily crushed the uprising:
○ Humphrey Stafford was captured and executed.
○ Lovell escaped to the court of Margaret of Burgundy. (Mag of Burg)
○ Thomas Stafford was pardoned.
How dangerous was the threat?
● The rebellion was crushed with ease, showing Henry’s strength early in his reign.
● Henry demonstrated fairness by pardoning Thomas Stafford, reinforcing his image as a just
ruler.
● The only lingering concern was Lovell’s escape, which provided potential for future plots.
Threat 2 - Lambert Simnel and the Earl of Lincoln, 1487
● Plot: Orchestrated by John de la Pole (Earl of Lincoln) and centred on Lambert Simnel, trained to
impersonate the Earl of Warwick.
● Key Events:
○ Simnel was crowned King of England in Ireland in May 1487, gaining support from the
Earl of Kildare.
○ Henry VII countered by displaying the real Earl of Warwick in London.
○ Lincoln fled to Margaret of Burgundy, who provided 2,000 mercenaries.
○ Rebels failed to gain support in the North.
○ Henry’s forces defeated the rebels at the Battle of Stoke Field (1487), where JDLP was
killed.
○ Minor rebels were controlled using bonds and recognizances. Simnel was pardoned and
given a job in the King’s kitchens.
How dangerous was the threat?
● The rebellion was significant as it was backed by key Yorkists like Lincoln, Margaret of Burgundy,
and the Earl of Kildare.
● Simnel’s army was substantial, but failure to gain widespread support weakened the threat.
● Henry’s decisive victory reinforced his control and willingness to use both punishment and
leniency to secure loyalty.
Perkin Warbeck, 1491–99
Henry VII (1485-1509)
1.1 Consolidation of Power
1.2 Threats to Henry’s Throne
1.3 Government and Administration
1.4 Foreign Policy
1.5 Society, Economy and Religion
1.6 Legacy
,Henry VII - 1485-1509
1.1 CONSOLIDATION OF POWER
Issues facing Henry after Bosworth:
● Henry held weak claim to throne – matrilineal (through his mother) and via illegitimate line
● Many other live claimants with better claims such as:
o Edward Earl of Warwick – nephew of Richard II (R3)
o Edward IV
o John de la Pole – Another nephew and R3’s intended heir
o Edmund de la Pole – Brother of John
● Treasury completely empty – Hundred Years War between England/France and War of the
Roses had depleted England’s finances
● England had slid into being minor power in foreign policy – Trade suffered terribly
● Stability, peace and justice suffered – Nobles became overmighty with private armies
Actions taken to consolidate power:
● Predated the reign – Predated reign to day before battle of Bosworth on 22nd Aug 1485 – Meant
Henry justified in accusing those who fought for R3 of treason
● Rewarded supporters – 11 knighthoods + positions handed out e.g. Will Stan – Household
● Detained possible threats – Liz of York (Ed IV’s daughter)/Earl of Warwick
● Coronation – Crowned on 30th October 1485 before 1st parliament on 7th November in an
attempt to further legitimise his reign – also won him support of London
● First Parliament – Acts of Attainders (property seizures) passed against Yorkists at Bosworth
● Marriage – January 1486 married Ed IV’s heir Liz of York – used union for propaganda (creating
Tudor rose) – Strengthened dynasty by marrying Yorkist heir
● Heir – September 1489 Prince Arthur born – Dynasty strengthened by creating an heir that held
both royal blood of the houses of York and Lancaster
Key Actions Timeline:
Date Event Significance
22 August 1485 Battle of Bosworth Henry VII became king after defeating Richard III.
30 October 1485 Coronation Established legitimacy before convening
Parliament.
January 1486 Marriage to Elizabeth of United Yorkist and Lancastrian claims.
York
September 1489 Birth of Prince Arthur Strengthened dynastic stability.
, 1.2 THREATS TO HENRY’S THRONE
Threat 1 - Lord Lovell and the Staffords, 1486
● Viscount Lovell: A key supporter of Richard III, attempted to raise a rebellion in Richard III’s
heartland of North Riding of Yorkshire.
● Thomas and Humphrey Stafford: Also sought to gain support in the Midlands.
● Outcome: Henry VII easily crushed the uprising:
○ Humphrey Stafford was captured and executed.
○ Lovell escaped to the court of Margaret of Burgundy. (Mag of Burg)
○ Thomas Stafford was pardoned.
How dangerous was the threat?
● The rebellion was crushed with ease, showing Henry’s strength early in his reign.
● Henry demonstrated fairness by pardoning Thomas Stafford, reinforcing his image as a just
ruler.
● The only lingering concern was Lovell’s escape, which provided potential for future plots.
Threat 2 - Lambert Simnel and the Earl of Lincoln, 1487
● Plot: Orchestrated by John de la Pole (Earl of Lincoln) and centred on Lambert Simnel, trained to
impersonate the Earl of Warwick.
● Key Events:
○ Simnel was crowned King of England in Ireland in May 1487, gaining support from the
Earl of Kildare.
○ Henry VII countered by displaying the real Earl of Warwick in London.
○ Lincoln fled to Margaret of Burgundy, who provided 2,000 mercenaries.
○ Rebels failed to gain support in the North.
○ Henry’s forces defeated the rebels at the Battle of Stoke Field (1487), where JDLP was
killed.
○ Minor rebels were controlled using bonds and recognizances. Simnel was pardoned and
given a job in the King’s kitchens.
How dangerous was the threat?
● The rebellion was significant as it was backed by key Yorkists like Lincoln, Margaret of Burgundy,
and the Earl of Kildare.
● Simnel’s army was substantial, but failure to gain widespread support weakened the threat.
● Henry’s decisive victory reinforced his control and willingness to use both punishment and
leniency to secure loyalty.
Perkin Warbeck, 1491–99
