“Henry VII’s consolidation of power in the years 1485 to 1499 was the result of his own
personal strengths.’ Discuss.
Henry VII’s consolidation of his power was strengthened by a multitude of factors, ranging
from his own personal strengths – such as his political skill and financial insight – to
opportunistic events and allies that benefitted him. Some events were not due to Henry VII’s
shrewd intellect but circumstantial: The lack of alternative heirs and his military victory over
Richard III; however, an alternative interpretation suggests that the actions Henry VII
undertook after this victory at Bosworth demonstrate his resourcefulness in utilising any
good fortune that befalls him- a personal strength.
Henry’s own personal strengths, especially decisive governance, were highlighted after the
battle of Bosworth, on 22nd August 1485. Henry made a series of strategic decisions
foreshadowing the attentive and calculated attitude with which he would reign over
England: he decided to date his reign from the 21st of August, deeming all of Richards's men
who had fought with him the next day to be traitors who had fought against God’s chosen
King, an ingeniously tactical decision that exposed all the enemy nobility Henry should be
wary of during his ascension; he re-enacted the parliamentary law that had previously
banned Beaufort’s’ from claiming the throne. Following these choices, he proceeded with an
official coronation at Westminster on the 30th of October 1485, before his first parliament
meeting, after which he eventually married Elizabeth of York. These events were due to two
reasons: He could show he was the King in his own hereditary right without any
Parliamentary support; remove any opposition vying for the throne with claim that Elizabeth
of York would have given them through the right of marriage. Following his marriage Henry
VII adopted the Tudor rose, combining the red rose of the Lancastrians and the white rose
of York, symbolising the creation of a new dynasty, born from an alliance of England’s two
most powerful houses. Henry consistently displayed this emblem throughout his reign,
effectively utilising this propaganda on his subjects, enforcing this belief that it was a new
England emerging, a country of peace and prosperity, rather than a landmass of uncertainty
and political chaos that had reigned during the war of the roses. Henry VII's ascension to the
English throne was carefully planned to consolidate his power effectively, demonstrated by
his astute leadership when dealing with a politically fractured country to promote stability
and quickly remove threats to the throne. Therefore, Henry’s own personal strengths were a
significant factor that immensely contributed to the consolidation of his power.
The impact of other individuals was undoubtedly a key factor in Henry VII’s consolidation of
power. Lord William Stanely's intervention at Bosworth's battle was a significant moment
that contributed to Henry VII’s victory over the Yorkists: he provided Henry with money and
personally killed Richard III, directly placing the crown on Henry VII’s head; solidifying his
stepfather as a crucial figure who could help Henry navigate the complexities of ruling the
country. Furthermore, his mother, Margaret Beaufort, intelligently supported her son
throughout Richard III’s reign. Margaret was known for her involvement in rebellions against
Richard III; sending money back to Henry VII in Brittany and consistently striving to gain
allies for Henry – she was an instrumental figure in Henry VII’s consolidation of power.
Additionally, foreign interference from Charles VIII agreeing to withdraw French support for
Perkin Warbeck, helped stabilise Henry’s security on the throne as it lessened the threat of
rebellion. Henry’s spy network was highly effective in keeping him knowledgeable about
personal strengths.’ Discuss.
Henry VII’s consolidation of his power was strengthened by a multitude of factors, ranging
from his own personal strengths – such as his political skill and financial insight – to
opportunistic events and allies that benefitted him. Some events were not due to Henry VII’s
shrewd intellect but circumstantial: The lack of alternative heirs and his military victory over
Richard III; however, an alternative interpretation suggests that the actions Henry VII
undertook after this victory at Bosworth demonstrate his resourcefulness in utilising any
good fortune that befalls him- a personal strength.
Henry’s own personal strengths, especially decisive governance, were highlighted after the
battle of Bosworth, on 22nd August 1485. Henry made a series of strategic decisions
foreshadowing the attentive and calculated attitude with which he would reign over
England: he decided to date his reign from the 21st of August, deeming all of Richards's men
who had fought with him the next day to be traitors who had fought against God’s chosen
King, an ingeniously tactical decision that exposed all the enemy nobility Henry should be
wary of during his ascension; he re-enacted the parliamentary law that had previously
banned Beaufort’s’ from claiming the throne. Following these choices, he proceeded with an
official coronation at Westminster on the 30th of October 1485, before his first parliament
meeting, after which he eventually married Elizabeth of York. These events were due to two
reasons: He could show he was the King in his own hereditary right without any
Parliamentary support; remove any opposition vying for the throne with claim that Elizabeth
of York would have given them through the right of marriage. Following his marriage Henry
VII adopted the Tudor rose, combining the red rose of the Lancastrians and the white rose
of York, symbolising the creation of a new dynasty, born from an alliance of England’s two
most powerful houses. Henry consistently displayed this emblem throughout his reign,
effectively utilising this propaganda on his subjects, enforcing this belief that it was a new
England emerging, a country of peace and prosperity, rather than a landmass of uncertainty
and political chaos that had reigned during the war of the roses. Henry VII's ascension to the
English throne was carefully planned to consolidate his power effectively, demonstrated by
his astute leadership when dealing with a politically fractured country to promote stability
and quickly remove threats to the throne. Therefore, Henry’s own personal strengths were a
significant factor that immensely contributed to the consolidation of his power.
The impact of other individuals was undoubtedly a key factor in Henry VII’s consolidation of
power. Lord William Stanely's intervention at Bosworth's battle was a significant moment
that contributed to Henry VII’s victory over the Yorkists: he provided Henry with money and
personally killed Richard III, directly placing the crown on Henry VII’s head; solidifying his
stepfather as a crucial figure who could help Henry navigate the complexities of ruling the
country. Furthermore, his mother, Margaret Beaufort, intelligently supported her son
throughout Richard III’s reign. Margaret was known for her involvement in rebellions against
Richard III; sending money back to Henry VII in Brittany and consistently striving to gain
allies for Henry – she was an instrumental figure in Henry VII’s consolidation of power.
Additionally, foreign interference from Charles VIII agreeing to withdraw French support for
Perkin Warbeck, helped stabilise Henry’s security on the throne as it lessened the threat of
rebellion. Henry’s spy network was highly effective in keeping him knowledgeable about
