Summary Henry VII revision notes

Henry VII 1485-1509 / Catholic
Consolidation, government control and improving finances
TOPIC 1 / England in 1485

Farming:
 Villagers had common land = anyone could graze their animals
 Enclosures meant land was fenced off and the owner of the land could do whatever
they pleased = villagers had less land
 Arable farming = common in the midlands and southern England

Cloth industry:
 Accounted for 80 per cent of England’s exports
 England’s main export was cloth sold in Holland
 Best quality cloth came from the west = Wiltshire

English society:
 ‘The great chain of being’ dominated society
 Primogeniture = eldest son or relative inherited estates
 Over 50 nobles in England, who owned land, which provided power and influence in
their local areas

The catholic church:
 Before Henry VIII’s break with the papacy in the 1530’s, the Roman catholic church
remained all powerful
 Pope in Rome decided on all matters, both religious and political
 The power of the church stemmed from people’s beliefs and fears = attended church
for their souls to be saved

Humanism:
 Humanists studied 15th century classical texts = Aristotle
 Wanted to improve the education of the clergy and laity = people who have not
been accepted as priests
 Became involved in religious debate

Henry Tudor’s background:
 Weak claim to the throne and lived in exile in France for 14 years.
 Had financial support from Charles VIII, French king = rivalled Richard III
 Mother = Margaret Beaufort, a decedent of John of Gaunt = Duke of Lancaster
 Father = Edmund Earl of Richmond
 Uncle = Jasper Earl of Pembroke

Printing:
 Bought from Germany in 1476, translated from French and Latin = more literate

Exploration:
 Turks controlled overland routes from the Mediterranean to the Indian ocean = new
routes needed
 Printing meant detailed maps could be drawn of new continents
The Battle of Bosworth August 1485

, Henry VII 1485-1509 / Catholic
Consolidation, government control and improving finances



4000 men, led by Lord Stanley,
Henry’s stepfather 5000 men

Earl of Northumberland Earl of Richmond

Richard III, north side Henry VII, south side


 Stanley was originally on Richard’s side due to Richard holding his son hostage
 Stanley eventually ordered his Calvary to attack Richard after Henry asked for help
and saw that he may claim victory
 Henry nearly died when Richard attacked his standard bearer, but Stanley stepped in
to prevent his death
 Richard died = Henry claimed the throne

Causes:
 Henry had gained support from Jasper Tudor, Earl of Oxford and the French king
 Richard’s ruling style was unpopular, and his son died = no heir
 The failed rebellion from the Duke of Buckingham further weakened Richards
authority = Henry became a potential claimant for unpopular Richard

Consequences: Disadvantages
 Henry still had a weak claim = could not ensure loyalty across the country
 John de la Pole brothers, house of York = had a claim to the throne = threat
 Margaret of Burgundy = Edward IV’s sister = powerful in France and the Netherlands
= supported the Yorkists during Henry’s reign = threat

Consequences: Advantages
 Deaths of nobles due to the Lancaster and York lawless crimes meant land could be
returned to the crown
 Henry’s Welsh origins and exile in France = few personal enemies in high places
 Victory in the Battle of Bosworth = seen as a leader and a successful soldier

Henry’s aims

To establish and

secure his right to
the throne
 To strengthen royal
government by
better control of the
nobility
 To strengthen the
kingdom by ensuring
a financial
How Henry established his right to the throne
foundation

, Henry VII 1485-1509 / Catholic
Consolidation, government control and improving finances


Key points How did this help
Marriage to Elizabeth  Signified the approval of the  Safety measure
of York 1486 church = power  Could create an heir
 York and Lancaster marriage  Houses unite
Quick Coronation  Coronation was before his  Rebellion against him = sin
marriage = no one could say he  Gained support
gained the throne through his
wife
 Nobility had to swear a loyalty
oath during the coronation

Birth of Prince Arthur  September 1486 = birth  Future for the new Tudor
dynasty = permanence
Summoning parliament  Summoned in November 1485,  Demonstrated his royal power
the traditional act of a new king  Claim financial support from
 Went on royal progress in 1486 parliament for war ect
to the north = granted justice and
hear petitions
Appeasement of nobles  Supporters = rewarded  Two loyal supporters in the
 John de Vere became Earl of east midlands and north west
Oxford
 Lord Stanley became Earl of
Derby
Handling of opponents  Dated his reign from the 21st of  The Nobles who betrayed
August, the day before the battle Henry, had their lands
of Bosworth, he was able to deal stripped, as well as their titles.
with Richard’s supporters in an  Won support from key families
efficient manner. when showing leniency

Henry’s character

How his character benefited him:
 Determined – won the battle of Bosworth, speedy coronation
 Prepared – Heir
 Resolute – Handled his opponents
 Stranger – exiled in France, didn’t live in Britain
 Shrewd – Parliamentary progress, lenient with nobles to gain support




The nobility