Assess the validity of this view. [25 marks] ‘Henry VII’s financial policies were the most important reason
for establishing royal authority.’
Intro- Henry VII is credited with a successful rule due to the way in which England was able to develop;
from a financially ruined, isolated, politically divided country after the War of the Roses, to a financially
stable, united country sat comfortably within its European peers. To credit this success on Henry’s financial
policies would not be completely invalid, due to the fact England was of course financially ruined which
affected its ability to stand as an independent, powerful country. However without a successful
consolidation of power, and the recognition of foreign powers through his foreign policy, the success of his
rule is extremely questionable.
Financial policies- England was left heavily in debt after the war of roses, a minor power which was weak.
- A lack of law and order under Henry’s predecessors had led to his own rise to power. Thus, Henry
implemented a number of policies which limited the power of those he felt threatened by through
his financial policy, an example of this would be the introduction of bonds and recognizances, which
bound an individual to perform an action, and if failed to do so forfeit a sum of money to the king.
- In 1485 Henry used the Act of Resumption to reclaim all Crown lands that had been granted since
the start of the Wars of the Roses, but he did not always act on these claims. The potential threat to
a noble family could be more useful to control them than actually pressing the demand for return
of the land to the King.
- Henry also introduced feudal dues as part of his financial policy, which allowed him to arrange
marriages between heirs/heiresses, giving him complete control as to who the most important
people in the country with the power to overthrow him would marry. Thus, there were elements of
Henry’s financial policy which contributed to his ability to sustain the throne, leading to a successful
rule.
Foreign policies- Aid Henry sent to Brittany in 1489, costing him to induce higher taxation and loosing
many men in the process also, along with his invasion of northern France in 1492 which had the same
effect. Both military operations were undertaken in order to protect the monarchy from being
undermined, after Charles VIII had supported a potential pretender to the English throne Perkin
Warbeck.
Another clear example is the trade embargo Henry imposed on Burgundy, a major trading partner which
would bring in much of England’s revenue, due to hospitality given once again to Warbeck. It is clear that
Henry VII put aside financial policies in order to protect the dynasty and prove England’s independence
and strength, proving that it was not Henry’s finances which lead him to success, rather his focus on
gaining foreign recognition so not to damage the English throne
Consolidation of power- Henry came to the throne of England as a usurper, an unknown Lancastrian whose
power had been earned through battle only, not birth right. To secure a stable monarchy, he prioritised his
own consolidation of power.
- Arranging his coronation to the thirtieth of October 1485, before his first parliament which took
place on the seventh of November to ensure complete control, which meant that Henry had
successfully shown strength and had legitimised his power. he was not reliant on parliament for
legitimacy.
- Secondly, his marriage to Elizabeth of York in January 1486, which brought about the unification of
the two houses after years of civil war, by ending it, there would be a lesser chance of a Yorkist
rebellion or uprising which could put Henry’s throne in jeopardy.
- Predated his reign (21 august) to the day before the Battle of Bosworth, (22 August 1485). Meant
anyone who had fought against him was a traitor to the crown and needed to earn his loyalty,
rewarded those who had fought with him e.g. jasper Tudor or duke of Bedford
for establishing royal authority.’
Intro- Henry VII is credited with a successful rule due to the way in which England was able to develop;
from a financially ruined, isolated, politically divided country after the War of the Roses, to a financially
stable, united country sat comfortably within its European peers. To credit this success on Henry’s financial
policies would not be completely invalid, due to the fact England was of course financially ruined which
affected its ability to stand as an independent, powerful country. However without a successful
consolidation of power, and the recognition of foreign powers through his foreign policy, the success of his
rule is extremely questionable.
Financial policies- England was left heavily in debt after the war of roses, a minor power which was weak.
- A lack of law and order under Henry’s predecessors had led to his own rise to power. Thus, Henry
implemented a number of policies which limited the power of those he felt threatened by through
his financial policy, an example of this would be the introduction of bonds and recognizances, which
bound an individual to perform an action, and if failed to do so forfeit a sum of money to the king.
- In 1485 Henry used the Act of Resumption to reclaim all Crown lands that had been granted since
the start of the Wars of the Roses, but he did not always act on these claims. The potential threat to
a noble family could be more useful to control them than actually pressing the demand for return
of the land to the King.
- Henry also introduced feudal dues as part of his financial policy, which allowed him to arrange
marriages between heirs/heiresses, giving him complete control as to who the most important
people in the country with the power to overthrow him would marry. Thus, there were elements of
Henry’s financial policy which contributed to his ability to sustain the throne, leading to a successful
rule.
Foreign policies- Aid Henry sent to Brittany in 1489, costing him to induce higher taxation and loosing
many men in the process also, along with his invasion of northern France in 1492 which had the same
effect. Both military operations were undertaken in order to protect the monarchy from being
undermined, after Charles VIII had supported a potential pretender to the English throne Perkin
Warbeck.
Another clear example is the trade embargo Henry imposed on Burgundy, a major trading partner which
would bring in much of England’s revenue, due to hospitality given once again to Warbeck. It is clear that
Henry VII put aside financial policies in order to protect the dynasty and prove England’s independence
and strength, proving that it was not Henry’s finances which lead him to success, rather his focus on
gaining foreign recognition so not to damage the English throne
Consolidation of power- Henry came to the throne of England as a usurper, an unknown Lancastrian whose
power had been earned through battle only, not birth right. To secure a stable monarchy, he prioritised his
own consolidation of power.
- Arranging his coronation to the thirtieth of October 1485, before his first parliament which took
place on the seventh of November to ensure complete control, which meant that Henry had
successfully shown strength and had legitimised his power. he was not reliant on parliament for
legitimacy.
- Secondly, his marriage to Elizabeth of York in January 1486, which brought about the unification of
the two houses after years of civil war, by ending it, there would be a lesser chance of a Yorkist
rebellion or uprising which could put Henry’s throne in jeopardy.
- Predated his reign (21 august) to the day before the Battle of Bosworth, (22 August 1485). Meant
anyone who had fought against him was a traitor to the crown and needed to earn his loyalty,
rewarded those who had fought with him e.g. jasper Tudor or duke of Bedford
