Assess the validity of this view. [25 marks]
‘REBELLIONS WERE THE GREATEST THREAT TO HENRY VII’S ROYAL AUTHORITY.’
Rebellions- huge threat, caused by dynastic issues and tax resentment.
- Dynastic- 1485 - Lovell Rebellion, 1486 - Warbeck rebellion, 1487 - Simnel Rebellion (led to the
battle of stoke)
- Tax rebellions- 1489 - Yorkist Rebellion, 1497 - Cornish Rebellion, undermined his authority
Threat as many had the support from foreign nations like burgundy or Ireland. Meant henry had lost
control over parts of England further from London, made him look like a weak leader and in turn reflected
that through economic drain and foreign vulnerability.
However- none posed a huge threat, most were pacified and made Henry look stronger as he defeated
rebellions, once again justifying his right to the throne on the battlefield.
Nobility threats- nobility were a large threat because…
- attainders were used on men who opposed Henry in the Battle of Bosworth. They lost their titles
and possessions as well as being declared guilty of treason. During Henrys reign 138 attainders
were passed 46 of which were reversed, to do this they must show secure gratitude and loyalty
towards Henry as well as paying a large fine. Nobles were challenging for Henry as they often had a
good financial status so could gather men to start a rebellion, nobles had the power of speaking to
vast amounts of people and spreading a message.
- E.g. Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey attained in 1485 and put in the Tower because his father fought
for Richard at Bosworth.
- The number of restrictions placed on the nobility during henrys reign illustrate the threat they
posed to the crown. Henry only created 1 earl.
- Henry used bonds and recognizances to ensure good behaviour, a bond was a written contract
compelling a person to behave well (ensuring they didn't step out of line at all in the event of a
rebellion, for example) or to perform a specific task, or else they would lose money specified by
their bond. They grew from earning Henry £3,000 a year in 1493 to £35,000 by 1505. A
recognizance was a recognition that a person owed the crown debt but did not necessarily force
them to pay the sum immediately, or at all. Instead, it was often held against nobility to ensure
their compliance.
However- nobility took part in rebellions, e.g. Lovell rebellion aimed to overthrow Henry and replace with a
Yorkist. Led by Lovell and Stafford who were noblemen who fought for Richard at the Battle of Bosworth
Foreign powers- A major foreign threat was Frances invasion of Brittany. Brittany was the last independent
area within France and was governed by the ageing Duke Francis, who had been a generous hosted to the
exiled Henry. Henry sent 6,000 mercenaries to Brittany.
result was the Treaty of Etaples (November 3rd, 1492). Henry received a promise from Charles that he
would no longer give any assistance to any pretenders to the English throne. Henry also received a total of
745,000 crowns – the cost of the venture – to be paid at 50,000 crowns a year. This amounted to about 5%
of Henry’s total annual income. However, henry looked weak to the international community for losing
Brittany.
However… foreign power threats link to rebellions as many pretenders had support from abroad, e.g.
Warbeck, Margaret Beaufort, France, Scotland etc
Furthermore, henry was able to control threats from abroad very well, he controlled Spanish threats with
marriage and treaties such as the medina del campo (1489) or the treaty of Ayton (1497) both establishing
marriage ties with powerful and threatening countries.
,reforms were also beneficial
because government became
more efficient due to reduced
factional rivalries.
Parliamentary reforms were
also considerably successful as
witnessed in its central role to
government. Parliamentary
functions included granting
taxation as well as passing
legislation. The first two
Parliament meeting were to
pass numerous Acts of
Attainder. This
declared landowners of being
guilty of rebelling against the
monarch and thus the attained
, noble would lose their title and
subsequently their political
power and influence. Such
legislation was successful as it
meant that the nobility was
now regulated by sanctions
and
could subsequently lose their
political influence and power
once they step out of line.
Therefore, Henry was able to
successfully assert authority
over his kingdom and maintain
law and order, demonstrating a
wide scope as the judicial
sentence was frequently used,
subsequently increasing royal
income. In this, reforms
weren’t limited in scope and
success.
‘REBELLIONS WERE THE GREATEST THREAT TO HENRY VII’S ROYAL AUTHORITY.’
Rebellions- huge threat, caused by dynastic issues and tax resentment.
- Dynastic- 1485 - Lovell Rebellion, 1486 - Warbeck rebellion, 1487 - Simnel Rebellion (led to the
battle of stoke)
- Tax rebellions- 1489 - Yorkist Rebellion, 1497 - Cornish Rebellion, undermined his authority
Threat as many had the support from foreign nations like burgundy or Ireland. Meant henry had lost
control over parts of England further from London, made him look like a weak leader and in turn reflected
that through economic drain and foreign vulnerability.
However- none posed a huge threat, most were pacified and made Henry look stronger as he defeated
rebellions, once again justifying his right to the throne on the battlefield.
Nobility threats- nobility were a large threat because…
- attainders were used on men who opposed Henry in the Battle of Bosworth. They lost their titles
and possessions as well as being declared guilty of treason. During Henrys reign 138 attainders
were passed 46 of which were reversed, to do this they must show secure gratitude and loyalty
towards Henry as well as paying a large fine. Nobles were challenging for Henry as they often had a
good financial status so could gather men to start a rebellion, nobles had the power of speaking to
vast amounts of people and spreading a message.
- E.g. Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey attained in 1485 and put in the Tower because his father fought
for Richard at Bosworth.
- The number of restrictions placed on the nobility during henrys reign illustrate the threat they
posed to the crown. Henry only created 1 earl.
- Henry used bonds and recognizances to ensure good behaviour, a bond was a written contract
compelling a person to behave well (ensuring they didn't step out of line at all in the event of a
rebellion, for example) or to perform a specific task, or else they would lose money specified by
their bond. They grew from earning Henry £3,000 a year in 1493 to £35,000 by 1505. A
recognizance was a recognition that a person owed the crown debt but did not necessarily force
them to pay the sum immediately, or at all. Instead, it was often held against nobility to ensure
their compliance.
However- nobility took part in rebellions, e.g. Lovell rebellion aimed to overthrow Henry and replace with a
Yorkist. Led by Lovell and Stafford who were noblemen who fought for Richard at the Battle of Bosworth
Foreign powers- A major foreign threat was Frances invasion of Brittany. Brittany was the last independent
area within France and was governed by the ageing Duke Francis, who had been a generous hosted to the
exiled Henry. Henry sent 6,000 mercenaries to Brittany.
result was the Treaty of Etaples (November 3rd, 1492). Henry received a promise from Charles that he
would no longer give any assistance to any pretenders to the English throne. Henry also received a total of
745,000 crowns – the cost of the venture – to be paid at 50,000 crowns a year. This amounted to about 5%
of Henry’s total annual income. However, henry looked weak to the international community for losing
Brittany.
However… foreign power threats link to rebellions as many pretenders had support from abroad, e.g.
Warbeck, Margaret Beaufort, France, Scotland etc
Furthermore, henry was able to control threats from abroad very well, he controlled Spanish threats with
marriage and treaties such as the medina del campo (1489) or the treaty of Ayton (1497) both establishing
marriage ties with powerful and threatening countries.
,reforms were also beneficial
because government became
more efficient due to reduced
factional rivalries.
Parliamentary reforms were
also considerably successful as
witnessed in its central role to
government. Parliamentary
functions included granting
taxation as well as passing
legislation. The first two
Parliament meeting were to
pass numerous Acts of
Attainder. This
declared landowners of being
guilty of rebelling against the
monarch and thus the attained
, noble would lose their title and
subsequently their political
power and influence. Such
legislation was successful as it
meant that the nobility was
now regulated by sanctions
and
could subsequently lose their
political influence and power
once they step out of line.
Therefore, Henry was able to
successfully assert authority
over his kingdom and maintain
law and order, demonstrating a
wide scope as the judicial
sentence was frequently used,
subsequently increasing royal
income. In this, reforms
weren’t limited in scope and
success.
