#3.5 Securing his position

Question 1

What 4 measures did Henry VII take in securing his throne?

Answer 1

1. Dated his reign before Bosworth
2. Arranged his coronation for 30th October 1485
3. Requested papal dispensation to allow him to marry Elizabeth of York
4. Removed some of the Yorkist threats

Question 2

Why did Henry date his reign from the day (21st August 1485) before Bosworth?

(2)

Answer 2

1. So that supporters of Richard III in battle would be committing treason, allowing him to act against them and improve his security
2. Henry himself as not committing treason

Question 3

How effective was dating his reign from the day before Bosworth in helping Henry secure his position?

( /6)

Explain for and against effectiveness

Answer 3

4/6

Allowed him to fine and imprison many opponents which:

• Gained him wealth making crown more powerful
• Got rid of opposition

However

Much hostility remained

Question 4

Why did Henry arrange his coronation for the 30th October 1485?

(2)

Answer 4

1. Before wedding, so could not be claimed he owed his crown to his wife
2. Before Parliament met for first time, so could not be claimed he owed his crown to Parliament

Question 5

How effective was arranging his coronation for 30th October 1485 in securing Henry’s position as King?

( /6)

Analyse for and against

Answer 5

3/6

It could not be argued that Henry owed his crown to his wife or Paliament

However

Limited significance as people believed his blood claim was weak anyway, which factored in many uprisings

Question 6

Why did Henry ask for papal dispensation to marry Elizabeth of York?

Answer 6

To unite the houses of Lancaster and York

Question 7

How effective was marrying Elizabeth of York in securing Henry’s throne?

( /6)

Analyse for and against

Answer 7

3/6

Decreased much Yorkist upset

However

A lot still remained - Yorkist support factored in many later threats

Question 8

Why did Henry remove some of the Yorkist threats?

Answer 8

To help secure his throne against possible opposition and to send a message to other potetial Yorkist usupers

Question 9

How effective was removing some of the Yorkist threats in securing Henry’s throne?

( /6)

Analyse for and against

Answer 9

2/6

Probably stopped unrest being as bad as could have been

However

• The north remained uneasy
• Yorkshire rebellion
• Pretenders and claimants including prentend Warwick who was actually in tower

Overall Henry was never secure