AS FP1 : Consolidation of power, Early Threats (1485-1487) Flashcards
Conceptual Awareness
Describe Henry VII’s position at the beginning of his reign?
At the beginning of his reign Henry VII’s position was extremely insecure.
* Many Yorkists were not satisfied with his marriage to Elizabeth and still regarded him as a usurper.
* There were several Yorkist claiments such as the Earls of Warwick and Lincoln.
* Henry also feared the influence of Margaret of Burgundy who had the money and motives to greatly threaten Henry VII’s position.
Viscount Lovell and the Staffords Rebellion
When was the Lovell + Stafford Rebellion?
The Lovell and Stafford Rebellion was in April 1486, a year into Henry’s reign.
Viscount Lovell and the Staffords
Describe the events of the Lovell + Stafford Rebellion.
- April 1486
- Led by Francis Viscount Lovell and Humphrey Stafford (Yorkists).
- Lovell tried to raise a rebellion in Yorkshire whilst Stafford tried to raise a military force against Henry.
- Lovell managed to escape from Henry’s forces whilst Stafford was dragged out of sanctuary and arrested.
- The rebellion ultimately failed as both Lovell and Stafford failed to raise enough support due to a lack of a yorkist figurehead.
Minimal dynastic threat
Viscount Lovell and the Staffords
What was the significance of the Lovell-Stafford Rebellion?
The Lovell-Stafford Rebellion was a short-term consolidation of power as Henry had dealt with the immediate threat however not the Yorkist threat completely - Yorkists understood that they still needed a figurehead to rally around if they were to rebel again.
- The Law of Sanctuary had been broken
- Showed the efficacy of Henry’s spy network.
Lambert Simnel and the Rebellion of the Earl of Lincoln
What were the motivations behind the Lambert Simnel rebellion?
Yorkists were discontented with the fact that a Yorkist king had been deposed in favour of a Lancastrian King - the War of the Roses was still ongoing.
Following the Lovell rebellion they understood that they needed both financial support and a figurehead of the rebellion.
Lambert Simnel and the Rebellion of the Earl of Lincoln
Who was Lambert Simnel, who was he trying to impersonate and why?
Lambert Simnel was a boy from oxford who was tutored in courtly manners by a priest, Richard Symonds, with the intention of impersonating Edward, Earl of Warwick (a Yorksit claimant to the throne).
Warwick had been arrested by Henry at the start of his reign and many had presumed him dead.
Lambert Simnel and the Rebellion of the Earl of Lincoln
What year was the Lambert Simnel rebellion?
1487
Lambert Simnel and the Rebellion of the Earl of Lincoln
What were some of the successes achieved by the rebels during the Lambert Simnel Rebellion?
Some of the successes achieved by the rebels during the Lambert Simnel Rebellion were,
- Simnel recieved considerable support, he was crowned Edward VI in Dublin Cathedral by the Earl of Kildare in May 1487 and Magaret of Burgundy gave Simnel 2000 mercanaries and recognised him as her nephew.
These were significant as it was foreign support - reinforcing England as a third-rate power who was not respected by other countries.
Lambert Simnel and the Rebellion of the Earl of Lincoln
Who was it that orchestrated the rebellion?
John de La Pole, Earl of Lincoln - a yorkist claimant - orchestrated the rebellion against Henry.
Lambert Simnel and the Rebellion of the Earl of Lincoln
What was Henry’s initial response to the rebellion? What did his response show?
Henry was made aware early on about the rebellion due to his spy network, allowing him ample opportunity to strike back.
Henry had the Earl of Warwick locked away in the tower, he thus paraded him around London to denounce the rebels (causing the Earl of Lincoln to flee) highlighting his cunning and shrewd nature.
Lambert Simnel and the Rebellion of the Earl of Lincoln
How did Henry begin to neutralise the threat of the rebels?
He reinstated the Earl of Northumberland to power in the North.
- This helped to neutralise Richard’s old power base and also ensured that the traditional Yorkist Howard family had no intention of joining the conspiracy as Northumberland was on eof their descendants.
He also reinforced coastal defences in East Anglia.
- This showed Henry’s aptitude for defence, his cunning nature as well as his ability to be flexible and prudent.
Lambert Simnel and the Rebellion of the Earl of Lincoln
What was the reaction of the general population towards Simnel and the rebels?
When the rebels landed in North-West Cumbria they failed to drum up support despite being at the heart of Richard’s power base - this was because many nobles and gentry already feared Henry’s acts of attainders and the general population were sick of war and wanted peace.
Lambert Simnel and the Rebellion of the Earl of Lincoln
When was the Battle of Stoke Field?
16th June 1487
Lambert Simnel and the Rebellion of the Earl of Lincoln
In short, what are some key facts about the Battle of Stoke Field?
- Henry’s group of advisors consisted of the relatives of Yorkists who had been victims of Richard III.
- The King’s Army was lead by the Earl of Oxford.
- The rebels were defeated, the Earl of Lincoln was killed and Viscount Lovell, who had joined the rebellion, fled and was never seen again.
Lambert Simnel and the Rebellion of the Earl of Lincoln
What was the significance of the Battle of Stoke Field?
- It brought about an end to the War of the Roses and Henry’s position became much safer.
- Henry had been faced with a crisis which he had overcome with shrewdness, orginaisational skills and the military leadership of his supporters.
- His mild treatment of Lambert, making him a Royal Turnspit, won over some Yorkists and showed that he was not wholly ruthless.
- He also began using bonds of good-behaviour as a method of control.
Lambert Simnel and the Rebellion of the Earl of Lincoln
How did the Lambert Simnel rebellion consolidate Henry VII’s power?
The Lambert Simnel rebellion consolidated Henry VII’s power in the long-term as he demonstrated his kingship, his cunning and shrewdness in dealing with immediate threats ; his ability to overcome the difficulties faced showed his aptitude for ruling and won him respect amongst his subjects.
Similarly, it consolidated his power in the long-term by bringing about an end to the War of the Roses.
The immediate threat of a pretender was dismissed - short-term.
