Aspects in Depth: Challenges to Authority - Challenging the Succession, 1485-99.

Question 1

How did Henry VII initially look to secure his throne?

Answer 1

• formal coronation
• used parl to punish enemies through AoA
• married EoY
• cautiously rewarded supporters, i.e. Thomas Lovell
• progresses
• reclaimed crown lands
• backdated ‘god given victory’

Question 2

What happened to Lambert Simnel?

Answer 2

• john de la pole unwilling to risk open rebellion so chosen as figurehead for yorkist uprising
• presented as EoW and momentum continued even when Henry produced real EoW
• JdlP & FL fled to Burgundy where margaret helped raise troops and funds
• 2000 german mercenaries on side
• sailed to ireland, where supporters like Kildare Fitzgeralds crowned simnel in Dublin
• launched invasion; though Northumberland unable to stop them, Henry acted quickly, guarding coasts and travelling NW, gathering troops and supplies
• May 1487: defeated rebels @stoke, Schwartz, dlP killed, lovell disappeared, simnel put to work at court

Question 3

How great a threat did Simnel pose?

Answer 3

• over quickly
• didn’t have to fight for throne
• removed strongest rival claimants
• 28 AoA against rebels
• decisive action
• rebels had no widespread support
• desire for stability
  BUT
• rival claimants + foreign support
• raised army and secured base
• inexperienced and slow to distrust dlP

Question 4

What happened to Perkin Warbeck?

Answer 4

• similar age to DoY so no way for henry to dismiss claims
• 1491: mixed reception in cork but after writing to foreign leaders initially treated as royal guest by charles vi and recognised by MoB
• burgundy agents infiltrated england and even stanley implicated in plot against nephew henry
• 1495: warbeck attempts to land in Kent but flees, failing to rally support in scotland
• rebellion in cornwall around raising taxes so W tries his luck but Earl of Devon and royal forces trap rebels in taunton
• having tried to escape court W put in tower

Question 5

How great a threat did Warbeck pose?

Answer 5

• reassured spanish allies and secured tomdc
• length or reign + heir = more established, stronger dynasty anyway
• henry had spy network
• w couldn’t maintain support anywhere
• rewards = support of nobles like Courtenay (36/62 families under financial control)
  BUT
• evaded capture from a long time due to foreign support
• multitasking king stretching time and costs
• more plausible, supported claim

Question 6

How did Henry VII deal with the threat from Ireland?

Answer 6

• remote, independent, yorkist sympathisers
• poyning forced to arrest kildare and 1495 law harshly enforces english authority
• discouraged, neutralised, controlled
• provided active support from a convenient location

Question 7

How did Henry VII deal with the threat from Burgundy?

Answer 7

• MoB RIII’s sis = wants to restore yorkist monarchy
• HVII enforces trade embargo in 1493
• initially responded w/ own embargo but ended in 1946 w/ Intercursus Maximus
• HVII joins league of venice allowing each to focus on ind interest

Question 8

How did Henry VII deal with the threat from France?

Answer 8

• trad enemies, auld alliance, close, HVII didn’t secure Brittany
• forced negotiations by threatening to besiege Boulogne = 1492 ToEtaples
• financial security, french focused on italian conflict

Question 9

How did Henry VII deal with the threat from Scotland?

Answer 9

• trad mil enemy

- marriage pact between James IV and Henry’s daughter Margaret in 1497 truce of Ayton