Background Flashcards
Who was Henry VII?
The first Tudor and only one to win his throne in combat, direct descendant of the first Duke of Lancaster
What was the War of the Roses?
Civil war in England 1455-1485 fought by two branches of the Royal family (Red Rose-Lancastrians, White Rose- Yorkists), English armies fought eachother 17 times, ended with the battle of Bosworth in 1485
Explain Henry VII’s claim to the throne
Blood comes from John of Gaunt on two sides, death of Henry VI’s only son gave him the main Lancastrian claim to the throne, Elizabeth of York (only surviving child of monarch Edward IV) had a stronger claim so he married her joining the two roses together
How did Richard III become king? 7 points
King Edward IV died in 1483 and his eldest son Edward V took the throne but his uncle (Richard III) wrestled power from him in May 1483 by appointing himself as King’s counsellor meaning he was in control of the government, both Edward V and his younger brother Richard taken into Richards custody and imprisoned in the Tower of London, Lord Hastings (trusted advisor to Edward IV) executed after Richard accuses him of treason, on July 6th 1483 Richard becomes king, Richard made sure the boys could be seen in the ground of the tower so it looked like he was taking care of him but gradually they disappeared and were never seen alive after July 1483, when they were found they had been executed and only Richard had the power to do this, he then went on tour to gain support
What is the impact of skipping a generation when the crown is handed over and when may this happen?
Leaves lingering claims to the throne among the previous monarch’s children, may happen if the eldest son of the monarch has died
How did Henry VII claim the throne? 8 points
Henry VII had lived in exile in France so lacked support (other than some Lancastrians), gathered an army in France and landed on south coast of wales 1st August 1485, gathered support as he marched inland to get to London, battle fought 22nd August, Tichard divided his army which outnumbered Henry’s into three groups (one led by Earl of Northumberland, another led by Duke of Norfolk), Richard’s reserve force refused to fight for him (Richard had lacked support from Earl of Northumberland) so Richard charged across the battlefield to kill Henry, Stanley’s intervened - Sir William surrounded and killed Richard in order to help Henry, Henry crowned after battle
Identify 4 advantages for Henry VII of having few relatives/supporters and few links within the nobility in England
Less people to influence political decisions, makes him appear strong and independent, no rumours or misconceptions of him, no loyalties to anyone so he can make decisions to benefit himself and the country
Identify 4 disadvantages for Henry VII of having few relatives/supporters and few links within the nobility in England
More vulnerable to rebellions, more difficult to call upon an army, lack of advice when making important political decisions, less people to entrust land to meaning he may not be able to build up as much wealth
Why did Henry VII have the most useful training of any king? 6 points
Age 14 to 27 he was in Brittany (most of the time hanging around the Duke’s court)so observed court politics as a little regarded outsider, learned a lot about courts in all the time waiting for the Duke to get ready to go hunting/ in gossip /in joining in hollow laughter at ducal jokes/ in watching the intrigues/ in sitting through long meals/ in getting to know what people thought behind the flattery they used to the powerful, he wasn’t treated unnaturally by people he met like a prince would have been, he had spent some of his time in Brittany as a prisoner, he ended up fleeing to France in 1484 where he successfully manoeuvred among competing parties to gain support in money/soldiers/ships, he was aware of ‘pretenders’ like the Simnels or Warbecks which foreign princes used to stir up trouble against him because he had been one of these himself
Who did Henry VII trust? 4 people
His uncle Jasper who had been with him in Brittany and France and looked after Wales for him until his death in 1495, his mother Margaret Beaufort who had been in england during Henry’s time abroad and was a great noblewoman and was married to Thomas (Lord Stanley who switched to Henry during the Battle of Bosworth), two talented clerics who had worked for him in exile (John Morton who became Archbishop of Canterbury and Richard Fox who became Bishop of Winchester)
What was the Kings role in the feudal system?
He was in complete control under the Feudal system; he owned all land and decided whom he would lease land to (nobles he trusted) however they had to swear an oath of fealty to the King first
What was the barons role in the Feudal system?
Barons established their own system of justice, minted their own money and set their own taxes. They had to serve on the royal council, pay rent, provide knights, provide lodging and food when the king and his court travelled through his realm. They were granted land by the king
What was the knights role in the feudal system?
Provide military service for the king, protect the baron and his family aswell as the Manor from attack, knights distributed some land that they were given by the barons to villeins but could keep as much as they want for themselves
What was the villeins role in the feudal system?
Provided knights with free labour, food and service when demanded -they had no rights as they couldn’t leave the Manor and had to ask permission from their lord to marry
How did the Black Death 1348 affect feudalism?
Serfs made up the bulk of society so their class was but the hardest. They catered for everyone and barons were now willing to pay higher wages and offer extra benefits so when the serfs died the foundation on which feudalism relief was token. The Black Death wiped out a third of Europe’s population. Serfs were now free to leave the lands of the lords and seek higher wages with the vast labour shortages. The land that had previously been the main source of wealth was now worthless
