Claiming The Throne & Elizabeth Of York Marriage

Question 1

Why was the fact that the Tudor claim to the throne by right of birth was undoubtedly dubious, dangerous

Answer 1

several alternative candidates for the crown with equally strong claims

Question 2

Significance of Battle of Bosworth

Answer 2

a sign of God’s approval of the

Tudor candidate.

Question 3

In the speech Henry gave to his first parliament in November 1485, he claimed

Answer 3

suggested that his claim was hereditary, but also by right of conquest. He also indicated that he would allow all those who were loyal to him to prosper.

Question 4

His claim was based on

Answer 4

he was an acceptable and practical option

Question 5

What did Henry do because he was concerned about the strength of his hold on the throne and was anxious to consolidate his position as quickly as possible?

Answer 5

cleverly dated his reign from 21 August, the day before the Battle
of Bosworth, so that technically all those who had fought against him were traitors. This instantly
out Yorkist supporters in a legally weak position and ensured that they were immediately made very
ware of their need to please the new monarch.

Question 6

A key factor in stabilising the kingdom and consolidating Henry’s claim on the throne

Answer 6

Marriage to Elizabeth of York- would allow his heirs to claim the throne on both the Yorkist and Lancastrian side, ending WOR

Question 7

Who was the marriage match negotiated by

Answer 7

The mothers of the bride and groom, Elizabeth Woodville and Lady Margaret Beaufort

Question 8

two important impediments to be overcome before the marriage could
take place:

Answer 8

1. Henry and Elizabeth were related because they were both great-great-
   grandchildren of John of Gaunt. Therefore, they required a
   papal dispensation to marry. 2. at the instigation of Richard Ill, all the children of Edward IV
   and Elizabeth Woodville had been declared illegitimate, on the grounds that King Edward’s marriage
   to his Woodville bride had never been valid because he had been pre-contracted to Lady Eleanor
   Butler

Question 9

When were heirs basterdised

Answer 9

The parliamentary Act of early 1484

Question 10

Why was bastardisation a significant problem for Elizabeth

Answer 10

a young woman declared illegitimate by parliament could not

hope to marry a king, nor would her children necessarily have a claim to the throne.

Question 11

What did parliament agree to mid-Jan 1486 thst was unusually extreme and indicated Henry’s insecurity at this early stage of his reign and
the potential seriousness of the threat to the legitimisation of his
heirs?

Answer 11

To reverse the Act of Bastardisation, and had ordered that the record of such an Act and all copies of it to be burnt and completely destroyed, so that they would be totally removed from the formal record

Question 12

What meant the marriage was authorised

Answer 12

a papal dispensation for the
marriage was authorised and two days later on 18 January. the
wedding celebrations took place.

Question 13

A factor that made Henry’s marriage to York advantageous in terms of relatives

Answer 13

match made for reasons of political expediency rather than love. Henry benefited from having a smaller circle of both blood-relations and in-laws, so he was not required to support too many people.

Question 14

Who played a very high-profile role in the king’s court and some commentators regarded her as dominating her daughter-in-law to an unusual degree.

Answer 14

Henry VI’s mother, Lady

Margaret Beaufort

Question 15

The main evidence for mother’s unusual dominant role over elizabeth comes from

Answer 15

The main evidence for this comes from letters from
Spanish ambassadors to the government of their own country,
Who were involved in the negotiation of a match between Prince
Arthur and the Spanish princess, Katherine of Aragon, and so
were keeping a close eye on matters at the English court.

Question 16

For example, wh felt that Henry VIl

was overly influenced by his mother and that Elizabeth of York resented this

Answer 16

the Spanish diplomat, Pedro de Ayala. Also claims that Elizabeth eas bullied by Margaret

Question 17

Why should spanish sources be viewed as infallible

Answer 17

Foreign ambassadors did on occassion misread situationd in court. Elizabeth must have had some influence at court if Spanish felt it was worth cultivating her friendship.

Question 18

Was Elizabeth of York highly successful in a much-prized sphere if queenship

Answer 18

she was fertile and gave birth to a
number of children, five of whom survived infancy. Helpfully, her
first child was a boy, Arthur, providing Henry with a much-needed
heir to help make his reign and dynasty more secure.

Question 19

After 1503, who was the sole male heir to the throne

Answer 19

Prince Henry