Consolidation of Power Flashcards
Henry VII's character and aims, establishing the Tudor dynasty
When was the Battle of Bosworth and who was is fought between?
- 22nd August 1485
- Henry Tudor (Lancaster) vs. Richard III (York)
Who were the key individuals?
- Henry Tudor
- Richard III
- Lord Thomas Stanley
- Sir William Stanley
- Rhys ap Thomas
What were the key events of the battle?
- Henry gained Welsh support
- Henry’s army of 5000 men met Richard III’s royal army
- the Stanleys were reluctant to support Richard
- the two sides fought, and the Duke of Norfolk (Yorkist) was killed
- Henry asked the Stanleys to join him
- Richard III attacks Henry
- William Stanley takes action
- Richard III killed
- Henry becomes king
What is the overall significance of the Battle of Bosworth?
- Henry could be challenged in the future as he usurped the throne from Richard, so could get usurped himself
- Yorkists could challenge his authority as they may not view him as the rightful king
- Henry gained the support of the Stanleys
What are the 7 characteristics of Henry VII?
- fearful that he would be usurped, especially as he had many enemies
- careful with money (spent to benefit himself or the country)
- “preferred peace to war”
- kept power to himself to act as insurance
- ill experienced in government, but governed effectively
- level headed
- stranger to England due to his exile to Brittany
- no reliable, trusted nobles that he was close to
What was Henry’s main aim at the start of his reign?
- to consolidate his power
What were Henry’s immediate actions after the Battle of Bosworth? (1/2)
- dated his reign from 21st August 1485 to ensure the Yorkists would be traitors
- shows his authority as can and will punish those against him
- publicly rewarded many supporters
- gain popularity
- detaining Elizabeth of York and Earl of Warwick, each who could be greater claimants
- to ensure Henry’s security
- appointed Sir William Stanley as Chamberlain of the Household, and made Sir Reginald Bray Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
- gain popularity with powerful people
What were Henry’s immediate actions after the Battle of Bosworth? (2/2)
- coronation to take place before his first Parliament
- right to throne based on hereditary not just because of Parliament, therefore strengthen his claim
- Acts of Attainder against Yorkists in Battle where their property was forfeit to the Crown, increasing royal income
- enhanced more when Henry granted tonnage and poundage for life
- land = money = power
- Jan 1486 Henry married Elizabeth of York, able to ensure his assumption of the Crown was not due to his wife’s claim
- also able to exploit union of the houses
- less chance of future conflict
- also able to exploit union of the houses
- September 1489 Prince Arthur born, securing the Tudor dynasty with an heir
- certainty
Who was Edward, Earl of Warwick?
- last male member of House of Plantagenet
- nephew of Richard III and Edward IV
- became Earl of Warwick in 1478
- after Battle of Bosworth, was brought to London and imprisoned in the Tower
- due to threat of his claim
- remained a prisoner for the rest of his life
Who was Sir William Stanley?
- fought on Yorkist side in 1459
- Richard III rewarded him with land
- switched to support Henry in 1485
- helped Henry secure Battle of Bosworth victory
- Henry made him Lord Chamberlain and Chamberlain of the Exchequer
- 1495 convicted of treason and executed for his support of pretender Perkin Warbeck
What is parliamentary sanction?
- official confirmation/ratification of a law given by Parliament as the acclaimed body of the State
What are Acts of Attainder?
- declared the landowner guilty of rebelling against a monarch
- the noble would lose his title, lands and sometimes his ilfe
- heirs were disinherited
What is tonnage and poundage?
- the right to raise revenue for the whole reign from imports and exports
Why was Henry’s position extremely insecure?
- many Yorkists still regarded him as a usurper, despite his marriage to Elizabeth
- several potential Yorkist claimants
- appearance of pretenders to the throne who pretended to be either Edward V or Richard (princes in the Tower)
- Henry fearful of Margaret of Burgundy’s influence (Edward IV and Richard III sister)
- had access to funds enabling her to encourage Yorkist claimants
What were the key events in Henry’s consolidation of power in the years 1485 - 1499?
- 1485
- Henry wins Battle of Bosworth and is crowned king
- 1486
- Lovell rebellion
- Prince Arthur born
- 1487
- Lambert Simnel conspiracy
- Battle of Stoke field
- 1495
- Warbeck in Kent
When was the Lovell rebellion?
1486
What were the events of the rebellion by Viscount Lovell and the Staffords?
- Viscount Lovell (key Richard III supporter) and Stafford tried to raise a rebellion in North Riding of Yorkshire, heartland of Richard III support
- at the same time, Stafford tried to raise forces against Henry in the Midlands
- Lovell escaped from the king’s forces
- Stafford captured and executed
What is the significance of the Lovell and Stafford uprising?
- little enthusiasm at this stage for a Yorkist rising
- easily suppressed
- first (although minor) rising against Henry