Consolidation of power Flashcards
What caused the Wars of the Roses?
The successful short reign of Henry V was followed by the disastrous reign of Henry VI. The shortcomings of his rule culminated in the outbreak of the Wars of the Roses in 1455 between the Royal houses of Lancaster and York.
England was then subjected to intermitted civil war for over 30 years and 5 violent changes of monarch.
When were The Wars of the Roses
1455-1485
What did the white rose represent
House of York
What did the red rose represent
House of Lancaster
Who was Richard III
Richard III was a member of the Plantagenet family, who had ruled England for almost 300 years by the time of his birth.
Brother of Edward IV
House of York
How did Richard III and become King?
Richard III claimed that his nephews lacked legitimacy and he cause controversy with the ‘Princes in the Tower’
Richard’s usurpation in 1483 destroyed the unity of the House of York.
Who was Henry Tudor?
Lancastrian
weak claim to the throne- descended through the female line his mother Margaret Beaufort-line came from John of Gaunt’s third wife
In exile in France for most of his life in Brittany and looked after by his uncle Jasper Tudor
When was the Battle of Bosworth
22nd August 1485
Events at Bosworth
Henry saw an opportunity to return to England after controversy over the ‘Princes in the Tower’
Henry went from being a distant claimant to being Richard’s main rival
Richards allies on the day either switched sides or remained inactive during the battle
Richard was unseated from his horse and killed
Henry was proclaimed King of England on the battlefield by Lord Stanley.
Why was Henry 7th claim to the throne weak?
He was descended through the female line represented by his mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort
The line had come from John of Gaunts 3rd wife and their son was born illegitimate
Was seen as a usurper and not a rightful king
How did Henry consolidate his power?
Pre-dating his reign- nobles on Rs side guilty of treason
Marriage to Elizabeth of York- united house of York and Lancaster, didn’t marry until crowned king in his own right, birth of Arthur
Crowned King before parliament met- kingly authority stemmed from is own power rather than granted by parliament
Being a progress
Backing of the Pope
Who was Edward, Earl of Warwick?
most obvious Yorkist claimant
innocent victim of political manoeuvrings- 10 at battle of B
spent most of his life I confinement before he was executed in TOL in 1499
Who was John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln?
Mother was Elizabeth of York who was Richard 3rd and Edward 4ths sister- their nephew
Potential Yorkist claimant
lambert simnel rebellion
Who was Margaret of Burgundy?
Sister of Edward 4th and Richard 3rd
Dowager duchess of Burgundy
Yorkist with links and power
Mother in law of Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian
When was the Lovell/Stafford rebellion?
1486
What were the events of the Lovell/Stafford rebellion?
Viscount Lovell was close ally of Richard 3rd
After Bosworth he sought sanctuary with Sir Thomas and Sir Humphrey Stafford
Lovell tried to raise a rebellion in Richards home area, Yorkshire
Stafford tried to raise a rebellion in the Midlands
Rebellion was crushed and was little enthusiasm
Lovell escaped, Stafford executed and Thomas Stafford was pardoned (showed clemency)
When was the Lambert Simnel Rebellion?
1487
What were the events of the Lambert Simnel Rebellion?
Following the Lovell rebellion, leading Yorkists realised that a change in strategy was needed- Yorkist figurehead and financial support
Figurehead was Lambert Simnel-impersonating Richard, Duke of York (Edwards nephew imprisoned by Henry)
Put together by John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln
He fled to Margaret of Burgundy’s court so she could pay for 2000 German mercenaries to invade England.
Henry had plenty notice of conspiracy so had time to plan a response
Henry exhibited the real Earl of Warwick in London
Henry took a gamble and reinstated untrustworthy Earl of Northumberland in the North to help neutralise Richard’s old power base and ensured that the Yorkist Howard family had no intention of joining the rebellion as North was one of their descendants
Why did Simnel’s rebellion not attract more support?
English put off by wild Irish contingent
Lord’s and gentry cautious after Lovell
Henry not king long so people didn’t have reason to overthrow him
Henry passed the Star Chamber Act so councillors and judges could enforce the law
Majority of people wanted peace rather than further disruption
What happened to Simnel
Captured at Battle of Stoke
Spared by Henry and given a job in the royal kitchens
How threatening was Lambert Simnel rebellion?
Simnel was clearly an imposter
Simnel seen as a puppet for attempt to restore Yorkist monarchy
Failure to attract English support
They had 8000 men Henry had 12000
Henry made no attempt to negotiate-raised an army
Majority of nobles showed loyalty to King
When was the Battle of Stoke Field?
1487
Who was Perkin Warbeck?
Cloth trader from Flanders who was a persistent irritant to Henry over a period of 8 years
Claimed to be Richard Duke of York-Prince in tower
Danger came from his ability to gain support from foreign rulers showing other rulers saw Henry’s position as fragile
What did Warbeck do in 1491?
Began to impersonate Richard, Duke of York in Ireland
Brief appearance at court of Charles VIII of France-forced to flee to court of Margaret of Burgundy where he was trained as a potential Yorkist prince
