consolidation of power Flashcards
What event led to Henry VII’s ascension to the throne?
Henry Tudor became King Henry VII following his victory over Richard III’s forces at the Battle of Bosworth on 22 August 1485.
What was the significance of Henry VII’s victory at the Battle of Bosworth?
His victory terminated Plantagenet rule in England and established the Tudor dynasty.
Why was Henry VII’s grasp of power considered insecure?
Henry VII had virtually no discernible claim to the throne and faced many enemies eager to see him fail.
How did Henry VII consolidate his power?
He needed to establish his dynasty and deal firmly with any rivals to the throne.
What was weak about Henry VII’s claim to the throne?
His claim was weak because he was descended through the female line via his mother, Lady Margaret.
Where did Henry’s line come from?
John of Gaunt’s third wife: their son John Beaufort had been born before their marriage and therefore was seen as illegitimate.
Why did Henry VII become a claimant to the Lancastrian throne?
There was no one else who could fulfil the role.
Who proclaimed Henry VII king on the battlefield?
Lord Stanley.
When did Henry visit London?
3rd September 1485
What was the London public reaction to Henry visiting London?
They were wooed by pageantry and ceremony, cheering for their new monarch.
Who was Thomas Stanley?
Henry VII stepfather who initially stood beside him in battle.
How did Henry reward Thomas Stanley?
He was rewarded with the title Earl of Derby, Derby was crucial to exercise the royal power in the northwest of England and north Wales during Henry’s reign.
What was Henry VII’s upbringing like?
Henry VII had not been brought up to rule.
What significant event occurred in 1471?
In 1471, Edward IV regained power for the House of York in the Battle of Tewkesbury.
What happened to many of Henry’s relations during the Battle of Tewkesbury?
Many of Henry’s relations, the Lancastrians, died or were executed.
Where did Henry flee after the Battle of Tewkesbury?
Henry fled to France, where he lived for most of the time as a fugitive in the Duchy of Brittany.
How did Thomas Penn view Henry’s experience as a fugitive?
Thomas Penn believed Henry’s ability to think like a fugitive proved to be useful political training for his future as a ruler.
What was Henry VII’s main purpose from 1485?
Henry’s main purpose was to ensure that he kept his throne.
What was Henry VII mindful of regarding previous monarchs?
He was mindful that four monarchs from the previous hundred years had met untimely ends.
What was Henry VII’s primary aim at the start of his reign?
His primary aim was to consolidate his power.
How did Henry VII consolidate his power?
He consolidated his power through a number of political actions combined with military success.
Who was Edward, Earl of Warwick?
The son of Edward IV’s brother, the Duke of Clarence, he was placed in the Tower of London in 1485 and was beheaded in 1499 for plotting against Henry VII.
What date did Henry VII date his reign from?
21 August 1485, the day before the Battle of Bosworth.
What was the significance of the date Henry VII chose for his reign?
It allowed him to designate anyone who fought on the Yorkist side as a traitor.
How did Henry VII reward his key supporters?
He conferred 11 knighthoods.
Who were detained by Henry VII to secure his power?
Elizabeth of York and Edward IV’s nephew, the Earl of Warwick.
What key appointments did Henry VII make?
He made Sir Reginald Bray Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Sir William Stanley Chamberlain of the Household.
Who was Sir William Stanley?
The brother of Thomas Stanley and Henry VII’s step-uncle, rewarded with the post of Lord Chamberlain after Bosworth.
What is parliamentary sanction?
An official confirmation or ratification of a law given by Parliament as the acclaimed body of the State.
What is an Act of Attainder?
It declared a landowner guilty of rebelling against a monarch, resulting in the loss of title, lands, and sometimes life.
What does tonnage and poundage refer to?
The right to raise revenue for the whole reign from imports and exports.
When did Henry VII arrange his coronation?
On 30 October, before the meeting of his first Parliament on 7 November.
What was the purpose of the Acts of Attainder against Yorkists?
To ensure their property was forfeit to the Crown, increasing royal income.
What significant marriage did Henry VII arrange in January 1486?
He married Elizabeth of York, the daughter of King Edward IV.
What was the significance of the Tudor rose?
It combined the red rose of Lancaster with the white rose of York, symbolizing the union of the two houses.
What event in September 1489 was vital for Henry VII’s dynasty?
The birth of an heir to the throne, Prince Arthur.
What was Henry’s position regarding the Tudor dynasty?
Henry’s position was extremely insecure due to Yorkist opposition and potential claimants to the throne.
