D1: Foreign support for the pretenders

Question 1

Why was Burgundy a persistent threat to Henry VII?

Answer 1

Burgundy was controlled by the Yorkist Duchess Margaret, who actively supported Yorkist plotters, making it a stronghold for opposition against Henry.

Question 2

How did Margaret of Burgundy support Yorkist plotters?

Answer 2

Margaret offered protection and aid to key figures, including John de la Pole, Francis Lovell, and Perkin Warbeck.

Question 3

What did M of Burgundy do in terms of introducing foreign connections to Warbeck? No close detail needed.

Answer 3

She also used her close family connection with Maximilian, the Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperor, to try to improve Warbeck’s challenge.

Question 4

How did Margaret of Burgundy support Pretenders like Simnel and Warbeck?

Answer 4

Margaret provided both financial support and mercenary troops to help them in their attempts to challenge Henry.

Question 5

Why was Burgundy’s relationship with England economically significant?

Answer 5

Burgundy was a major trading partner, especially in the cloth industry, which was vital to England’s economy.

Question 6

What changed in 1488 regarding France and England?

Answer 6

France threatened the independence of Brittany, a close ally of England.

Question 7

What was King Charles VIII’s reaction to Henry’s actions?

Answer 7

Charles wished to avoid war and agreed to negotiate peace through the Treaty of Étaples in 1492

Question 8

What were the main terms of the Treaty of Étaples?

Answer 8

Charles promised not to support English rebels, particularly Perkin Warbeck, and agreed to pay most of Henry’s campaign costs along with an annual pension of £5,000.

Question 9

How did the Treaty of Étaples benefit Henry’s position?

Answer 9

It reinforced his reputation as a capable military leader, restored English prestige, and provided significant financial gains.

Question 10

Why was the Treaty of Étaples significant for Henry?

Answer 10

It removed the threat of a French-backed Yorkist challenge and enhanced his financial security.

Question 11

Did France remain a threat to Henry after the Treaty of Étaples?

Answer 11

No, after the treaty, France ceased to be a serious threat to Henry.

Question 12

Why was the northern border with Scotland a particular concern for Henry

Answer 12

Scotland was a traditional enemy of England and had a long-standing alliance with France.

Question 13

What serious challenge did Henry face from Scotland in 1495?

Answer 13

King James IV offered support to Perkin Warbeck, who posed as a Yorkist claimant to Henry’s throne.

Question 14

How long did the Scottish-supported challenge to Henry last?

Answer 14

continued for two years, from 1495 to 1497.

Question 15

Why did James IV stop supporting Warbeck?

Answer 15

James may have realized Henry’s throne was too secure to topple easily, or that it was too costly to continue supporting Warbeck.
- basically lost faith in him.

Question 16

What happened to Warbeck in 1497?

Answer 16

On July 6, 1497, Warbeck left Scotland on a boat funded by James IV, ending his support from Scotland.

Question 17

What did Warbeck’s departure allow for between England and Scotland?

Answer 17

It paved the way for a peaceful settlement, leading to the Truce of Ayton in 1497.

Question 18

How did the Truce of Ayton become a full treaty of peace?

Answer 18

In 1502, it was formalized as a peace treaty, and James IV married Henry VII’s daughter, Margaret, in 1503.

Question 19

What was the outcome of these events for Henry?

Answer 19

Scotland ceased to be a problem for Henry, and Warbeck was left without foreign support, leading to his capture later in 1497.

Question 20

Why was Ireland’s position strategic for launching invasions of England?

Answer 20

Its close proximity made it an ideal base for invasions.

Question 21

Who supported the Pretender Lambert Simnel in 1487 in Ireland?

Answer 21

The Earl of Kildare, a powerful Yorkist nobleman in Ireland.

Question 22

What significant action did Kildare take to support Simnel?

Answer 22

He arranged for Simnel’s coronation in Dublin.

Question 23

Why was it difficult for Henry VII to deal with Kildare’s support for Simnel?

Answer 23

Henry, as a new king with a weak claim, would face logistical challenges in sending an army to Ireland.

Question 24

What was the outcome of Simnel’s rebellion for the Irish?

Answer 24

Simnel and his Irish supporters were defeated at the Battle of Stoke in 1487.

Question 25

Did Ireland’s significance decline after Simnel’s defeat?

Answer 25

No, Ireland continued to be significant in the 1490s.

Question 26

How did Kildare react to another Pretender, Perkin Warbeck, in 1492?

Answer 26

After some persuasion, Kildare recognized Warbeck’s claim to the throne.

Question 27

What action did Henry VII take to control Ireland in 1494?

Answer 27

He appointed Sir Edward Poynings as Lord Deputy to pacify rebellious areas and strengthen English control.

Question 28

What was Poynings’ main policy to control Ireland?

Answer 28

He introduced Poynings’ Law in 1495 to secure future obedience to the English Crown.

Question 29

How did Kildare’s stance change after Poynings’ reforms?

Answer 29

Kildare remained loyal to Henry VII for the rest of his reign.

Question 30

What happened during Warbeck’s final invasion attempt in Cork in 1497?

Answer 30

He was turned away without any support from Ireland.