D1: Lambert Simnel

Question 1

when was the simnel threat/ attempted challenge?

Answer 1

1486–87

Question 2

What was the initial threat to Henry’s rule in 1486-87?

Answer 2

hough early plots failed, threats persisted due to Francis Lovell’s freedom and Henry’s main rival, John de la Pole, who had questionable loyalty despite swearing allegiance

Question 3

How did the Yorkists plan to challenge Henry with Lambert Simnel?

Answer 3

Lacking a strong claimant, Yorkists used Lambert Simnel, a ten-year-old imposter trained to act as a royal prince, to unite opposition against Henry.

Question 4

How did John de la Pole and Lovell react after Simnel was revealed as an imposter?

Answer 4

Despite the error, they fled to Burgundy, where they gained Margaret of Burgundy’s support and used her resources to gather 2,000 German mercenaries.

Question 5

What role did Ireland play in the Simnel rebellion?

Answer 5

Ireland, a Yorkist stronghold, welcomed de la Pole and Lovell, where the Irish nobility crowned Simnel as king in Dublin and backed an invasion of England.

Question 6

How did the rebel forces proceed with their invasion?

Answer 6

Arriving in Northern England, they marched south, facing little resistance; Henry Percy, a local lord, took no action against the rebels, raising concerns about his loyalty.

Question 7

Who was Lambert Simnel, and how was he used in the rebellion against Henry VII?

Answer 7

Lambert Simnel was a ten-year-old boy, the son of a joiner from Oxford, trained by priest Richard Simons to impersonate a royal prince.

Question 8

Who aimed to manipulate Simnel and to do what?

Answer 8

John de la Pole aimed to manipulate Simnel to rally opposition against Henry VII, specifically impersonating the Earl of Warwick.

Question 9

What mistake did the plotters make regarding Simnel’s impersonation?

Answer 9

The plotters erred by having Simnel impersonate the Earl of Warwick because Henry produced the real Earl from the Tower of London, undermining their claims and showcasing Simnel as an imposter.

Question 10

Where did John de la Pole flee, and what support did he secure for the rebellion?

Answer 10

John de la Pole fled to Burgundy, joining Francis Lovell, and received help from Margaret of Burgundy in raising 2,000 German mercenaries, led by Martin Schwartz. The rebels then sailed to Ireland to further their cause.

Question 11

Who did de la Pole and Lovell meet in Ireland, and what did they accomplish?

Answer 11

In Ireland, de la Pole and Lovell met Fitzgerald, the Earl of Kildare, who supported their aims. Together, the Irish and English Yorkists crowned Simnel as king in Dublin and launched an invasion of England.

Question 12

What was the situation as the rebel army advanced in June 1487?

Answer 12

The rebel army arrived in the North in June 1487 and marched south. Henry Percy, the Earl of Northumberland, failed to act against the rebels, raising concerns about his loyalty since he had previously remained neutral during Bosworth.

Question 13

How did Henry VII respond to the perceived threat from Simnel?

Answer 13

Recognizing the serious threat, Henry acknowledged his earlier trust in de la Pole, who had attended a Council meeting discussing the Simnel threat. By April, Henry became aware of de la Pole’s involvement and began raising troops.

Question 14

What tactical measures did Henry take to prepare for the rebellion?

Answer 14

Henry displayed tactical awareness by ordering coastal defenses, although the rebels managed to land. As he received intelligence of the rebels coming from Ireland, he moved north and west, gathering men and supplies.

Question 15

What actions did Henry take upon reaching Kenilworth Castle?

Answer 15

By 8 May, Henry reached Kenilworth Castle, establishing it as his base. He waited for news of the rebels’ landing, and upon receiving it, he marched north to confront them at Stoke.

Question 16

What was the significance of the Battle of Stoke?

Answer 16

• seen as the conclusion of the Wars of the Roses.
  Despite the rebels’ well-trained German mercenaries, the poorly-armored Irish forces suffered heavy losses, leading to a decisive defeat for the rebels, including the deaths of Schwartz and de la Pole, while Lovell vanished.

Question 17

How did the outcome of the Simnel rebellion impact Henry’s reign?

Answer 17

• swift end to the rebellion
• faced no further battles in England to keep his throne, marking the close of the Wars of the Roses despite a later challenge from Perkin Warbeck.

Question 18

How serious was the threat posed by Lambert Simnel and his supporters to Henry VII?

Answer 18

significant threat to Henry’s throne:
-1487 rebel alliance consisted of rival claimants, discontented Yorkists, and foreign backing = a dangerous coalition.

Question 19

What was Simnel’s true role in the rebellion?

Answer 19

Although Simnel was an imposter, he acted as a puppet for John de la Pole, who had a stronger claim to the throne than Henry VII. If the rebels had succeeded at the Battle of Stoke, it’s likely that de la Pole would have replaced Simnel.

Question 20

What factors contributed to the seriousness of the Simnel challenge?

Answer 20

The rebels successfully raised an army with financial support from Margaret of Burgundy, which added to the seriousness of their challenge. Irish support was crucial, as it provided a base for launching their rebellion and facilitated early successes.

Question 21

Why was Irish support important for the rebels?

Answer 21

Ireland served as a potential launch point for invading England, and without Irish support, sustaining the rebellion or finding a base would have been much more difficult for the rebels.

Question 22

How did Henry’s response to the threat from de la Pole affect his position?

Answer 22

Henry’s position was threatened by his slow recognition of the danger posed by de la Pole. Despite associations with Yorkist plots in 1486, Henry continued to trust de la Pole and included him in Council meetings, showing his inexperience as a king.

Question 23

What was Henry’s mistake regarding de la Pole?

Answer 23

Instead of imprisoning de la Pole, Henry allowed him to remain free, which enabled de la Pole to flee to Burgundy and escape Henry’s control. This decision forced Henry into a position of having to fight de la Pole, a riskier approach than detaining him or pursuing treason charges.

Question 24

How serious was the threat from Simnel and his supporters?

Answer 24

The threat from Simnel should not be overstated. Although he posed a challenge, mistakes by the rebels, a lack of support and he acted decisively once the threat was clear. contributed to their downfall.

Question 25

What mistakes did the rebels make?

Answer 25

The rebels’ decision to claim that Simnel was the Earl of Warwick was a poor choice. This misrepresentation did not gain significant backing, as most people recognized Simnel was not who he claimed to be.

Question 26

Was there still support for Simnel once supporters found out who he was?

Answer 26

Yes, there were some dedicated Yorkists who supported him, they constituted a minority in 1487.

Question 27

What was the composition of the rebel fighting force?

Answer 27

The fighting force raised by de la Pole and Lovell consisted mainly of mercenaries rather than loyal Yorkist supporters. This reliance on paid fighters weakened their cause.

Question 28

How did the Irish nobility respond to the rebellion?

Answer 28

The Irish nobility, including Kildare, did not accompany the army and chose to stay in Ireland, preferring to wait and see how events unfolded. Their absence diminished the rebels’ strength.

Question 29

What did the absense of the Irish do the Simnel rebels cause and strength?

Answer 29

Their absence diminished the rebels’ strength.

Question 30

What was the response of the Earl of Northumberland to the rebel army?

Answer 30

The Earl of Northumberland did not resist the rebel army as they marched through the North. However, no significant support rallied to join the rebels, indicating a lack of enthusiasm for their cause.

Question 31

Why was the North significant in the context of the rebellion?

Answer 31

traditionally a stronghold for Richard III and the Yorkists. The absence of support from this region suggested that other parts of England were unlikely to support the rebellion either.

Question 32

What was the attitude of the Yorkist Earl of Surrey during the rebellion?

Answer 32

Earl of Surrey, who had fought for Richard III, did not seize the opportunity to escape from the Tower and join the rebels. His reluctance reflected the general preference among the landed elite for stability and order under Henry VII.

Question 33

Why did the landed elite prefer stability under Henry VII?

Answer 33

After years of political instability, the landed elite were cautious and prioritised self-preservation. They were unwilling to risk their property and lives by rebelling against an anointed king.

Question 34

How did Henry VII’s actions contribute to overcoming the rebellion?

Answer 34

Henry was prepared to lead an army himself and reacted swiftly to the news of the rebel army, positioning himself strategically in the middle of England for a military response.

Question 35

What was the outcome of the Battle of Stoke for Henry VII?

Answer 35

Henry’s tactics, combined with the rebels’ lack of military support, enabled him to win the Battle of Stoke relatively easily. This victory reinforced his claim as the rightful king and eliminated key Yorkist threats.

Question 36

How did Henry strengthen his position after the rebellion?

Answer 36

In November 1487, Henry called a second parliament and passed 28 Acts of Attainder against the rebels, strengthening his hold on the throne.

Question 37

What new powers did the king’s Council receive through Parliament?

Answer 37

Parl granted mems of the king’s Council additional authority to address local disorder, particularly against powerful nobles and gentry, utilizing the court of Star Chamber.

Question 38

What was the function of the court of Star Chamber?

Answer 38

The court of Star Chamber was responsible for hearing cases related to local disorder, reinforcing the authority of the Council. Although it was not created by Henry, his Act of Parliament formalized its functions.

Question 39

Acts of Attainder

Answer 39

A method of using an Act of Parliament to declare someone was guilty without having to put them on trial. All estates could be confiscated under an attainder, but it was also reversible for good behaviour.