Establishing the right to the throne Flashcards
What disadvantages did HVII face upon his accession?
His usurpation of the throne could be seen by contemporaries as just another example of the instability of the time
His claim was weak
His right of conquest was not sufficient to win loyalty of entire kingdom
The Yorkist threat lived on (de la Poles and Margaret of Burgundy)
What advantages did HVII have upon his accession?
Young, adult, proven in combat
Only child: no family disputes
Obscure origins: few enemies in high places
Those beneath the nobility ready to support the recovery of royal power
The death of many nobles allowed land to be returned to the Crown
What were HVII’s three main objectives upon his accession?
To establish and secure his right to the throne
To strengthen royal government by better control of the nobility
To strengthen the monarchy with a strong financial foundation
How did HVII move quickly to legitimise his claims?
He was coronated
He called Parliament (the traditional act of a new king)
He married Elizabeth of York, uniting the two warring houses
He had a son, Arthur, in 1486 to establish a sense of dynasty
He embarked on a Royal Progress north in April 1486
What was the significance behind HVII’s coronation?
It signified the approval of the Church and therefore of God
It required the nobility to swear an oath of loyalty to him
It defined rebellion as a sin against God
It was a symbol of his legitimacy
It took place BEFORE parliament and marriage to show that HVII was king in his own right
Give 5 examples of supporters of HVII who were well rewarded, and how they were rewarded
John de Vere was made Earl of Oxford
Lord Stanley was made Earl of Derby
Sir William Stanley became Lord Chamberlain
Jasper Tudor was made Duke of Bedford
Morton was made Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellor
What measures did HVII take to ensure loyalty and punish those who had opposed him?
Dated his reign from the day before Bosworth, allowing him to treat RIII’s supporters as traitors
Imprisoned Yorkists with a better claim to the throne, e.g. Warwick
Stripped suspect nobles of lands and titles
Showed leniency to win the gratitude and possibly support of key families
