Henry VII 1485-1509 Flashcards
Unrest in early years of his reign
. Although Henry VII won Battle of Bosworth, didn’t mean he had support of country
. Henry’s claim to throne was weak
. Mother was Margaret Beaufort (descendent of Edward III by marriage of third son, John of Gaunt to Catherine Swynford)
. Children of the marriage born when Catherine was John’s mistress, been legitimised by parliament during reign of Richard III
. Henry had further royal blood as fathers mom was a french princess - married to Henry V before marrying Owen Tudor (Henrys grandfather)
How did Henry attempt to secure his position ?
Weak Position:
- dated start of his reign from day before Battle of Bosworth
^ those who fought against him traitors - estates seized, added to Kings wealth
Coronation:
- 30th Oct before parliament met - not King because of them
Papal Dispentation:
- Allowed to marry Elizabeth of York, distant cousin to untie Lancastrian and Yorkist side
- Marriage took place after Henry was crowned so couldn’t be argued he owed his crown to his wife
^ Still Yorkists that challenged
What factors threatened Henry’s position ?
Other Claimants:
- Two of Richards nephews: Earl of Warwick and Earl of Lincoln
. Warwick removed and sent to tower
. Lincoln professed loyalty, invited to join Kings council
Other supporters of Richard III:
- Earl of Surry in prison until 1489, Northumberland released end of 1485 - old position in control of the north
Exile:
- Largely unknown when won battle of Bosworth, spent 14yrs in France after battle of Tewksbury
^ Advantage: Country was at war, support king with peace and stability
Rebellions in the midlands and north
Involved: Lord Levell and the Stafford Brothers
Failed: Henry heard of plot and sent in armed force, offer rebels pardon/reconciliation or death
Result: rebels dispersed but Levell fled to Flanders and Staffords sought sanctuary but were arrested
^ Visit to the north helped win loyalty and obedience
Rebellions in Wales
Involved: Herbets and Vaughans (Yorkists)
Failed: Rebellion put down by Rhys ap Thomas
^Neither rebellion prevented royal progress
Taxation Rebellions
- Yorkshire Rebellion (1489)
. Raise money to aid Brittany in its struggle with France
. Parliament granted £100,000 but little was actually raised - Yorkshire annoyed
^ bad harvest in 1488 but other northern countries exempt from tax as expected to defend northern borders against Scottish attack
. Henry refused to negotiate
. Northumberland attempted to collect taxes but murdered
^ Rebellion led by Sir John Eglemont (Yorkist supporter)
Taxation Rebellions
- Cornish Rebellion (1497)
. Henry VII needed money - James IV of Scotland supported Warbeck to invade north of England
. Cornish had little interest, didn’t want to pay tax to fund war on northern borders
. Rebellion attracted 15,000 supporters - sign tax was unpopular
. Rebellion not a serious threat but showed he wasn’t giving them a second chance
^ Leaders tortured and executed, others heavily fined
Rebellions
Lambert Simnel
. Had support from Ireland (where Edward IV crowned) and Margaret of Burgundy
. Henry offered rebels pardon to parade real Earl of Warwick through London to prove Simnel was an imposter
. Earl of Lincoln joined the rebels
^ June 1487 met and Henry victorious
Rebellions
Perkin Warbeck
. Arrives in Ireland 1491 - probably plan by Charles II of France and Margaret of Burgundy
. Irish think Warbeck is Earl of Warwick - Richard III’s nephew but claims to be Richard, Duke of York (second son of Edward IV)
^ Can’t parade real Richard as he supposedly died in tower of London
. Unable to gain support in Ireland - welcomed in French court (1492 moved to Flanders due to Treaty of Etaples between France and England)
^ Had support from Burgundy - Henry broke off cloth trade
. Gains support from Maximillian, who recognised him as Richard IV, but lacked finances
How did Henry deal with Warbeck rebellion
. Spy network - passing series of attainders against the plotters
. Warbeck defeated 1495 - local militia, no need for royal army
. James IV of Scotland welcomes Warbeck but then abandons him for marriage between himself and Henry VII’s daughter Margaret
Nov 1497: Warbeck persuaded to give himself up - can’t charge as a foreigner so keeps him at court
1498: tries to run away - placed in Tower of London, rumours Warbeck and Warwick plotting together - both executed
How Henry VII reduced the power of the nobility
Acts of Attainder:
- Families lost right to possess land
- Henry more severe, often attaching special conditions to any reversals
^ Passed 9 attainders, reversed 5
- Effective = good behaviour and encouraged loyalty
Kings Great Council
- Membership = sign of trust
- Clever way of ensuring noble support, once policy had been agreed and nobility supported it, very difficult for them to criticise
Bonds and Recognises
- Written agreements: nobles who had offended King, either paid for the offence or paid money as security for future good behavior
- Effective: discouraging disloyal nobles as sums reached £100,000
- More severe as reign progressed, throughout reign 36/62 were involved
Strengthening central and local Government
- Over 200 councilors during reign
- Used smaller committees from within the council
- Drew advisors from lesser landowners, gentry or professional classes (lawyers)
How did Henry VII restore royal authority
- Earl of Surrey = Deputy in the North
- Council of the north defended northern border, administrative and judicial powers so law could be restored quickly
- Appointed council ministers to ensure control over councils
- Arthur was head of council of Wales
How effective was local government
(Justice of Peace)
Justice of Peace:
. implementing social and economic statuses
. upholding public order
. rewarding informers
. empower to grant bail
- Local officials were reluctant - made them unpopular
Successful ways Henry used his financial resources
Crown Lands:
.Maximised and increased amount of land crown held
> Act of Resumption
> Act of Attainder
. Income rose from £29,000 to £42,000 under Henry VII
Justice:
. Varied year to year, charged some subjects for crimes just to fine them
^ Often punished by fines
Feudal Dues:
. Fully exploited income from wardship, marriage, livery and relief
