Henry VII

Question 1

Ascension

Answer 1

• Spent childhood in exile in Brittany, France after Lancastrian defeat in 1471
• Claim through mother, Margaret Beaufort, whose great grandfather was John of Gaunt married to Catherine Swynford. Marriage legitimised on condition that any descendants would not use it to claim the throne, weak claim by Henry VII
• Beat Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485

Question 2

How did Henry VII consolidate his power?

Answer 2

• Keeping nobility in check
• Securing the dynasty
• Foreign affairs

Question 3

Keeping the nobility in check

Answer 3

• Power had increased over 15th century
• Nobles such as Richard Neville were influential in deposition of Henry VI and Edward IV
• Imposed strict system of Bonds and Recognisances: Nobility swore loyalty and if they disobeyed the crown they would have a hefty fine imposed. Some nobles may have to get others to sign surety bonds (the principal/noble fail to pay the obligee/king, and the surety bond covers it) creating network of bonds and recognisances
• Bonds/recognisances were controlled by the Council Learned in the Law who ensured King received all finances owed to him

Question 4

Securing the dynasty

Answer 4

• United houses of Lancaster (Henry’s side) and York with marriage to Elizabeth of York

Question 5

Challenges to security of crown

Answer 5

• Lambert Simnel (1487): pretended to be the Earl of Warwick with a better claim to the throne than Henry. Real Warwick in tower but Yorkist sympathisers rallied to challenge Henry. Henry defeated Yorkist army at Stoke in 1487
• Perkin Warbeck (1491-99): Yorkists claimed him to be Richard of York, second son of Edward VI. Supported by Ireland, HRE, James IV of Scotland. Executed 1499
• Dangerous Yorkist claims by Edmund de la Pole (Earl of Suffolk) - imprisoned - and his brother Richard - at large in Europe.

Question 6

Foreign policy

Answer 6

• Little activity, warfare was expensive, Englands resources were challenged following War of the Roses and Henry had to secure his own throne.
• One expedition to France in 1491. Attained pension from French King and promise that France would not support Yorkist rebels. Saved some face after loss of Breton (Brittany) to French in 1491
• Creation of marriage alliances, significantly marriage of Catherine of Aragon to Arthur, eldest son of Henry (Anglo-Spanish alliance)
• Prince Arthur dies 1502 5 months after marriage. Catherine betrothed to 12 y/o Henry in 1503. Not married for another 6 years.
• Catherine “diplomatic pawn” for father (Ferdinand/Henry VII)

Question 7

Henry should be grateful to father because…

Answer 7

• Healthy finances
• Authority of crown restored
• Anglo/Spanish alliance with marriage
• Largely order across England, Yorkist rebellions crushed

Question 8

How can we know that Henry VII would be different from his father

Answer 8

• foreign policy: little interest in paper work or administration. Higher aspirations of re asserting claim to throne if France. William Warham/Richard Fox try to convince Henry to be cautious. Foreign policy would not be like father but Henry knew England could not sustain military campaign
• Richard Empson+ Edmund Dudley arrested in 1509 and executed 1510. They had antagonised nobility in court of the learned. Henry evidently ruthless
• Anglo Spanish alliance ready to invade France. More active in foreign affairs

Question 9

Characteristics of a 16th century king

Answer 9

• Renaissance king in keeping with birth of Renaissance movement in Europe
• Able to dictate policy to parliament/ministers
• Able to maintain law and order. Complete loyalty, collection of taxes and ability to raise army
• Good servant of church, as church was peer of monarchical authority. Reject heathen in Europe and heresy
• Foreign policy, continental wars and expeditions
• Reflect strength through court, patron of the arts