Henry VII - Consolidation of power

Question 1

When did he become king?

Answer 1

22 August 1485 after the battle of Bosworth

Question 2

Why was his claim to the throne weak?

Answer 2

He descended through his mother’s line.
John Beaufort was born before his parents were married, so he was considered illegitimate.

Question 3

Who was Thomas, Lord Stanley?

Answer 3

Henry’s stepfather - intervention helped win the battle of Bosworth. Rewarded by becoming the Earl of Derby.

Question 4

Was he fit to rule?

Answer 4

Was not brought up to rule. Went into exile when he was fourteen - gave him political training.

Question 5

What were some of his characteristics?

Answer 5

Never overcome by passion
Eager for money
High intelligence and determination

Question 6

What was his main purpose after taking the throne?

Answer 6

To ensure he kept his power

Question 7

How did he consolidate his power?

Answer 7

Dated his reign as the day before the battle of Bosworth - 21 August
Rewarded key supporters - 11 knighthoods
Detained Earl of Warwick
Coronation 30 October - week before first parliament meeting.

Question 8

When and who did he marry?

Answer 8

He married Elizabeth of York in January 1486.
Gave birth to Arthur in September.

Question 9

Who was the Earl of Warwick?

Answer 9

1475 - 99
Placed in Tower of London 1485
Alleged to have plotted with Perkin Warbeck and was beheaded for doing so

Question 10

Who was Sir William Stanley?

Answer 10

1435 - 95
Brother of Thomas Stanley
Rewarded with the post of Lord Chamberlain.
Had considerable influence and developed his landed estate in Cheshire and North Wales.
Was later accused of treason.

Question 11

What were parliamentary sanctions?

Answer 11

Official confirmations or ratifications of laws given by parliament as the acclaimed body of the state.

Question 12

What were Acts of Attainder?

Answer 12

If a landowner was declared guilty of rebelling against the monarchy, the noble lost his title, lands (sometimes his head), and his heirs were disinherited.

Question 13

What was tonnage and poundage?

Answer 13

The right to raise revenue for the whole reign from imports and exports.

Question 14

Who posed the biggest threat?

Answer 14

Margaret of Burgundy as she had access to funds that could help potential Yorkist claimants.

Question 15

What was the Viscount Lovell and the Stafford’s uprising?

Answer 15

1486 - Viscount Lovell and Humphrey Stafford (supporters of Richard III) tried to raise a rebellion in Yorkshire.
Lovell managed to escape but Stafford was executed.
Little enthusiasm for a rebellion.

Question 16

What did the Yorkists realise they needed to do to get rid of Henry?

Answer 16

They needed a figurehead who could claim to be a Yorkist prince and financial support.

Question 17

Who was Lambert Simnel?

Answer 17

Being passed off as the Earl of Warwick
Rebellion put together by John de la Pole.
Henry put real Earl of Warwick on display in response.
Fled to Margaret of Burgundy and persuaded her to pay for a force of mercenaries.

Question 18

How did Henry respond to the plan of Lambert Simnel’s rebellion?

Answer 18

Reinstated untrustworthy Earl of Northumberland to neutralise Richard’s old power base and ensure Yorkist Howard family did not join the conspiracy.

Question 19

What happened in the Battle of Stoke Field?

Answer 19

1487 - Henry gathered group of advisors.
Army led by Earl of Oxford.
Two armies met at East Stoke near Newark.
Army killed John de la Pole.
Simnel was captured and given a job in the royal kitchens.
The mercenaries were not able to add followers.

Question 20

What were bonds of good behaviour?

Answer 20

Henry saw himself as owning the lump sum given to the landowners in bonds. The sum did not have to be paid back provided the condition (usually good behaviour) was observed. If the condition was broken, the sum had to be paid back.

Question 21

What was the Perkin Warbeck imposture?

Answer 21

1491 - Warbeck impersonated Richard, Duke of York - he fled to Margaret Burgundy.
Warbeck came to England in 1495, but quickly fled to Scotland.
1496 - small force crossed the border but retreated
Tried to exploit uncertainties created by Cornish rebellion, but forces were crushed.
Henry allowed him to stay in court, but he absconded and was accused of treason.

Question 22

What was the household government?

Answer 22

Medieval system of governance where the head of the household had authority over the property, labour and mobility of everyone living in his land.

Question 23

What happened to Edmund de la Pole?

Answer 23

Fled to Flanders in 1498
Returned after short exile
Fled in 1501 to court of Maximillian
Treaty of Windsor in 1506 improved relations so Maximilliam gave him up.
Imprisoned in tower
Executed in 1513 by Henry VIII

Question 24

What happened to Richard de la Pole?

Answer 24

White Rose at large during his time in exile.
Killed fighting French forces in Battle of Pavia 1525.