Henry VII: Consolidation of Power Flashcards
Henry VII’s rise to the throne
He established the Tudor dynasty after his victory at the Battle of Bosworth in August 1485. He had a weak claim to the throne - he was the Lancastrian claimant simply because there was no one else. He was welcomed to the throne by the people simply because he was not Richard III.
How he kept the throne in his possession
He first dated his reign from before the Battle of Bosworth so he could declare those on the losing side traitors, he rewarded his supporters (gave out 11 knighthoods), he detained members of the Yorkist family and made key appointments to his Council and household.
Securing his right to the throne
He arranged his coronation to take place before his first parliament to show that he ruled by right. He passes Acts of Attainder, he was granted tonnage and poundage for life, he married Elizabeth of York to unite the roses of Lancaster and York and his claim was further consolidated by the birth of his son, Prince Arthur.
What were the 4 main challenges to his rule?
- Viscount Lovell and the Staffords
- Lambert Simnel and the Earl of Lincoln
- Perkin Warbeck
- The ‘White Rose’
Viscount Lovell and the Staffords
This was a minor uprising led by Francis, Viscount Lovell and Humphrey Stafford. Lovell tried to raise a rebellion in Yorkshire and Stafford tried to do the same in the Midlands - both these areas were heartlands of Yorkist support. The rising failed due to a lack of support. Lovell escaped but Stafford was executed.
Lambert Simnel and the Earl of Lincoln
Simnel was passed off as the Earl of Warwick (Edward IV’s nephew). This was led by John de la Pole, the Earl of Lincoln. Henry reacted calmly and simply displayed the real Warwick who was detained in the Tower of London. Lincoln fled to the Netherlands to join Lovell. They persuaded Margaret of Burgundy to give them money to invade England. Henry reacted swiftly. He put the Earl of Northumberland (a supporter of Richard) in charge of the north. However, it ensured that the north would have no reason to rebel as one of their own was back in control. The rebels landed in England and tried to gain support. Henry gathered his army at East Stoke in Nottinghamshire to face the rebels. He was victorious and punished many of the rebels mildly. This was a sensible policy as it stopped Yorkist grievances and made him more popular with Yorkist supporters.
Perkin Warbeck
He was a cloth trader from Flanders who claimed to be Richard, Duke of York. In Burgundy, he claimed the support of Margaret. He was trained as a potential Yorkist Prince and received support from English courtiers. His first attempt to land in England in 1495 failed - Henry was ready for Warbeck who had to flee to Scotland. One of the conspirators in this first attempt was Sir William Stanley who headed the royal household at the time. In 1496, a small Scottish force crossed the border on Warbeck’s behalf but soon retreated. His final attempt to seize power came with him trying to exploit the Cornish rebellion in 1497. He was executed 2 years later.
The ‘White Rose’
The final potential challenge was through the younger brothers of John de la Pole. Edmund, Earl of Suffolk, had been in exile but was returned to England in the Tower of London. He was eventually executed in 1513. Richard was killed in battle in 1525. This ended any further potential Yorkist claims.
1485
- Henry takes the throne following the Battle of Bosworth
- Henry has his first parliament
1486
- Henry marries Elizabeth of York
- Lovell Rebellion
- Birth of Prince Arthur
1487
- Imposture of Lambert Simnel
- Defeat of Earl of Lincoln at the Battle of Stoke
1489
- Murder of Earl of Northumberland
- Yorkshire Rising
1497
- Cornish Rising
- Surrender of Warbeck
1499
- Executions of Earl of Warwick and of Warbeck
