Henry VII - Consolidation of Power

Question 1

How did Henry Tudor become king?

Answer 1

He became King of England following his victory over Richard III’s forces at the Battle of Bosworth

Question 2

When did Henry defeat Richard III?

Answer 2

22nd August 1485

Question 3

Why was Henry’s claim to the throne weak?

Answer 3

• He was descended through the female line represented by his mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort
• The Line came from John of Gaunt’s third wife; their son John Beaufort had been born before their marriage and was therefore seen as illegitimate. So Henry became the Lancastrian line because there was nobody else
• He became King due to his victory at a battle and not from descending into it

Question 4

Who proclaimed Henry the King of England on the Battlefield?

Answer 4

Lord Stanley

Question 5

When did Henry live abroad until?

Answer 5

Until he was 14

Question 6

Why were the public so willing to accept him?

Answer 6

Richard III was under a lot of suspicion due to the princes in the Tower and many other presumed crimes. The idea that Richard III was no longer the monarch was enough

Question 7

Had Henry been brought up to rule?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

What was Henry’s main purpose from 1485?

Answer 8

To ensure that he kept his throne

Question 9

How did Henry immediately consolidate his power? (8 points)

Answer 9

• He dated his reign from 21st August 1485, the day before the battle of Bosworth, this ensured that anybody who fought on the Yorkist side would be seen as a traitor
• He publicly rewarded many of his key supporters
• He arranged for supporters to detain Elizabeth of York and the Earl of Warwick, each whom could have been seen as having a greater claim to the throne
• He made key appointments to his council and household
• Arranged for his Coronation to be before he first met with Parliament
• Had Parliamentary Acts of Attainder against Yorkists who had fought at Bosworth
• He married Elizabeth of York
• The birth of Prince Arthur

Question 10

Who was Elizabeth of York in relation to Edward IV?

Answer 10

His daughter

Question 11

Who was the Earl of Warwick in relation to Edward IV?

Answer 11

His nephew

Question 12

What are examples of Henry VII giving appointments to his Council and household?

Answer 12

• He made Sir Reginald Bray the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
• He made Sir William Stanley the Chamberlain of the Household

Question 13

When did Henry arrange for his Coronation to take place?

Answer 13

October 30th 1485

Question 14

When did Henry meet his first Parliament?

Answer 14

November 7th 1485

Question 15

Why did Henry arrange his Coronation before meeting Parliament?

Answer 15

This demonstrated that his right to the throne was based on hereditary right and not only because Parliament had sanctioned it.

Question 16

What was the Act of Attainder?

Answer 16

This declared a landowner guilty of rebelling against a monarch; the attained noble lost his title, land and sometimes head. His heirs were disinherited.

Question 17

How did the Act of Attainder against the Yorkists help Henry?

Answer 17

It increased royal income and this was further enhanced when Parliament granted Henry the customs revenues of tonnage and poundage for life.

Question 18

What was tonnage and poundage?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

When did Henry marry Elizabeth of York?

Answer 19

January 1486

Question 20

Why did Henry wait to marry Elizabeth of York and why did he marry her at all?

Answer 20

By waiting until the other steps of consolidation was complete, it meant Henry was able to ensure that his assumption of the Crown was not brought about by his wife’s own claim to the throne. He married her as it created a union between the Yorkist and Lancastrian houses. Forming the Tudor Rose.

Question 21

When was Prince Arthur born?

Answer 21

September 1489

Question 22

Why was Prince Arthur’s birth significant?

Answer 22

It meant that Henry had an heir to the throne and it would be unlikely that the crown would be taken over after his reign.