Henry VII- consolidation of power

Question 1

how was Henry VII able to seize the throne?

Answer 1

the unpopularity of Yorkist King Richard III allowed Henry to seize the throne at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. However his claim to the throne was weak

Question 2

why was Henry’s claim to the throne weak?

Answer 2

• he was descended through female line (his mother)
• Henry was the Lancastrian claimant only because there was no other suitable candidate
• the Beaufort line came from John of Gaunt’s third wife; their son had been born before their marriage so many considered him illegitimate

Question 3

what were the first years of Henry’s reign characterised by?

Answer 3

insecurity and fears of a potential Yorkist challenge

Question 4

what was H7’s character like?

Answer 4

he was shrewd, calculating and self-restrained- all characteristics shaped by his life as a fugitive

Question 5

what were H7 main aims?

Answer 5

• from 1585 his main aim was to consolidate power in order to keep his throne. Accomplished through both military and political success
• also to establish his dynasty and retain his throne
• reduce the power of the nobles who had used previous periods of instability to enhance their own authority
• improve the crowns financial position and secure recognition of foreign powers

Question 6

when and what was the threat from Lovell and the Staffords?

Answer 6

1486

• minor rising led by Viscount Lovell (Yorkshire) and Humphrey and Thomas Stafford
• attracted little support and was easily suppressed
• Lovell escaped to Burgundy; Humphrey was captured and executed

Question 7

what was the significance of the Lovell and Stafford uprising?

Answer 7

it showed there was little support for a Yorkist uprising at this point in time

Question 8

when and what was the Lambert Simnel and Earl of Lincoln rebellion?

Answer 8

1487- Yorkist conspiracy arranged by the Earl of Lincoln, using Lambert Simnel as a figurehead:

• Simnel impersonated Earl of Warwick, and was crowned as King Edward in Ireland May 1487
• Henry exhibited the real Earl of Warwick in London
• Lincoln fled to the court of MoB to join Lovell; they persuaded MoB to support Simnel and pay for mercenaries to invade England
• H7 neutralised Yorkist support in the north by reinstating the Earl of Northumberland, a traditional Yorkist supporter
• rebels landed on NW coast but failed to attract followers
• H7’s army defeated the mercenary army at Stoke Field June 1487- Earl of Lincoln killed

Question 9

why was Henry able to survive Lambert Simnel rebellion?

Answer 9

• his own shrewdness and hard work
• organisational skills and military leadership of his key supporters
• willingness of landowners to support his cause
• he had the Earl of Warwick imprisoned already

Question 10

when and what was the Perkin Warbeck imposture?

Answer 10

1491-1499- imposture of a cloth trader from Flanders, who claimed to be Richard, Duke of York (one of Edward IV’s sons, and one of the two murdered ‘princes in the tower’:

• 1491- Warbeck began to impersonate Duke of York in Ireland
• 1492- he fled to court of MoB
• 1495- attempted to land in England, but was quickly defeated and fled to the court of James IV of Scotland
• 1496- he tried to invade Scotland with a small Scottish force but soon retreated as James IV agreed to marry Henry’s daughter Margaret
• he tried to claim throne by exploiting the Cornish rebellion but his forces were crushed
• 1499- tried and executed along with Earl of Warwick

Question 11

what was the significance of the Simnel rebellion?

Answer 11

this battle effectively ended the Wars of the Roses and Henry’s position became safe, though not completely secure

Question 12

what was the significance of the Warbeck rebellion?

Answer 12

• patronage from foreign rulers made Warbeck a potential serious threat and demonstrated how fragile Henry’s position was considered to be by other rulers
• the involvement of Sir William Stanley (Henry’s step uncle) and Lord Chamberlain showed how vulnerable Henry was even within his own household

Question 13

what was the significance of the imprisonment of Suffolk in 1506?

Answer 13

it effectively eliminated the remaining threats, leaving only Richard de la Pole at large in exile. Almost all threats successfully defeated by 1506

Question 14

In which ways did Henry consolidate power?

Answer 14

• dated reign before battle of Bosworth- 21st August 1485
• demonstrated he had a hereditary right to the throne
• acts of attainder ensuring Yorkist property was forfeited to the crown

Question 15

How did Henry control the nobility?

Answer 15

• acts of attainder
• bonds and recognisances
• dictating marriages