Henry VII - Establishment and Consolidation of Dynasty

Question 1

How did Henry VII establish and consolidate his dynasty in the short-term?
[3]

Answer 1

1. Declared that his reign began on 21st August 1485, day before Battle of Bosworth therefore Richard and his supporters could be declared traitors. [Act of Attainders]
2. Henry’s coronation was on the 30th of October 1485, he arranged his coronation before the first meeing of parliament so that his ascension was not seen as a parliamentry decision.
3. Made 11 new Knights of the Garter on the Battlefield.

Question 2

How did Henry VII establish and consolidate his dynasty in the long-term?
[5]

Answer 2

1. Married Elizabeth of York, the daughter of Edward IV to unite the houses of York and Lancaster. Dissauding Yorkists from opposing him.
2. Bore an heir from his marriage in September on 1486.
3. Acts of Attainders enforced law on the Nobility + Finances.
4. Tunnage and Poundage created income
5. Act of Resumption gained land for the Crown. (Income / Royal Authority)

Question 3

How did Henry VII use propaganda to consolidate / establish his dynasty?

Answer 3

1. He named his first born son after the legendary English defender- Arthur,
2. Beuafort Family Embelem -
3. Tudor Rose
4. Fought under the Red Dragon

Question 4

How did Henry secure his throne via Foreign Policy?

Answer 4

Henry had a defensive foreign policy, he used his diplomacy to conclude treaties with France, Spain and Scotland with each head of state agreeing to not aid any of the pretenders / Henry’s enemies.
Henry also used marriage as a diplomatic device to secure the succession.
* Medina Del Campo - 1489 - Catherine of Aragon + Arthur.
* Treaty of Ayton - 1497 - Princess Margaret of James IV of Scotland

Question 5

How did Henry deal with the domestic threat of Yorkist nobility?

Answer 5

• Executed Warbeck in 1499 for treason alongside Earl of Warwick for conspiracy.
• Earl of Lincoln was killed in the Battle of Stoke (1487) which brought the end of the War of the Roses.
• Other Yorkist nobility were executed, e.g the Staffords and Lovell.
• Some Yorkist nobility were pardoned such as the Earl of Northumberland and Thomas Howard (Earl of Surrey)