Henry VII exam questions

Question 1

assess reasons why henrys VII position as king is so weak

Answer 1

ultimately weak due to existing yorkist opposition in postwar of roses society Lancastrian claim would have been opposed by anyone. Weak bloodline and years in exile became instruments on which Yorkist opposition would exploit and play to drive up popular support against henry.

Question 2

Yorkists opposition

Answer 2

CA - use of pretenders = many yorkist claims dead so not a serious threat BUT yorkist families e.g. de la poles existed

Question 3

years in exile

Answer 3

-Lancastrians defeat at Tewkesbury 1471 = in exile
-lack of finances - needed to defeat rebellions
CA-

Question 4

weak bloodline

Answer 4

-mother Margaret Beaufort descends from an illegitimate bloodline from Edward III- john of gaunt + Catherine Swinford not married
CA- children legitimized by parliament in Margaret Beaufort BUT this would mean little to Yorkist opposition who used the existence of bastardy as tool
-mother = french princess = married to Henry V before Owen Tudor

Question 5

to what extent was henry able to strengthen his position as king by the end of 1486

Answer 5

dynasty granted an air of permanence
ultimately weakness of Yorkists, which allowed for a scene in which birth of arthue + uniting of houses could take significance and henry’s skill could be used to thrive

Question 6

immediate - marriage = parliament + Arthur

Answer 6

• papal dispensation(pope innocent) to marry Elizabeth of york
• not only support from pope - major power BUT also uniting houses + setting new tudor dynasty
• coronation 30 October before first parliament - showed became king on own terms + started date of reign before Bosworth
• 1486 September Arthur born at Winchester - reminder of countries great past

Question 7

weakness Yorkists

Answer 7

many Yorkist claims dead
-lovell + Stafford (supporters Richard) 40 days in colchester - Henry April 1486 north + Lovell ambush Henry + Stafford went to Worcester in west
-stafford forcibly removed + sent to tower
-no support Humphrey executed + rest pardoned
CA - more serious threats had to plan rebellion and support

Question 8

henry skill

Answer 8

• backdated reign to before Bosworth
• acted quickly to ensure his options seemed strong
• gave Yorkists e.g. duke of northumberland to control north, power in order to prevent any large uprising
• ‘calculated mercy’