Henry VII Part 1: Immediate problems on becoming king.

Question 1

Did Henry VII have a strong claim to the throne? (1)

Why? (3)

Answer 1

1. NO
2. WEAKEST claim since William the Conqueror!
3. claim was through an ILLEGITIMATE line, so was technically barred from the throne
4. many OTHERS thought they had a stronger claim to the throne.

Question 2

Describe who else had a claim to the throne (4+4)

Answer 2

1. EDWARD, EARL OF WARWICK (nephew of Richard III and Edward IV).
2. JOHN DE LA POLE, EARL OF LINCOLN (nephew of Richard III and Edward IV). He had been nominated by Richard III as his heir.
3. EDMUND DE LA POLE (nephew of Richard III and Edward IV)
4. THE PRINCES IN THE TOWER (Edward V and his brother, Richard). Although these were probably dead already by the time Henry VII came to power.

Question 3

What were Henry VII’s main PROBLEMS? (8)

Answer 3

1. YORKISTS still had support
2. Many of the barons/nobles still had ARMIES
3. The CROWN’S TREASURY was nearly empty
4. England did not enjoy good relations with many of the countries of EUROPE.
5. English TRADE had suffered badly during Wars of Roses, and badly needed help
6. SPAIN was becoming a major power in Europe, and so a threat to England.
7. LACK of ORDER and PEACE, due to the greedy, selfish, fickle nobles.
8. Henry VII’s was a “NEW MONARCHY”. In many cases he would have to take these nobles on by force and bullyboy tactics.

Question 4

Describe main sources of Yorkist threat to Henry VII’s throne? (3)

Answer 4

1. Yorkist still had support in the NORTH of ENGLAND and in IRELAND
2. Had a powerful ally in Richard III’s sister Margaret (dowager duchess of Burgundy).

This made it INEVITABLE that other claimants would crop up and challenge Henry VII in the future.

Question 5

What is a DOWAGER? (1)

Answer 5

A widow with a title or property derived from her late husband.

Question 6

What is a RETAINER? (1)

Answer 6

The term used to describe the salaried soldiers/armies “retained” by noblemen to fight on their behalf.

[BACKGROUND: Retaining was a problem that had haunted kings for some time and was sometimes referred to as livery or maintenance. Livery was the giving of a uniform or badge to a follower and maintenance was the protection of a retainer’s interests. Retaining was where great lords recruited those of a lower social status as their followers or servants and a retainer’s job was to advance their lord’s position within the land and this included the use of arms if this was felt necessary.]

Question 7

Did it help the new king (Henry VII) that his noblemen had armies? (2)

Answer 7

No. It undermined the king’s power if his barons had strong armies (OVER-MIGHTY SUBJECTS) - it would make it difficult for him to force them to do his will if they disagreed with him. These armed noblemen had caused problems for Monarchs before Henry VII (including Richard III!).

Question 8

Why was the new Henry VII’s TREASURY nearly empty? (2)

Answer 8

Because of the cost of the 100 Years War, and the subsequent Wars of the Roses.

Question 9

Why did England not enjoy good relations with many of the countries in Europe? (2)

Answer 9

• constant threat of INVASION on behalf of the Yorkists (1)

- European Monarchs doubted Henry VII’s ability to survive, so most were WILLING TO HELP HENRY’S OPPONENTS (1)

Question 10

Why was Spain becoming so wealthy? (2)

Answer 10

She was successfully developing an EMPIRE in the NEW WORLD (Central and South America and Caribbean).

Question 11

What does fickle mean? (1)

Answer 11

Changing frequently, esp. as regards one’s loyalties, interests, or affection.

Question 12

When was Battle of Bosworth?

Answer 12

Fought on 22 August, 1485.