‘Henry VII’s consolidation of power in the years 1485-199 was the result of his personal strengths’. Explain why you agree or disagree with this view Flashcards
Introduction:
- No he had no personal strength due to weak claim to throne
- Consolidation of power due to other factors he rapidly had to implement to lead to security
His own strengths:
- Origins as king
- Actions at the start - due to lack of OWN strength
Other factors:
- Claim to throne were weak
- Marriage Alliances with more influential powers
Treaty of Medina Del Campo (1489)
Princess Margaret - Using finances to control nobility
Crown Lands
Acts of Attainder
Bonds + Recognisances
Conclusion:
- Overall consolidation of personal power was due very little to his own personal strength
- All subsequent actions taken by him were TO strengthen himself
- This is why attacks e.g. pretenders were such a threat = his hold on the throne was weak
Argument 1: His own strengths (Origins as King)
- Wars between Y+L meant that greater nobility were engaged in mutual destruction
- Death of noble heirs allowed their lands to be returned to the crown
- Gentry / merchants / land owners became tired of the disruption
- Change in political power brought support of the recovery of royal power
- Adult who had proven himself as a leader and successful soldier - less opposition
- Odd welsh origins and years of exile = few personal enemies in high places
- Only child with no fear of family rivalry
Argument 2: His own strengths (Actions at the start)
- due to lack of OWN strength
- From 21st August 1485 - day before the Battle of Bosworth - anyone fought on Yorkist side = traitor
- Publicly rewarded may of his key supporters = 11 knighthoods
- Arranged for supporters to detain Elizabeth of York + Earl of Warwick - greater claim to the throne
Daughter + nephew of Edward IV - Coronation to take place on 30th October before meeting his first parliament on 7th November
Right to parliament = heredity and not only because parliament had sanctioned it - January 1486: married Elizabeth of York
after everything - henry was able to ensure his consolidation not brought about by wife’s own claim
Argument 3, other factors: Using finances to control nobility.
ACTS OF ATTAINDER
- family losing the right to possess its land and attended familied would lose right to inherit its land
- reversible by good behaviour e.g.- passed 138 but reversed 42 / 9 passed against nobles
- Thomas Tyrrell - pay £1738 for reversal of him and father attainment: less noble thus more harsh
BONDS + RECOGNIZANCES
- Bonds: written agreement in which a sum of money payed if failed a promise
Recognizances: formal acknowledgment of debt that already existed
- Guaranteeing good behaviours and keeps peace towards fellow subjects
- Thomas Grey - not trusted - support Richard in 1485: 1492 required to transfer all lands but 2 to trustees
- ‘terrifying system of suspended penalties’
CROWN LANDS - INCENTIVE
- policy of bring back as much land as possible to the crown / land in 15th century = power
- 1486: act of resumption - removed all propertied granted away since before WotR (1455).
- JJ Gunn: estimates that the amount of crown land was x5 larger by latter years of reign
Argument 4: Marriage Alliances
- Marriage alliances = essential to international diplomacy + foreign policy during this point in history
- All monarchs saw marriage alliances as a way to increase their powers and influence
- Henry VII: marriage alliances were a way to bring about dynastic security
TREATY OF MEDINA DEL CAMPO
- Gave international peace + security: Mutual protection + agreed not to harbour rebels of pretenders
- Marriage alliance between Prince Arthur of Wales + Princess Catherine of Aragon
PRINCESS MARGARET
- James IV of Scotland and her married in 1503 sanctioned by Treaty of Perpetual Peace
- Objectives: Strengthen alliances with Scotland + weakened Warbeck’s threat to Henry’s throne
- Overall: successful marriage + Warbeck executed 1499 as James had no diplomatic use for him
