Henry VII's position on the throne Flashcards
Who had the strongest claim to the throne?
Elizabeth of York
What was the wars of the roses?
A period of civil war that occurred before the Tudors caused by economic and financial pressures between the Yorkist and Lancastrian factions
What is the signficance of the Battle of Bosworth in 1485?
It ended the Wars of the Roses
How was the Battle of Bosworth an advantage to Henry?
It divided the Yorkists as Richard III was not popular with all Yorkists, Henry played on Richard being a murderer and many Yorkists had been killed in battle
What made Henry’s early years so insecure?
The fact that he was a usurper
What is Bastard Feudalism?
Could ensure stability/instability, temporary financial payments to nobles although it could give nobles too much power
Where did Henry VII’s claim come from?
The female line, Margaret Beaufort who was the only surviving child of Edward III’s children
Why was Henry VII’s claim made stronger in 1471?
Edward Prince of Wales died and the Earl of Warwick was in the tower
Why was it an issue that Henry’s claim was through his mother?
It was a female line which was frowned upon and there were questions over the legitmacy of her family as they had only been made legitmate again in the 14th Century
Why was it made difficult for Henry due to him being a usurper?
It reminded challengers that they could be successful in usurping should they want to usurp Henry
Why was Henry VII seen as an outsider and not fit for king?
He had spent a lot of time in exile abroad and was seen not to be competant
What caused the wars of the roses?
Weak character of Henry VI, faction tensions, defeat in the Hundred Years War, economic and fincancial pressures, changes in the balance of power between the king and nobility due to BF
How did relations between the king and the nobility cause problems in medieval England?
Bastard feudalism gave nobles more power as they could take the law into their own hands with their own private armies
Why did Henry predate his reign?
He decided it would be on the 21st of Aug 1485 instead of the 22nd as it would mean Richard usurped him
Why did Henry marry Elizabeth of York?
In order to get the Yorkist opponants of Richard III on his side
Why did Henry need the backing of the pope to be king?
So that he could be recognised as king by the church
Why did Henry need to have children with Elizabeth of York?
To secure the succession with direct heirs that could be welcomed to throne as they would have both Yorkist and Lancastrian blood
Why did Henry take progress?
It shows people that he is the king and that he is not afraid - especially in the North
Why did Henry get crowned king before he married Elizabeth?
To show that he was king in his own right and not due to Elizabeth’s claim, he delayed her coronation for 2 years
When did Henry call his first parliament and why?
7 Nov 1485 to represent his kingship
How did Henry reward Jaspar Tudor, his uncle?
He became Duke of Bedford as he was too old to have children and was unlikely to be a threat to the throne
How did Henry reward Thomas, Lord Stanley, his stepfather?
He was created Earl of Derby
Why did Henry make Sir Thomas Lovell Chancellor of the Exchequer?
Because he had rebelled against Richard in 1483
Why did the Earl of Warwick (in the tower) have a stronger claim?
He was the nephew of Edward IV and Richard III, but he was only 10 years old which made him easier to imprison
Why did Edward and Richard (princes of the tower) havea strong claim?
They were the children of Edward IV but had disappeared
Why weren’t Edward IV’s daughters a threat?
They were female so couldn’t rule in their own right
What impact did the Battle of Bosworth have?
Richard was dead so therefore couldn’t take back the throne
What was the titulus regious that Henry cancelled?
A declaration that Edward IV’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville was invalid, it made Elizabeth of York legit
What did the Act of Resumption in 1486 do?
Secured the finances - recovered all property that had been given away since 1455
What did he make the houses of lords and commons do?
Not recruit armies illegally
