Henry VII- unrest in the early years of his rule

Question 1

What was Henry VII’s claim to the throne?

Answer 1

Mother- Margaret Beaufort, descendant of Edward III by marriage of his 3rd son John of Gaunt, to Catherine Swynford. Only legitimised later- Catherine was John’s mistress
Father- His father’s mother (grandmother) was a french princess who had been married to Henry V before marrying Owen Tudor, Henry’s grandfather
REAL CLAIM through winning in the Battle of Bosworth against Richard III

Question 2

What were the issues that faced Henry’s claim to throne?

Answer 2

Likely to be challenged by Yorkist claimants who had seen their king killed at bosworth

Question 3

Why was Henry’s position weak?

Answer 3

• Spent 14 years in exile after Lancastrians were defeated in Tewkesbury in 1471- largely unknown, people may have thought his reign wouldn’t last
• Earl of Warwick and John de la Pole still alive with arguably a similar or better claim to the throne

Question 4

Why was Henry’s position strong (without implementations put in place to strengthen in)

Answer 4

• Richard III largely unpopular (due to rumours he killed ‘Princes in Tower’ to come to power)
• Country wanted peace and stability if Henry could offer it after the Wars of the Roses
• Many Yorkists with a better claim were dead as a result of the war (shown by use of pretenders)
• Henry hadn’t depended on noble family to take throne

Question 5

What action did Henry take to strengthen his position ?

Answer 5

• Dated start of reign to day before Bosworth- anyone who had fought against him could be tried for treason (including having wealth taken)
• Coronation organised for before parliament could meet, so it couldn’t be claimed he was only King because of them
• Papal dispensation to marry Elizabeth of York, to unite the houses- this marriage took place after he was crowned, his wife couldn’t solely claim the throne
• Gave some Yorkists second chance- Duke of Northumberland restored to his position in the North, encouraging Yorkist support.
• Eliminated Earl of Warwick threat by sending him to tower, and JDLP invited to join King’s Council (where he could be kept an eye on)

Question 6

How did the LC originate?

Answer 6

Dissatisfied Yorkists who supported Richard (Lovell and Stafford) attempted to raise rebellion in north and midland spring of 1486

Question 7

How far was the Lovell conspiracy a serious threat?

Answer 7

• Unrest within a year of Henry taking the throne

- Seemed a threat at the time

Question 8

How far was the Lovell conspiracy NOT a serious threat?

Answer 8

-Henry heard of plot through spies and sent armed forces to offer pardon or death
-Rebels dispersed- Stafford arrested, Humphrey executed and Thomas pardoned (remained loyal)
-Rebellion in Wales also easily put down by Thomas, supporter of Henry at Bosworth
REBELLION DIDN’T PREVENT ROYAL PROGRESS AND VISIT TO NORTH HELPED HENRY WIN LOYALTY AND OBEDIENCE IN YORKIST AREAS

Question 9

Why did Yorkshire rebel?

Answer 9

Result of Henry’s attempts to raise money to aid Brittany in its struggle against France
Yorkshire had bad harvest in 1488 and were annoyed they weren’t exempt from the tax other northern counties were. They didn’t care about problem of France, as only southerly counties were truly threatened due to risk of invasion.

Question 10

How much of a threat was the Yorkshire rebellion?

Answer 10

+Henry refused to negotiate, Duke of Northumberland executed when he attempted to collect the tax- showed success of rebellion
+Money was never collected- clear sign that the north required compromise, as royal authority was easily challenged
+Henry had to appoint Earl of Surrey, with no vested interests, as representative in the North to ensure maintained loyalty

Question 11

Why did the cornish rebel?

Answer 11

Taxation once again- threat from Scotland who aided Warbeck and sought to invade northern England. Cornish had little interest as they were nowhere near north, didn;t see why they should pay.

Question 12

Cornish rebellion events

Answer 12

Rebels assembled at Bodmin, numbers swelled. When they reached Devon, support declined, back up at Somerset.
15k supporters, some cross-class support. Numbers declined as they drew closer to London. Demands against tax counsellors, rather than the king himself.
Crushed by 15k strong Henry Army at Blackheath in 1547.

Question 13

How much of a threat was the Cornish rebellion?

Answer 13

\+15k supporters, cross-class support
-Henry's actions of putting down rebellion with force (unlike Simnel) shows he was not prepared to give the rebels a second chance)
\+Cornish rebellion suggested loyalty to Henry was still limited 12 years into his reign