Henry VII- Yorkist opposition

Question 1

Why were the rebellions of the pretenders so threatening?

Answer 1

It is unlikely the supporters of the ‘pretenders’ ever genuinely believed in the pretenders, however they were still able to raise support from yorkists and also from foreign powers who wanted to destabilise the country

Question 2

Simnel rebellion

Answer 2

• Claimed to be earl of warwick- came within a year of H on throne
• Raised support in oxford, then ireland where he was crowned Edward VI. Received support from Margaret of Burgundy- sent money and 2000 strong force
• Henry offered rebels pardon out of fear and paraded earl of warwick- however this didn’t stop rebellion
• Became serious June 1487, rebels marched south from Lancashire, failed to gain widespread support, numbered 8k however
• Rebel army faced Henry at stoke in june 1487. Henry won battle, victory took 3 hours

Question 3

How far was the Simnel rebellion a threat?

Answer 3

WAS
Within a year of Henry seizing throne
International support (MG- sister of Richard III)
Parading the real earl of warwick didn’t stop rebellion
Stoke battle viewed in a similar light to bosworth- fate of monarchy had been decided by battle, in a similar fashion. Very weak

WASN’T
Failed to gain widespread support in june- people fed up with chaos of war of the roses and disliked irish force
Henry managed to win

Question 4

Warbeck’s rising event summary

Answer 4

Claimed to be Richard, DofY in Ireland who had supposedly been murdered in the tower
Warbeck failed to win large-scale irish support, welcomed at French Court where he was joined by 100 Yorkist supporters. due to the Treaty of Etaples, moved to flanders and gained Margarets support.
Gained support of HRE Maximillian, although he lacked financial resource for Warbeck. Henry passed attainders against those implicated in the plot. When Warbeck landed at Deal in 1495, local militia easily defeated him. Warbeck fled to Ireland, failed to capture Waterford.
Welcomed in Scotland, married to James IV’s cousin. James provided him with 1500 troops to invade northern england. He had a lack of support, retreated back to England but James wanted to instead marry Henry’s daughter, abandoning Warbeck. Returned to Ireland, found even less success. Tried to capitalise on Cornish rebellion but was driven out and forced to seek sanctuary. Persuaded to give himself up, allowed back into court but then tried to run away so put in tower. Executed for rumoured plotting with the E of W

Question 5

How far was the Warbeck rebellion a threat?

Answer 5

WAS

• International dimension to the plot- Warbeck was supported by Charles VIII of France, Margaret of Burgundy, HRE Maximillian and James IV of Scotland
• Claimed to be Richard DofY who Henry could not parade around
• Henry broke off lucrative cloth trade with Burgundy when they offered Warbeck support- concern
• Sir William Stanley, leading courtier who had helped Henry at Bosworth, part of conspiracy- right to heart of royal court
• Married James IV cousin- foreign support prolonging challenge
• Revealed desperate position of Yorkists willing to support a pretender.
• Longevity

Question 6

How far was the Warbeck rebellion not a threat?

Answer 6

WASN’T

• HRE lacked financial resources to support him
• Due to attainders passed by Henry, Warbeck was easily defeated by local militia at Deal in 1495.
• Failed to gather northern support and other english support
• abandoned by James IV
• Failed to gain support at Ireland round 2
• Never forced Henry into battle