How effectively did Henry Tudor secure his hold on the throne in the years, 1485-87? Flashcards
Who did Henry battle for the crown at the Battle of Bosworth?
Richard III
Why was Henry Tudor’s claim to the throne weak? (3)
- Had beaten Richard for the crown and was not seen as inheriting it from the divine right of king
- He was illegitimate
- Henry’s claim to the throne was based on his descent from a woman
Henry’s illegitimacy:
The Beauforts were illegitimate as John of Gaunt had conceived with Katherine Swynford out of wedlock
When and on what condition were the Beauforts made legitimate?
At the end of the 14th century, on the condition that they, and their descendants would not be able to claim to the English throne
John de la Pole’s claim to the throne:
Nephew of Edward VI and Richard III, and during Richard’s reign had been the heir presumptive
Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Warwick’s claim to the throne:
Nephew of Edward VI and Richard III
Richard, Duke of York and Edward V of York’s claim to the throne:
Children of Edward IV and were placed in the tower at the start of Richard III’s reign
Elizabeth of York’s claim to the throne:
Daughter of Edward IV and could still pass on their claim to their children
When was the Battle of Bosworth?
22nd August 1485
What was the size of Henry’s force during the Battle of Bosworth in comparison to Richard’s?
5,000
Richard had twice this amount
Who watched the battle from the sidelines and why?
Thomas and William Stanley, Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland
Why did Thomas and William Stanley watch from the sidelines?
Thomas Stanley had married Henry’s widowed mother, Margaret Beaufort
What mistake did Richard III make?
His impetuos actions had led him to become separated from his army in an attempt to kill Henry
How did Sir William Stanley intervene?
When Richard III was separated from a majority of his troops, Stanley directed his troops to attack Richard
Why was Henry to be cautious? (2)
- Not able to trust his nobility completely as Richard’s own nobility betrayed him
- ## Henry drew some support from the Yorkists, who he could not trust completely
Positive impacts of the Battle of Bosworth:
Richard III’s defeat at the Battle of Bosworth was seen as God’s punishment for the methods he had used in seizing the throne - Helping Henry to enhance his position
What fraction of the nobility actually fought for Richard at the Battle of Bosworth?
less than a 1/4
What was Henry’s first move after the Battle of Bosworth?
Ensured that he was crowned in a formal ceremony
After Henry’s coronation, what did Henry do?
Followed it up with his first Parliament as it was part of the royal prerogative to summon Parliament
Why did Henry get coronated and call up Parliament immediately after the Battle of Bosworth?
Reasserts his God-given right to be king to secure and justify his claim to the throne
How did the parliament of 1485 react to Henry?
Declared that Henry was king and confirmed the event of the past two months
How did Henry use parliament against his opponents?
This turned Richard into an usurper and Henry into the rightful king on the day the battle was fought and so all those who had fought for Richard were traitors and could be punished as such.
How did else did Henry use Parliament?
Henry cemented his dynastic position
How did Henry cement his dynastic position?
Cancelled Titulus Regius which had been passed by Richard III
