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
What was Titulus Regius?
Declared that Edwards marriage to Elizabeth Woodville was invalid and that their children were illegitimate
How would have Titulus Regius affected Henry’s reign?
Henry’s future wife, Elizabeth of York (Edward and Elizabeth Woodville’s daughter), would have been illegitimate under the law
Impact of Henry marrying Elizabeth of York:
United the two factions (Lancaster and York), which was cemented when they gave birth to the new heir Arthur, which made the House of Lancaster more loyal since the children had both Yorkist and Lancastrian blood
How did Henry secure his throne?
Rewarded his supporters
How was Thomas Stanley rewarded?
Made Earl of Derby
How was Sir William Stanley rewarded?
Given the position of Lord Chamberlain of the Royal Household
A yorkist that Henry rewarded:
Sir Thomas Lovell who rebelled against Richard III in 1483 was made Treasurer of the Household
What happened to John de la Pole after the Battle of Bosworth?
Swore loyalty to Henry and was allowed to join the Royal council
What did Henry embark on in 1486?
On a progress in the Midlands and the North, where Ricardian support was strong.
What did Henry force the House of Commons and Lords to do?
Swear an oath that they would not retain (recruit) men illegally
How did Henry make the Crown’s finances more secure?
Passing an Act of Resumption
When was the Act of Resumption passed?
1486
Act of Resumption:
Allowed Henry to take back all Crown lands which had been granted away since 1455
What did Thomas and Humphrey Stafford and Francis, Lord Lovell hope for?
Restoration of a Yorkist monarchy
What occured in 1486?
Rumours began to spread of plots against Henry. One suggesting that the Earl of Warwick had escaped from the Tower and fled to the Channel Islands; agents of the Earl of Lincoln were caught smuggling gold and silver out of the country, perhaps to raise an army abroad
Where did the Stafford brothers and Lovell stay?
Sanctuary at Colchester
Where did the Stafford brothers and Lovell try to raise an army?
in the Midlands in the name of the Earl of Warwick
Where did Lovell flee to?
Burgundy, to find refuge with Margaret of Burgundy
What happened to the Staffords after the failed rebellion? (3)
- Forcibly removed from sanctuary by Henry
- Sir Humphrey Stafford was executed
- Thomas Stafford was pardoned
