How significant was the Simnel affair in challenging Henry VII’s authority? Flashcards
Henry VII:
Henry’s great purpose was to establish himself and his family on the throne of England. In 1486 he faced numerous minor plots and conspiracies that developed into serious security threats after foreign powers intervened.
The Lovell Rebellion:
Who?
• Francis Viscount Lovell
– Supporter of Richard
– His wife was Anne Neville’s cousin
• Supported by
– Humphrey Stafford
– Thomas Stafford
- Relatively minor nobleman
- Prospered under Richard III
- Had fought for him at Bosworth
- Fled and sought sanctuary after Henry’s victory
- Being loyal Yorkists, they wanted to capture or kill Henry VII and therefore put Henry Lovell on the throne and re-establish the power of the Yorkist faction.
The Lovell Rebellion: What happened?
• Henry used spies to pursue and monitor escaping Yorkist supporters, Lovell and the Staffords included.
• April 1486, Henry went on to tour the north of England and judging that the time was right Lovell and the Staffords left the sanctuary of the Abbey and went to get support to overthrow Henry but were pursued by the spies.
• Lovell went to Yorkshire to Middleham Castle and a few Yorkist retainers came out to support him, as soon as Henry heard of the rebellion whilst in Lincoln he moved north to York to suppress it with his large armed force.
• His Uncle, Jasper Tudor, Duke of Bedford, was sent into Yorkshire promising to pardon everyone except Lovell and since he was not a Yorkist claimant to the throne the rebel force quickly disbanded.
• Henry also sent in 2 reliable nobleman, Sir Richard Edgecombe, the controller of the household and Sir William Tyler, keeper of the Jewels to arrest him. Knowing that his rebellion had failed Lovell fled to Margaret of Burgundy in Flanders, Richard III’s
sister.
• The Stafford brothers did little better; they went to Worcester in the midlands to get support but few people joined them. When news of Lovell’s escape and Henry VII’s approach was received by the rebels, they fled to Culham Abbey and asked for sanctuary again but were followed by Henry’s spies.
• This time Henry was less forgiving and had them dragged out and put on trial which violated the principles of sanctuary.
The Lovell Rebellion:
Consequences/Outcomes?
• Rule of sanctuary was altered – making it impossible to plead sanctuary in treason cases.
• Yorkists learned they needed a Yorkist prince to stand against Henry.
• Made clear the importance of protecting the dynasty on multiple fronts;
– A foreign country may profit from supporting Yorkist claimants (France, Burgundy, Ireland, Scotland, Spain etc) so has to work hard to limit anti-Tudor co operation
– Reliance on family and friends who had been in exile with Henry
– although English noblemen rewarded he also sought to control them through bonds, attainder and acts of resumption.
Francis Lovell’s-
Blue Plaque
A blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event, serving as a historical marker.
Who was Lambert Simnel?
“Lambert Simnel was like a puppet in a shadow-play.
Dancing before the lighted screen, his silhouette assumed the proportions of greatness, and his movements seemed portentous. In the flickering light he took the shape of a boy-king, and it seemed, however momentarily, that the fate of nations hung on his life. Of course, the illusion could never be entirely concealed. The machinations of the puppeteers were soon thwarted, and the whole charade destroyed.”
- From Michael Bennett, Lambert Simnel and the Battle
of Stoke, 1987
15th century Oxford:
• In the 15th century, Oxford was a town full of
ambitious men.
• The university provided routes for advancement and
promotion in both the Church and the state.
• It was a growing town with new colleges and
educational establishments such as grammar schools
being built.
• Many scholars and students supplemented their
income by tutoring young boys.
• One such scholar was a priest, Richard Symonds, who
tutored a 10 year old boy named Lambert Simnel.
Profile of Lambert Simnel:
• Polydore Vergil wrote about Symonds, presenting
him as a crafty and ambitious man who groomed
Simnel to impersonate one of the Yorkist princes.
• Simons planned that once the imposter was
accepted, he would be rewarded with a high church
post, possibly a bishopric.
• He had to teach the boy a great deal: the lessons
included basic Latin grammar, polite French, the
practical and social skills in an aristocratic household,
details of Yorkist family life, and the self-assurance of
a King.
• Simons taught well, for the boy impressed the Anglo-
Irish nobles in Dublin with his grace.
Chronology of Events:
> November 1486- Rumours of an imposter reach the King in London
> February 1487- The King calls his Counsel to agree pre-emptive action against a Yorkist imposter
> Spring 1487- The Earl of Lincoln and Lord Lovell are reunited at the court of Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy
> 5th May 1487- Lincoln, Lovell and Yorkists arrive at Dublin
> 24th May 1487- Coronation of Lambert Simnel as Edward VI in Dublin
> 4th June 1487- “Edward VI” and his Yorkist army land in Cumbria
> 16th June 1487- The Battle of Stoke
The Rebellion:
> Strengths
• Foreign support – supplement Yorkist opposition to Henry.
• Simnel recognised by Irish nobles.
• Warwick’s extensive land and links with Wales, Calais and the Marches meant any challenge with his support was serious.
• Yorkist prince (claim to throne) – coronation to reinforce this.
• Gathering support in areas that favoured Richard III.
• Route of invading army – won small victories against Lord Clifford and Lord Scales.
• Battle of Stoke site favoured a small army.
• German mercenaries using new pike tactics.
> Weaknesses
• Irish troops poorly equipped and armed.
• 8,000 soldiers (small army).
• Limited support had been gained – main army were Irish supporters and German mercenaries.
• Defeat in battle.
• Simnel is captured.
• Army using crossbow – slow to reload (inferior to longbow).
• High ground – but failed to use to advantage.
The King (Henry Tudor:
> Strengths:
• Operational HQ – aimed to stop invasion from the East.
• Knew of the threat of imposter - efficient intelligence network of spies.
• Undermined supporters – favours to Northumberland and Howard.
• Deprived Elizabeth Woodville of access.
• stop opportunity to conspire further.
• Calls Counsel to meeting before coronation – pre-emptive.
• Establishes martial law (keeps law and order).
• 15,000 soldiers (out number enemy).
• Skill archers (longbow) and tough billmen.
> Weaknesses:
• No allegiance from Anglo-Irish nobles.
• Earl of Lincoln – member of Council and betrays Henry (did not realise).
• Weak loyalty to Henry by nobles (e.g. Woodville and Stanley – although they are loyal, Henry worries that they will not be).
• Didn’t know the size of enemy force. (intelligence?)
• No official record of response until Counsel decide to parade Earl of Warwick – did Henry act and there is
no record, or did he not act all?
Levels of Support:
> Foreign involvement:
• Margaret of Burgundy – financial aid and 2,000 German mercenaries.
• Irish nobles supported Simnel and formed part of the army.
• Sanctuary/haven for Yorkist supporters to meet and conspire against Henry.
> Extent of domestic support for Yorkists:
• Very little!
Role of Margaret,
Duchess of Burgundy:
> Margaret of York – 3rd daughter of
Richard DOY, sister to Edward IV and Richard III.
• Married Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.
• Implacable opponent of Henry VII.
– mainspring of the plots against the King
• Sympathetic support for Simnel and Warbeck.
• Maintained Yorkist exiles at court.
• Financed imposter’s invasion fleets.
• Limitations to help (5,000 men and 2 small fleets) – minor expenses to Margaret.
The Significance of 1487:
• Battle of Stoke – last engagement of Wars of the Roses = a watershed in the nation’s history.
• Experience of rebellion and manner of its suppression
shaped the early Tudor dynasty.
• Henry VII had been preoccupied with the imposter
from February 1487 and rebellions in Yorkshire and
Northumberland followed – he did not return to
London until October.
• “walked a tightrope in this year of crisis for he had to
deal firmly with the rebels, yet he could not risk
alienating whole districts or creating entrenched
resistance” Lee, p53.
The Significance of 1487:
Actions & Fears of Henry VII
• August 1487 – issuing pardons.
• November 1487 – summoned parliament to issue Act
of Attainder against 28 rebels (only took action against
Earl of Lincoln).
• Faced continued challenges from conspiracy to rebellion and Yorkist agents were at heart of his government.
• Some regions would support any challenge to the king and the “Irish problem” remained unresolved.
• Feared foreign attack (especially with threat of
Burgundian support).
