HVII - Securing the Throne

Question 1

How did marrying Elizabeth of York help secure the throne?

Answer 1

It was designed to unite the houses of York and Lancaster. Henry had a weak claim to the throne and by marrying Elizabeth, he eliminated possible Yorkist threat to an extent

Question 2

Why did Henry change the date of reign to the 21st of August when the Battle of Bosworth had taken place on the 22nd?

Answer 2

Legally, this meant that anybody who had fought on the side of Richard III during the BoB was a traitor, as Henry was “king” at that point and Richard was the “usurper”.

Question 3

What would happen to those accused of treason for supporting Richard III?

Answer 3

Anyone deemed guilty of treason could have their property seized by an Act of Attainder

Question 4

Henry was crowned on October 30th and Parliament met afterwards on November 7th. Why is this significant?

Answer 4

Henry could publicly state that he didn’t need parliament to declare himself as king as he was king before parliament even met.

Question 5

Who was the Earl of Warwick?

Answer 5

Richard III’s 10-year-old nephew, and one of the Princes in the Tower. (Lambert Simnel pretended to be him)

Question 6

Why did Henry have to deal with the Earl of Warwick? How was this ensured?

Answer 6

Though he was only 10 in 1485, he was still a figure that Yorkists could rally around. He was sent to the Tower where he could live in comfort but he was not allowed to leave.

Question 7

Who had been named as Richard’s heir?

Answer 7

John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln.

Question 8

What happened to John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln?

Answer 8

Originally, he professed his loyalty to Henry, which kept him satisfied. He was appointed to the king’s council but fled to Ireland and supported Lambert Simnel. He was eventually killed at the Battle of Stoke in 1487 by Henry’s army.

Question 9

Which nobles were pardoned by Henry?

Answer 9

• Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey
• Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland

Surrey was appointed to the Council of the North. Northumberland was killed in 1489 by Yorkshire rioters during a rebellion.

Question 10

Which nobles were executed by Henry?

Answer 10

• Francis, Lord Lovell
• Humphrey Stafford
• Sir Thomas Stafford
• Edmund de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk

These also deterred other would-be rebels within the nobility

Question 11

Who were the 2 pretenders to the throne?

Answer 11

• Lambert Simnel (1486-87)

* Perkin Warbeck (1491-1499)