Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck 1486-1499

Question 1

The threat Simnel posed to Henry

Answer 1

Lambert Simnel was trained to act as a prince to impersonate Earl of Warwick - but Henry could produce Earl from the Tower
Had foreign support - Margaret of Burgundy had power to help Lovell and de la Pole, raised force of 2000 German mercenaries led by experienced Martin Schwartz
Irish and English Yorkists crowned Simnel as king
Rebel army sailed from Ireland - traditional Yorkist power base
Arrived June 1487 then marched south - Earl of Northumberland did nothing to stop them as the first line of defence

Question 2

Henry’s response to the threat of Simnel

Answer 2

Henry showed tactical awareness with use of troops - guarded troops (failed), moved troops north in response to intelligence about invasion from Ireland
German mercenaries well-trained and well-equipped but lacked body armour - easily defeated
Henry trusted de la Pole despite rumours of plots, allowed him in Council - knew measures against Simnel
De la Pole killed and Lovell disappeared

Question 3

Ways Simnel threatened Henry’s rule

Answer 3

Rebels were a mixture of claimants, discontented Yorkists and foreign support
Raised enough foreign support to fund an army through Margaret of Burgundy, and had useful base of Ireland

Question 4

How Henry was able to defeat the threat of Simnel

Answer 4

Henry was able to defeat rebels in battle - not strong local support for Simnel, Irish did not send troops and mercenaries were not loyal Yorkists
Henry’s army well-placed in centre of England
No great support of rebels from North despite being traditional Yorkist stronghold
Many nobles preferred stability after years of political instability - Henry was able to gather local support

Question 5

Results of overcoming the threat of Simnel

Answer 5

Henry strengthened his throne - 1847 called parliament - passed 28 Acts of Attainder so rebels were charged without trial, members of King’s Council given more powers to stop local disorder and over-powerful nobility with Court of Star Chamber

Question 6

The threat Perkin Warbeck posed to Henry - identity and support

Answer 6

Warbeck claimed to be Richard Duke of York - younger of disappeared princes in the Tower, couldn’t be disproven, strong claim to throne
Warbeck had foreign support - King Charles VIII of France, Yorkist Margaret of Burgundy, Maximilian Holy Roman Emperor, King James IV of Scotland

Question 7

The threat Perkin Warbeck posed to Henry - actions

Answer 7

Margaret of Burgundy recognised him as her nephew, Charles VIII invited him to France and treated him as a prince
July 1495 - Warbeck tries landing at Deal with 300 soldiers - no local support, fled
Went to Scotland - support from James IV, Sep 1496 invaded England with 1400 men, no local support, fled
Scottish invasion - Henry raises taxes to pay for army, 1497 rebellion in Cornwall, distraction
James stopped supporting Warbeck - went to Ireland, no local support
Went to Cornwall - around 6000 men locally joined him but no gentry support, attacked Exeter but Warbeck captured
Henry initially treated Warbeck well - accepted at Court and not formally imprisoned, June 1498 tried to escape, put in Tower
Tried to plot with Warwick or framed - 1499 executed for treason

Question 8

Sir William Stanley’s involvement and threat

Answer 8

Plot against Henry - 1493 agreed with Sir Robert Clifford that Clifford would contact Warbeck, Clifford told Henry Stanley was in contact, Stanley executed for treason 1495
Betrayal worrying - Stanley had supported H at Bosworth, was Chamberlain of the King’s Household, daily access to the King

Question 9

The overall threat Warbeck posed to Henry

Answer 9

Received foreign support - James IV offered his cousin to marry Warbeck, Henry forced to negotiate with foreign powers to move Warbeck
Henry vulnerable during Cornwall rebellion - spy network let him down, distracted by Scotland, but Warbeck didn’t arrive early enough to harness anger as Henry put down revolt swiftly
Henry saw him as a real threat - reaction severe

Question 10

The overall lack of threat Warbeck posed to Henry

Answer 10

Unable to raise large fighting force - Henry’s threats discouraged supporters, never in pitched battle
Henry had more secure throne than during Simnel - growing family, mostly loyal nobility, harsh punishments for disloyalty

Question 11

How Henry overcame threat of Warbeck and supporters

Answer 11

Strengthened position - growing family representing both factions, could create foreign alliances with children
Henry had more resources and power - Warbeck couldn’t maintain support, H could have quick military response and network of spies
1498 Treaty of Medina del Campo - alliance with Spain, acknowledged Henry’s right to be king, agreement they won’t support each other’s enemies, no support for pretenders
System of bonds and recognisances for over half of nobility - payment made if good behaviour broken or bad behaviour repeated, fees could bankrupt Thomas Grey Marquis of Dorset so stayed loyal and helped in Cornwall
Acts of Attainder - punish potential supporters of Warbeck, 24 attainded after Stanley betrayal
Use of rewards - Edward Courtenay Earl of Devon given title for loyalty to Henry, given job of defending Exeter