The Consolidation of Power Flashcards
Why had England experienced political instability in the 15th century?
The unsuccessful reign of Henry VI had culminated In 1455 in the outbreak of the wars of the roses between the houses of Lancaster and house of York
Between 1455 and 1485 England suffered 30 years of civil war
What allowed Henry Tudor to seize the throne in 1485?
The unpopularity of the Yorkist King Richard III (with added suspicion about disappearance of princes in the tower) allowed Henry to seize the thrown at the Battle of Bosworth in August 1485. Richard was killed in battle
Why was Henry’s claim to the throne weak?
He was descended through the female line - though his mother Lady Margaret Beaufort
The Beaufort line came through John of Gaunt’s third wife - their son had been born before marriage so was considered illegitimate
Henry was the Lancastrian claimant only because there was no other suitable candidate
What were the early years of Henry’s reign characterised by?
Insecurity and fears of a potential Yorkist challenge
What did Henry do in august 1485 to help secure the throne?
He dated his reign from the 21st of August (day before battle) allowing anyone who fought on the Yorkist side to be accused of being a traitor
He publicly rewarded his key supporters (conferred 11 knighthoods)
He detained the earl of Warwick and Elizabeth of York whose claims to the throne could be seen as much greater than this
What did Henry do in October to help secure the throne?
He arranged his coronation for a week before the first meeting in parliament on 7th of November to show his right to the throne was hereditary not just based on parliamentary sanctions
Made key appointments to his councils as household e.g. Sir Reginald Bray as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
What did Henry issue in October to help secure the throne?
Parliamentary Acts of Attainder against Yorkists who fought at the Battle of Bosworth so they’re property became forfeit to the crown
How did Henry initially increase his income?
By demanding the customs revenues of tonnage and poundage for life at his first parliament
What did Henry do in 1486 having consolidated his power?
Married Elizabeth of York. This enabled royal propaganda to exploit the union of the houses of Lancaster and York Having
This led to the Tudor rose - a combination of the colours of York and Lancaster and this was put everywhere a symbol of his authority
What happened in September 1489 and why was this significant?
Arthur was born - an heir to the throne - fully securing the dynasty
What were Acts of Attainder?
This declared the a landowner guilty of rebelling against a monarch , the attained noble lost his title, lands and sometimes his head, heirs were also disinherited
What was tonnage and poundage?
The right to raise revenue for the whole reign from imports and exports
What is a parliamentary sanction?
An official confirmation or ratification of a law given by Parliament as the acclaimed body of state
What was Henry’s main aim?
To consolidate his power in order to keep his throne - he accomplished this through both political actions and military success
Why had Henry not been brought up to rule?
He had lived in exile in Brittany since the age of 14 following the Yorkist victory at the battle of Tewkesbury in which many of the Lancastrians died or were executed
Henry fled to France where he lived as a fugitive in the Duchy of Brittany
