overall conclusion on henry

which pretender posed the biggest threat to henry

Led by a real Yorkist claimant

• John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln — a genuine Yorkist with a strong claim.

2. Backed by foreign troops

• 4,000–6,000 Irish soldiers

• 2,000 German mercenaries from Margaret of Burgundy

3. Reached a full battle

• Battle of Stoke (1487) — the last battle of the Wars of the Roses.

• If Henry had lost, the Tudors would have fallen after just two years.

4. Significant English support

• Some northern gentry joined the rebels.

• The rebellion gained momentum inside England.

→ This was the closest Henry came to being overthrow

how did foreign support amplify he threat oised by challenging simnwel and the warbeck rebellion

1. Gave Pretenders Legitimacy

• Foreign recognition made both pretenders look credible.

• Simnel: Crowned “Edward VI” in Ireland; backed by Margaret of Burgundy.

• Warbeck: Recognised by France, Burgundy, HRE, Scotland; marriage to Catherine Gordon boosted status.

• → Foreign backing made them seem plausible Yorkist claimants.

2. Provided Money, Troops, and Military Power

• Foreign aid turned plots into real military threats.

• Simnel: 4,000–6,000 Irish troops + 2,000 German mercenaries → full invasion force → Battle of Stoke.

• Warbeck: French funding, Burgundian support, Scottish troops → enabled three invasion attempts.

• → Foreign troops made the rebellions dangerous and organised.

3. Forced Henry into Costly Diplomacy

• Henry had to fight internationally, not just domestically.

• Simnel: Prepared for a foreign‑backed invasion.

• Warbeck:

  • Étaples (1492) removed French support.

  • Embargo on Burgundy (1493) pressured Margaret.

  • Ayton (1497) ended Scottish backing.

• → Henry used treaties, money, and trade pressure to isolate pretenders.

4. Encouraged English Conspirators

• Foreign backing made pretenders look viable, encouraging English rebels.

• Simnel: Attracted northern gentry.

• Warbeck: Stanley conspiracy (1495) only happened because he had strong foreign allies.

• → Foreign support increased English willingness to rebel.

countries that posed the greatest threat

Burgundy

• Burgundy was the single greatest foreign threat to Henry throughout his reign.

• Margaret of Burgundy (Edward IV’s sister) was the centre of Yorkist opposition.

• She funded Simnel’s German mercenaries (2,000 troops).

• She openly recognised Warbeck as her “nephew”.

• Burgundy acted as a safe base for Yorkist plotting.

• Henry had to impose a trade embargo (1493–96), showing how serious the threat was.

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