henry vii - early modern tudors

From what period in time did Henry VII live?

1485-1509

When did the Wars of the Roses break out and end?

The Wars of the Roses began in 1455 and lasted until 1487, marking a series of civil wars for control of the English throne.

Why did the Wars of the Roses happen?

It was a dynastic conflict between the House of the Yorkists and the House of the Lancasters.

How did Henry VII become King of England and when?

• Became King in August 1485

• Defeated the existing king, Richard III, in the Battle of Bosworth

How and why was Henry VII (Earl of Richmond) able to become King of England?

Although his legitimacy was a cause for concern, during the Battle of Bosworth, Henry Tudor defeated the reigning ruler, Richard III, which allowed Henry to claim the throne despite his inheritance being weak.

Explain Henry’s maternal claim to the throne

His mother was Margaret Beaufort, a descendant from Edward III via marriage of his third son to her great-great grandmother. However, there was some uncertainty surrounding the children and their legal standing due to Katherine being John of Gaunts mistress at the time of their birth.

Explain Henry’s paternal claim to the throne

Henry’s father, Edmund Tudor, didn’t pass down inheritance. However, his mother, Catherine, was a French princess who was married to Henry V before she was married to Owen Tudor. Catherine had no claim to the throne after Henry V’s death. But, Edmund and his brother were related to King Henry VI. By relation, this made Henry Tudor and Jasper Tudor claimants to the throne.

What was Henry’s main priority when he became king?

• Ensuring he eliminates threats to the throne in order to keep his crown and prevent further conflicts. E.g the De La Poles and their anger towards him.

• Also he was just wedded to Elizabeth of York and therefore needed produce a male heir to succeed him.

• Keep alliance between Yorkists and Lancastrians.

Why did Henry VII marry Elizabeth of York

To unite the houses of Lancaster and York, because Elizabeth of York was the eldest daughter of Edward IV and therefore represented the Yorkist house.

Also to strengthen the legitimacy of Tudor dynasty, ensuring their children would inherit claims from the Lancastrian and Yorkist lines.

Reduce risks of Yorkists uprisings.

Why was Richard III unpopular among his own supporters?

Because he overthrew the Yorkist King Edward V which shattered the unity of the House of York. His own supporters began to question the legitimacy of his rule.

Why did Richard III, ultimately, lose the Battle of Bosworth?

Richard III put his potential victory at risk by charging across the battlefield to kill Henry. He had gained support by the Stanley brothers but when they saw Richard’s knights having separated from the army, they led their own forces to aid Henry, ultimately killing Richard.

One way that Henry consolidated his power as King? And how? What are the possible drawbacks to that?

• He immediately declared that his reign started on 21 August 1485. Also issued a proclamation stating King Richard was dead and Henry Tudor was on the throne by the grace of god.

• Consolidated power because it meant that Richard and his supporters were traitors and their estates became property of the crown.

• Drawbacks meant that hose who supported Richard turned against him which meant more enemies with motive. His lie could have caught up to him.

Another way Henry consolidated power as King?

His formal coronation was on 30 October 1485. He planned a lavish celebration. This occurred BEFORE he met Parliament on 7th Nov.

• Consolidated power because by organizing a meeting with Parliament, it meant that nobody could challenge his reign.

Another way he consolidated power as King?

Sent Sir Willoughby to Yorkshire to secure Elizabeth of York and Edward, Earl of Warwick, and bring them to London. Married Elizabeth on 18 January 1486.

• Meant he could unite the houses and end War of the Roses.

Another way Henry consolidated power? Drawbacks?

Embarked on a Royal progress trip through the Kingdom in 1486.

• Drawback was that people may rebel after seeing him in public as it is easier to invade when he has left London.

Another way Henry consolidated power? Drawbacks?

• Appointed elderly church men who had served within Yorkist government to positions within the King’s counsel — e.g. Thomas Rotherham, Archbishop of York, as temporary Treasurer of the Exchequer.

• This maintained continuity from monarch to monarch, using their experience serving the Yorkist kings.

• Drawbacks could be that they might still be loyal to Richard III and pass secrets to enemies.

One last way in which Henry consolidated his power?

Utilized propaganda — creation of the Tudor rose.

• The rose symbolized the joining of the two warring houses of York and Lancashire. This signaled an end to the wars of the roses.

Why was Henry VII exiled and sent to Brittany for 14 years?

Henry and his uncle Jasper Tudor fled to Brittany seeking safety from Edward IV’s pursuit. Brittany, under the rule of Duke Francis II offered them refuge and was sympathetic to the Lancastrian cause, partly because of Margaret Beaufort’s influence, but also because Henry would be a valuable diplomatic tool.

How did Henry reward his supporters? 4 examples.

• Jasper Tudor (Henry’s uncle) - Became Duke of Bedford, also Chief Justice of Wales, Constable of all the royal castles in the Welsh marches and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

• Lord Stanley (Henry’s stepfather) - Granted Earl of Derby.

• Sir Thomas Lovell (someone who had rebelled against Richard III in 1483) - 1485 was made Chancellor of the Exchequer, Treasurer of the Household and Speake of the House of Commons.

• John Morton (who resisted Richard III usupation in 1483) - Appointed Chancellor and Archbishop of Canterbury in 1486.

What is the Act of Attainted?

Act of a law which stripped a nobleman of his land or titles.

The significance of the date: 21st August 1485

This is the date in which Henry VII predated his reign, a day before Battle of Bosworth.

The significance of the date: 30th October 1485

Henry was crowned King Henry VII

Significance of the date 7th November 1485

Henry called his first parliament

Significance of the date January 1486

Henry married Elizabeth of York

Who’s influence was Henry most worried about?

Margaret of Burgundy (The sister of Richard III and Edward IV).

This was due to the fact that Margaret refused to accept the Tudor takeover and possessed the means to support and foster the ambitions of Yorkist claimants.

When was the Lovell rebellion and what was it?

1486

• Led by Viscount Lovell and Humphrey Stafford. They wanted to restore the Yorkist monarchy.

• Lovell tried to raise a rebellion in the North of Yorkshire, and Stafford tried to do the same in the Midlands.

• There was little enthusiasm for the rebellion, Henry learned of the plot through spies.

• Lovell escaped, Stafford was executed, his younger brother was pardoned.

What was the Simnel Rebellion, when was it and what sparked it?

• 1486-87

• Led by Lambert Simnel.

• Yorkist leaders realised that they needed a legitimate claimant to the throne and financial support to build an army.

• Lambert Simnel impersonated the imprisoned Earl of Warwick.

• Simnels claim was weak, but that changed when he was crowned King of Ireland in 1487. Earl of Lincoln, who had potential claim to Yorkist crown, was involved. Orchestrated it.

The events of the Simnel Rebellion

• They had Margaret of Burgundy’s support, and the Yorkist rebels landed in Ireland in 1487.

• Simnel crowned King of Dublin.

• Rebels invaded England, taking control of York, but defeated at Battle of Stoke’s by Henry’s army in 1487.

• John De la Pole, Earl of Lincoln, killed in battle. Lovell killed in battle.

• Simnel captured but Henry showed mercy and allowed him to work in kitchens. Richard Symonds, the supposed puppeteer, was executed.

Why was the Simnel rebellion significant?

Because it demonstrated that the Yorkist cause was not dead, and there were still powerful individuals willing to risk everything to overthrow Henry VII and place a Yorkist monarch on the throne. Also showed that Henry had a good grip on power and had the military strength to eliminate people that threatened his claim.

Also the extent of domestic support that Simnel received during that time was a concern for Henry. Simnel had the backing of the Earl of Lincoln and John de la Pole, as well as 8,000 rebels at the Battle of Stoke.

Foreign support also posed a problem, Margaret of Burgundy recognized Simnel as her nephew.

Who were the two major pretenders during Henry’s reign?

Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck

What was the Warbeck Rebellion, when was it?

1490 - 1498

• Perkin Warbeck, a cloth trader from Tournai, pretended to be Richard, Duke of York, and led a rebellion.

Events of the Warbeck Rebellion

1. 1491, Warbeck pretended to be Richard of York in Ireland. A lot of Irish lords were not convinced. Warbeck flees to France.

2. 1492 - Warbeck is received as a prince in France.

3. Henry VII and Charles VIIII sign Treaty of Etaples which forces Warbeck to flee to the court of Margaret of Burgundy.

4. Margaret was convinced. Archduke Philip takes control of Burgundy, Henry warns him about harboring a pretender, Philip ignores him, Henry imposes a ban on trading.

5. Warbeck is welcomed to court of the Holy Roman Empire.

6. 1494, Henry’s spies uncover conspirators among the Government. Most prominent is Sir William Stanley, who is executed.

7. 1496, Warbeck fails his attempt to land at Deal. Warbeck’s army killed. Forced Warbeck to retreat. Fled to Ireland, was driven out.

8. Warbeck flees to Scotland, was given royal welcome by James IV. He marries James’ cousin.

9. James signs Treaty of Ayton with Henry VII, Warbeck flees once more.

10. Warbeck lands in Cornwall to try and profit from the Cornish Rebellion that happened in 1497. He was arrested.

11. 1498, Warbeck transferred to the Tower, tried to escape, was captured again, and executed in 1499.

What was the significance of the Warbeck rebellion?

It lasted from 1490 to 1498, which made it difficult to suppress. Warbeck’s rebellion posed a threat due to the unexpected support he received from Sir William Stanley, one of Henry’s most trusted advisors.

Foreign support that Warbeck gained also proved to be a threat.

Treaty of Etaples, what was it and when was it signed?

Treaty between Henry VII and Charles VIII of France which ensured that the French would not support Perkin Warbeck or any other pretenders to the throne. 1492.

Treaty of Ayton, what was it and when was it signed?

Brought about peace following James’ support for Perkin Warbeck, pretender to the throne. 1497.

What was the Treaty of Windsor and when was it signed?

1506. Required Maximillian to give up Suffolk, who was then imprisoned in the Tower by Henry. Restored friendly relations between Henry and Maximillian.

What were the Justices of Peace responsible for?

Keeping law and order in the localities.

What was the Privy Council?

A group of advisors, chosen by the King. They were usually from the nobility and gave the King advice. Council would consist of 40 to 50 people.

What was the Privy Chamber?

The heart of the household. The men of the Privy Chamber would have been chosen by the King and had the closest access to him and therefore the greatest opportunity to influence him.

Who was Sir Reginald Bray?

Faithful servant of Henry’s, helped him raise funds for the Battle of Bosworth. His influence was exercised by his role as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (significant body of property). He also led the Council Learned in Law.

What was the Council Learned?

A specialized board which primarily focused on maintaining the King’s revenue and exploiting his prerogative rights.

What is prerogative rights?

Describes those rights or powers which the monarch could exercise without consent from Parliament.

What were the two main functions of Parliament?

To pass laws

To grant taxations to the Crown

What is extraordinary revenue?

Money raised by the King from additional sources as one-off payments when he faced an emergency etc.

In order to bring the nobility to heel easily, Henry deliberately kept the peerage small by limiting the number of new lords that were created. How did he do this?

A limited noble class meant it was easier to control and there were not enough to rebel or betray him. He rarely elevated anyone to upper levels, so it was an honor when he did so. The grant of a title would involve the king in expenditure on a large scale as a little brought large estates and they were usually granted from crown lands.

How many marquis, viscounts, and barons did Henry grant titles to? Why is this different to Edward IV and Henry VIII?

Henry VII appointed one marquis, one viscount, and eight barons. This is in contrast to Edward and Henry VIII’s large peerage’s. Edward had two viscounts and thirteen barons.

How did a small peerage help Henry VII?

It meant that by having the number of peerage limited, it minimized the amount of betrayals and traitors and spies in the court. Henry was also proving to be distinctly different to that of Edward and Richard which may have sparked hope within the English.

How had the Wars of the Roses upset the ‘natural order of society’?

Because the crown was fought over by rival factions. This damaged and reduced the status of the monarchy because the nobility profited most from it, seizing the opportunity to take the law into their own hands. They used their servants and retainers as private armies to settle their quarrels and make or unmake kings on battlefields.

Why was it important for Henry to assert his control over the nobility?

He needed to assert his control if he was to restore his authority of the monarchy. A great nobleman had the power to provoke disorder and revolt, but could also quell rebellion and act as a mediator.

• Henry thought that by imposing his will, the nobles might learn to accept that their position was one of obedience to the crown.

How does controlling noble marriages help Henry weaken the nobility and keep control?

This would ensure that leading magnates did not link themselves to create dangerous power blocs.

How does dealing with overmighty subjects and retaining help Henry weaken the nobility and keep control?

They were kept under closer surveillance. Henry would fine nobles so the greater magnates posed less of a threat to Henry than they had in previous reigns.

How did patronage help Henry weaken the nobility and keep control?

He did not buy the loyalty of the nobility. The criterion he used in selecting those to receive royal favor was good and loyal service to the crown. The beneficiaries of Henry’s generosity were valuable servants of the Tudor government.

What were ‘bonds’?

A legal document which bound an individual to another to perform an action or forfeit a specified sum of money if they failed to do so. (WRITTEN AGREEMENTS THAT PROMISED LOYALTY).

What were ‘recognizances’?

A formal acknowledgement of a debt or other obligation which could be enforced by means of a financial penalty.

What was the point of bonds and recognizances?

To secure obedience to the new dynasty of King.

Out of the 62 families belonging to the peerage, how many were bound under the schemes of bonds or recognizances?

46

Who was under the most scrutiny due to the enforcement of bonds and recognizances?

Empson and Dudley, they earned themselves the reputation for ruthlessness in pursuing these claims and were executed in 1510 once Henry VII had died.

How did Henry VII increase royal income during his reign?

1. Fines

2. Marriage dues

3. Livery fines

4. Dues

5. Collection of revenue

6. Crown lands

7. Marquis of Dorset

8. Tax

9. Special occasions

10. Tenants-in-Chief

How did fines increase royal income

Punishments were given in the form of fines which increased revenue

How did collection of revenues increase royal income?

Local receivers became responsible for collecting revenues in cash. The revenues were then reemitted directly to the Chamber of the Household. This meant Henry could keep tighter control over them. As a result, collection of revenues became more efficient.

How did crown lands increase royal income?

When Sir William Stanley was executed in 1495, his lands were siezed by the Crown. This boosted revenue. Even the death of Prince Arthur in 1502 saw lands revert back to the Crown which brought in a further 6000 pounds to the household.

How did tenants-in-Chief increase royal income?

In 1501, Henry declared all major landowners ‘tenants-in-chief’ which meant that Henry could seize land upon the death of a noble.

What is exchequer

A court that specialized in collecting the king’s revenues

Why was having a sufficient income essential for Henry?

It allowed him to assert the power of the monarchy, and the appearance of wealth was crucial for impressing other countries and proving the legitimacy and stability of the Tudor dynasty.

How was royal income better when comparing Henry VI to Henry VII?

The income of the Crown Lands had increased from 22,000 in 1485 to nearly 40,000 at the end of Henry’s reign.

What were Henry’s main aims when establishing good relations with foreign countries?

• National security.

• Recognition of the Tudor dynasty.

• Defense of the English trading interests.

Why was the Treaty of Redon signed in 1489?

Due to the 1487 invasion, Brittany was at risk of being absorbed into France, and Henry felt compelled to act due to his sense of duty towards the Bretons and his fear that a French takeover would bring the enemy closer to England.

What did the Treaty of Redon depict?

Henry made agreements with Ferdinand and Maximillian to build an anti-French alliance, while the Bretons agreed to cover the costs of the 3,000 strong English army.

Why was maintaining good relations with Burgundy crucial for Henry VII?

Because the majority of England’s exports passed through the Dutch ports of Antwerp, which were under Burgundian control.

Why did Henry place an embargo on trade with Burgundy?

Because of their hospitality to the pretender, Perkin Warbeck. This caused conflict between both countries but, ultimately, Henry’s prioritization of the Tudor dynasty led him to disregard the commercial interests of London. Relations improved after Warbeck left Burgundy and Henry and Philip reached an agreement known as the INTERCURSUS MAGNUS, which brought the trade embargo to an end.

When was the Intercursus Magnus signed?

1496 — Put an end to the trade embargo previously placed.

When was the Treaty of Medina Del Campo signed and with whom?

Signed in 1489 with Spain

Why did Henry want an alliance with Spain?

Because Henry wished to see greater English trade in the Mediterranean, and Spain had control over that so they would have seen this as a threat to their country. Henry sought an opportunity not to antagonize Spain but saw the country as a useful counter-weight on the southern border of France.

What did the Treaty of Medina Del Campo say?

• England and Spain offered mutual protection in the events of an attack,

• Would not make decisions about France without consulting each other first.

• Spain agreed not to harbor any rebels or pretenders.

• Arranged a marriage between Henry' VII’s son Arthur, and Ferdinand and Isabella’s daughter Catherine, Princess of Aragon.

Why was the King of Spain unconvinced regarding the treaty?

He was unsure whether it would be a good idea to marry his daughter off to a country supposedly under the threat of a pretender.

What is a papal dispensation?

Permission required from the Pope in order to be exempted from the laws or the observances of the Church; only considered in special or unusual circumstances.

What were the 5 main treaties/truces regarding foreign policies:

• Brittany: Treaty of Redon (1489)

• Burgundy: Intercursus Magnus (1495)

• France: Treaty of Etaples (1492)

• Scotland: Truce of Ayton (1497)

• Spain: Treaty of Medina del Campo (1489)

Why did relations between Scotland and England strain?

Because King James IV extended his hospitality to Perkin Warbeck. During his stay, Warbeck not only got a pension from the King but also a marriage to his cousin. James also encouraged Warbeck to invade England with a small army in 1496.

What is the Treaty of Perpetual Peace (1502)?

Formalized the marriage between King James IV and Princess Margaret, Henry’s daughter. Relations improved and continued to do so until the end of Henry VII’s reign.

Who was the Earl of Kildare?

Known as the uncrowned King of Ireland, leading member of Irish nobility. Henry became dependent upon Kildare for the maintenance of law and order in Ireland.

Why was the Earl of Kildare viewed upon with suspicion by Henry?

Because Kildare was a Yorkist sympathizer, which was confirmed when he crowned Lambert Simnel King of Dublin in 1486. Allegiance to Henry further weakened due to his support of Perkin Warbeck in 1491.

How effective was Henry’s foreign policy with France and Brittany?

Initially a failure as he lost Brittany to France, which threatened national security. However, in the long term, it was a success as it led to the signing of the Treaty of Etaples and improved relations between the two countries, ultimately securing the Tudor dynasty.

How effective was Henry’s foreign policy with Burgundy, the Netherlands, and the Holy Roman Empire?

Was a failure in the short term as his trade embargo failed to protect England’s national interests. However, it allowed him to focus on protecting the Tudor dynasty which ultimately led to the signing of the Intercursus Magnus and restored trading links.

How effective was Henry’s foreign policy with Spain?

Was a failure as his support for Philip of Burgundy caused his relations with Ferdinand to deteriorate, despite the temporary success of the Treaty of Medina del Campo.

How effective was Henry’s foreign policy with Scotland?

Was a success as he prevented Warbeck from invading England and secured the Tudor dynasty through the Truce of Ayton and the Treaty of Perpetual Peace.