Henry VII- Situation in 1485, accession, initial policy

When did Henry VII rule?

1485-1509

When did Henry VIII rule?

1509-1547

When did Edward VI rule?

1547-1553

When did Lady Jane Grey rule?

10th to the 19th of July 1553

When did Mary I rule?

1553-1558

What was foreign policy like in 1485? (3 points)

England allied with Hapsburgs due to economic dependence Antwerp cloth trade

Relations with France poor due to Hapsburg alliance

Threatened by Auld Alliance

What was the economic situation like in 1485?

-England's main export was cloth

-Income of English monarch far less than that of other European monarchs

-Income from crown lands and customs in decline

What was the government like in 1485?

-Parliament not a regular feature of democracy, only called when King needed money

-King relied on nobles and senior clergy for advice, these two groups made up the Privy Council

-Law and order maintained locally by JPs

-Personality of the king very important as he is primary decisionmaker

What was the state of the monarchy like in 1485? 2 details

-England ruled by increasingly unpopular Richard III who had a fairly tenuous claim to the throne

-Throne had changed hands regularly since 1399

What was the geographical situation like in 1485?

-England had lost lots of lands in France throughout the 15th century but still ruled Calais

-Main threat was France as they were the largest power in Europe

-Netherlands v important due to cloth trade

-Auld alliance v dangerous, threat from Northern border

-Spain becoming major power

Background of instability caused by the Wars of the Roses

England had been unstable since 1399 and the throne had regularly changed hands

Wars of the Roses began in 1455 and continued until 1485

Until 1559, which conflict dominated European foreign policy?

The conflict between the Valois and Hapsburg dynasties. Tudors found that they usually naturally allied with the Hapsburgs due to trade and natural hostility towards France.

How might the domestic situation in 1485 helped Henry VII? (5 reasons)

-People apathetic about new ruler, happy to go with the flow as they wanted stability and peace

-People used to war and nobles in the practice of maintaining large armies in prep for war (could be an issue too though!)

-Ruling classes not governed well in the last few years so expectations of Henry low

-Lots of York heirs young, good for Henry as he could establish his position before they became a major issue

-Henry didn't have lots of family to reward with titles for loyalty , which he would have struggled to afford.

How might the domestic situation in 1485 hindered Henry VII? (6 reasons)

-England weakened by wotr so vulnerable to foreign attack especially from France/Scotland

-Lots of mistrust of the monarchy and ruling classes after wotf so people would be suspicious of a new monarch

-Country had been depleted by years of war and was weak economically and socially which would make Henry's rule much harder.

-Law and order had broken down

-Henry's claim weak, House of York hadn't disappeared and tensions still high

-Henry lacking close family who he could trust and rely on so he had to earn the trust of the often self serving, suspicious nobility.

Who did the York line begin with?

Lionel Duke of Clarence

Who did the Lancastrian line begin with?

John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster

Why was the marriage between Henry VII and Elizabeth of York significant?

Marriage and subsequent offspring united York and Lancaster thus virtually ending their rivalry.

Marriage to royal princess added legitimacy to Henry's claim

Ensured Elizabeth's children would be no threat to him

How strong was Henry VII's claim to the throne?

Weak and indirect

Why was Henry's claim so weak? (excluding his blood claim)

Hadn't grown up a strong contender for the throne as had been exiled for 14 years

Several people with stronger claims like Edward Earl of Warwick and the De la Pole brothers who all descended from siblings of Edward IV

Significance of Jasper Tudor for Henry

-Only constant figure in Henry's early years

-Stayed with Henry in his 14 year exile

-Played a key role at Bosworth

-Helped defend Henry from rebellion and maintain peace in England until his death in 1495

-In essence, played a central role in his life, giving him stability, loyalty and a political role model

Significance of Margaret Beaufort for Henry (5 points)

-Gave birth to him at a very young age and he was his only child, she fought for him all of his life

-She kept in contact with him during his exile and gave him important political advice

-She made a politically advantageous marriage that was crucial for Henry's victory at Bosworth as it gained him the support of powerful Stanley army

-Played a key role in the conspiracies against Richard III that helped Henry win

-She was given a huge position in Henry's government and had a lot of influence over him which suggests he trusted her hugely

How did Henry's upbringing shape his character? (4 points)

- Deeply suspicious of all but close family as he had seen large parts of the nobility turn their coats several times

-As France had supported him in his exile, he would have looked upon them much less negatively than other monarchs

-Grown up surrounded by instability so he knew only strong focused Kings held the throne

-Well versed in court politics due to exile spent at Breton and French courts so knew of the power of intrigue, gossip and flattery.

2 main Advantages of Henry not having many relatives or loyal supporters?

He didn't have lots of family to promise rewards to if he won, he didn't have to worry about family politics and jealousy or relatives who had a claim trying to usurp him

His lack of loyal supporters in England arguably made his invasion with French troops easier to coordinate as he didn't have to consult lots of parties for planning

Advantage of Henry not having many links with the nobility?

Hadn't had much chance to upset or defend the nobility so had a clean slate when Richard III fairly unpopular

Disadvantages of Henry not having many relatives or loyal supporters?

Few trusted men to call on for support for both his invasion and ruling. Family ties often strongest and he lacked these. Many nobles suspicious of young man with weak claim who had a Breton accent suddenly being King.

depended on good behaviour of the nobility until he built trust and had little support if people tried to rise up against him

What were Henry VII's aims (7)

-Remain King for as long as possible

-Establish his own dynasty and have an heir

-Establish an effective government

-Maintain law and order

-Control the nobility

-Establish secure revenue streams

-Cultivate improved f relations and avoid invasion

How did Henry deal with ex Yorkists? (2 details)

- He dated the official beginning of his reign to the day before Bosworth

-Ex Yorkists treated with suspicion but he gave most a second chance if persuaded of their loyalty

Why was backdating the beginning of his reign clever

so that he could declare all those who had supported Richard traitors and their lands would become crown property by attainder which raised funds and demonstrated strength

Who were Henry’s strongest rivals to the throne?

• Edward Earl of Warwick

• John Earl of Lincoln and Edmund Earl of Suffolk who were sons of Edward IV’s sister and John de la Pole

Example of Henry giving an ex yorkist a second chance once proven loyal (not case study list)

He kept the Earl of Surrey in prison until 1489 when he was finally convinced he was faithful and he went on to be one of his closest advisors

What happened to do with Henry’s claim in 1486

It was confirmed by Papal Bull

Why was the Pope’s support of Henry crucial

It reduced the threat of foreign invasion and gave him further legitimacy

What were the 2 most effective methods Henry used to secure his throne

Marrying Elizabeth of York as it was so successful in the long term by decisively ending the dynastic squabble

Securing support of the Pope as his opinion held a lot of international bearing and was literally God’s representative on Earth, slightly limited by fact that Popes change

4 short term ways that Henry ensured his claim wasn’t questioned

Imprisoned rival claimants

Backdated reign

Rewarded close supporters to ensure loyalty

Papal Bull

How did Henry reward his loyal supporters after he won the throne

Gave 11 public knighthoods and elevated Uncle Jasper to Dukedom of Bedford

When was the Battle of Bosworth

22nd August 1485

why was henry’s claim weak from both sides

His claim from his father was weak because he was half brother to Henry VI via his mother’s second marriage to Sir Owen Tudor

Claim from mother was through the Beaufort line, descended from John of Gaunt (Edward III’s third son) and his mistress, later wife. Their children were legitimised as adults, but their legitimacy remained disputed.

Why did Yorkist rivals such as Warwick technically have a stronger claim than Henry

House of York descended from Lionel Duke of Clarence who was Edward III’s second son whereas Lancastrian like came from John of Gaunt who was son number three

Why did Bosworth matter in terms of Henry’s claim to the throne (3 main points)

• Suggests God supported his claim as he won

• Main Yorkist rival was dead

• Demonstrated to nobility that they could have a strong, capable leader unlike previous ones and upheaval of WOTRs

Why did Henry hold his coronation before summoning Parliament

To ensure that they could never claim that they had made him King and use that to control him

What did Parliament look like in 1485

Commons had 74 MPs from the shires and 109 from the towns

When did Henry summon Parliament in 1485 and what was done

7th Nov and they passed many laws that reinforced Henry’s position like backdating Bosworth, passing Attainders and granted Henry the right to collect customs duties for life

How many acts of Attainder were passed in the first parliament

28 against Richard and his key supporters including Edward Earl of Warwick who was imprisoned age 10

When did Henry VII marry Elizabeth of York and why was this significant

After his own coronation so that nobody could claim that he got his legitimacy only through her and ensure he was king in his own right

When was Henry VII’s coronation

30th October 1485

When did Henry VII crown Elizabeth

Not until 2 years after his own to show that her position was derived from him and not vice versa

When was Prince Arthur born?

September 1486

When did Henry marry Elizabeth of York

18th January 1486

How was Sir William Stanley rewarded after Bosworth

He was made Lord Chamberlain

How was Sir Thomas Lovell rewarded by Henry and why

He had rebelled against Richard in 1483 and was made Chancellor of the Exchequer, treasurer of the household and Speaker of the House of Commons

How was Jasper Tudor rewarded for his loyalty

Made Duke of Bedford, Chief justice of Wales, Constable of all of the castles of Wales and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland

Why did Henry think it was safe to reward Jasper Tudor so extensively

He was 55 in 1485 and had no heirs so no heirs of Jasper would threaten Henry and the costly Bedford dukedom would return to Henry once he died

Who is the main example of Henry’s approach to ex yorkists being succesful

Thomas Howard earl of Surrey:

• had been close advisor of Richard and fought for him at Bosworth

• Imprisoned by Henry for 3 years

• Had opportunity to flee imprisonment during Simnel rebellion but refused which convinced Henry of loyalty

• Henry restored him to earldom of surrey in 1489

• Sent to put down Yorkshire rebellion and did so successfully

• Remained in North until 1499 as Lieutenant

• Lord Treasurer in 1501

What does the earl of Surrey’s situation demonstrate

Henry’s policy of leniency towards nobility worked well for him and secured their loyalty