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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?
England allied with and hugely dependent on trade with the Hapsburgs as England's economy was dependent on exporting their cloth via Antwerp
Due to alliance with Hapsburgs, relations with France poor and England 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?
-England ruled by increasingly unpopular Richard III who had a fairly tenuous claim to the throne
-Throne had changed hands regularly since 1399
-Henry VII had a very weak claim and hardly knew England as he had been in exile in France for 14 years
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?
He was not descended in a clear and obvious way from an English monarch, his claim came from and illegitimate line from a second son
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
-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?
- 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.
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
Advantages 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.
Lacked military support for his invasion, 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? (3 details)
- He dated the official beginning of his reign to the day before Bosworth so that he could declare all those who had supported Richard traitors and their lands would become crown property by attainder
-Ex Yorkists
