Henry VII Rebellions

Flashcards about Lovell and Stafford (1486) , Lambert Simnel Uprising (1487), Yorkshire Tax Revolt (1489), Perkin Warbeck (1491–1499), Cornish Rebellion (1497), and White Rose Rebellion (1501–1506).

Who were Lovell and the Stafford brothers and what was their motivation?

They were Yorkist supporters of Richard III with weak claims to the throne and aimed to challenge Henry VII after Bosworth.

How did the Lovell and Stafford rebellion unfold geographically?

They left sanctuary and attempted to gather support in regions like Worcestershire but failed to rally significant backing.

Why did the Lovell and Stafford uprising fail?

It failed due to poor leadership, lack of a strong claim, and no internal or foreign support.

Who was Lambert Simnel pretending to be, and who trained him?

Simnel impersonated Edward, Earl of Warwick, and was trained by a priest to support the Yorkist cause.

Which foreign power supported Simnel and how?

Margaret of Burgundy, sister of Edward IV, provided 2,000 mercenaries to support Simnel’s cause.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Stoke (1487)?

Despite a skilled rebel army, Henry VII narrowly won; 3,000 royal troops died, exposing the fragility of his rule.

Why was the Simnel uprising nearly successful?

It gained foreign support, military strength, funding, and presented a plausible figurehead with a Yorkist claim.

Why did the Simnel rebellion ultimately fail?

Simnel was a child figurehead, and the real leaders were nobles using him to further their own interests.

Why did Henry VII levy new taxes in 1489?

To fund the Breton campaign against France using income tax instead of traditional methods, which caused discontent.

What sparked rebellion in Yorkshire?

Resentment over taxation while also defending the northern border led to the assassination of the Earl of Northumberland.

Who led the Yorkshire rebellion and how did it end?

John Egremont, a Percy illegitimate, led it, but the movement collapsed due to his unreliability and Henry’s swift suppression.

Why did the Yorkshire tax revolt fail?

Despite strong regional anger, poor leadership and the limited scope of the issue caused the uprising to die out.

Who did Perkin Warbeck claim to be and where did he begin his campaign?

He impersonated Richard, Duke of York, starting in Ireland but was quickly driven out by Henry’s forces.

How did France initially support Warbeck and why did it stop?

Charles VIII welcomed Warbeck as a prince but withdrew support after the Treaty of Étaples in 1492.

What were Warbeck’s connections with Burgundy and the Holy Roman Empire?

Margaret of Burgundy supported him, and Emperor Maximilian recognized him as King, though this caused a trade embargo.

What role did domestic conspirators play in Warbeck’s threat?

Key nobles, including William Stanley, were discovered supporting Warbeck, showing internal court vulnerability.

How did Scotland support Warbeck and why did it end?

James IV granted him money and marriage into the royal family, but support ended after the failed invasion and truce in 1497.

How did the Warbeck rebellion end?

He tried to rally Cornish support in 1497 but was captured in 1498 and executed in 1499.

What made Warbeck a near-success?

He had widespread foreign endorsement, a strong persona, and challenged Henry VII for almost a decade.

What led to Warbeck’s failure?

Inconsistent support, no substantial military backing, and Henry’s use of foreign policy to isolate him.

What triggered the Cornish rebellion of 1497?

Anger over a forced benevolence tax for defending the Scottish border, which seemed irrelevant to Cornwall.

Who led the rebellion and how many initially joined?

Michael An Gof and Thomas Flamank led 15,000 protestors from Cornwall into Devon and beyond.

Where did the Cornish rebels gain and lose support?

Gained support in Bristol and Salisbury, but failed to rally Kent, causing disillusionment and shrinking numbers.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Blackheath?

Henry's 25,000 troops crushed the unorganised rebels; around 2,000 protestors died and leaders were executed.

Why was the Cornish rebellion nearly successful?

It gained internal momentum with a focused grievance and had initial noble support.

Why did the Cornish rebellion fail?

The rebels lacked coordination, military training, foreign support, and ultimately leadership strength.

Who led the White Rose Rebellion and what was his background?

Edmund de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk, a Yorkist claimant who felt slighted after being denied a dukedom.

What foreign support did Suffolk receive?

He was sheltered by the Holy Roman Empire and supported by Yorkist sympathisers in Burgundy.

How did Henry VII respond to the White Rose threat?

He infiltrated Suffolk’s camp with informants and stayed vigilant after personal losses in 1503–1504.

How did Suffolk end up captured by Henry VII?

Philip of Burgundy was shipwrecked in England in 1506; Henry negotiated Suffolk’s handover in return for aid.

Why was the White Rose Rebellion potentially dangerous?

Suffolk had a strong dynastic claim and elite foreign backing from monarchs and nobles.

Why did the White Rose rebellion ultimately fail?

Suffolk lacked armed force, and Henry VII’s diplomatic manoeuvres and spy network neutralised the threat.