Henry VII - Consolidation of Power

Battle of Bosworth date

22nd August 1485

How many troops were there?

Henry - 3k

Richard - 10k + 140 cannons

What nobles held their troops?

Earl of Northumberland - died
The Stanley brothers (6k men)

Why was it important?

Destroyed the House of York - removed their most viable claimant to the Throne
Led to the start of the Tudor dynasty

How was Henry prepared for Kingship?

Henry was raised as an heir to a great noble title
Matured surrounded by the Duke’s court in Brittany
Experienced in court politics

However, never totally involved in kingship nor decision-making
Observed as a little-regarded outsider

Henry’s aims in 1485

Control the North
Remove people with stronger claimants - Warwick
Establish Tudor dynasty

Problem 1 - spent many years in exile in France + relatively unknown in England

Celebrated a glorious coronation (Oct 1485)
In feudal law, the coronation required the nobility to swear an oath of loyalty to the King

Greatest Tudor royal progress (April 1486)
A glittering tour around the country
Demonstrate his power + subjects to show their loyalty

Problem 2 - no outsiders challenged the succession of the Tudor line after his death

Arthur quickly born in September

Margaret, Henry, and Mary born afterwards

His children could directly inherit the throne

Problem 3 - gain support of the Yorkists

Papal dispensation to marry Elizabeth of York (Pope Leo XIII) - ordained by God

Symbolically, a significant reconciliation of the two warring factions, reducing turmoil

Placated Ricardian supporters by still allowing them to have a prominent Yorkist on the throne

Problem 3 - control lands of England, bringing him wealth

Passed Act of Resumption: reclaimed all Crown lands granted away since 1455

Land income rose: from 29k - 42k (1509)
Crown lands increased by 5x by the end of Henry VII than Henry VI

Financially independent + less reliant on Parliament
Reduced power of nobility

Problem 4 - deeply suspicious of the governing class (nobility)

Reconstructed the Privy Council:

Reduced from 227 members (under Yorkists) - 100 (only 6-8 councillors handled real, day-to-day decision-making
More efficient, loyal + professional

Filled them with his supporters + loyalists:
John Morton (Chief Advisor in early reign)
Richard Fox (diplomat + administrator)

Reginald Bray (one of Henry’s most trusted administrators)

Jasper Tudor (Uncle, trusted family ally)
John de Vere (loyal supporter - Bosworth)

Reduced power of nobility - gave rise to ‘new men’
Increased political control

Problem 5 - people thinking he owed his crown to his new wife

Married 5 months after winning Bosworth

Problem 6 - establish power dynamic with Parliament

First meeting with Parliament 1 week after coronation

Assumed the throne in his own right

Problem 7 - divine right to be King

Appealed for papal confirmation of his title - highest authority under God
Secured obedience of the Clergy

Problem 8 - eradicate country of stronger claimants to the throne

Imprisoned Earl of Warwick (nephew of Richard III + strongest Yorkist claim)

John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln, kept close to the King - professed loyalty to him

Problem 9 - punish those who supported Richard III in Bosworth

Backdated start of his reign to 1 day before Bosworth
Any supporters of Richard - declared traitors as going against their King

Through Act of Attainders:
All land + offices forfeited to the King

138 Nobles attainted under Henry
46 later reversed
Going back on himself? However, allowed them to conditionally gain land back through loyalty

William Stanley (1495) - gave 1k a year
Earl of Westmorland - fined 10k a year

Controlled obedience and loyalty

Problem 10 - international prestige

Look at Foreign Policy flashcards