Henry VII claim after bosworth

Wars of the roses: lancastrian and yorkist struggle, battled between 1455-87

Plantagenet period faced instability from constant change in power.

Bosworth: Aug 22 1485, Henry with 500, Richard with probably double

Why did Henry win?

• Richard had bad reputation, allies switched sides, considered a usurper

• Henry had French support with troops and money

• Henry had some degree of yorkist support from promise of marrying elizabeth if he came to power

Positves for henry:

• divine right and gods provinence

• death of Richard

• Richards heir, edward died 1484

• powerful ricardian supporters, john howard and richard radcliffe - one of richards closest advisors

• Only ¼ of nobility fought for richard

• thomas stanley (step father) and william stanley (step uncle), supported him

Negatives for Henry:

• Loyalty: had betrayed richard

• Lesser cause for anti ricardian support

• Some of Richards supporters escaped, Chancellor Francis, Lord lovell and Stafford formed early opposition 1486-7

What did Henry do to secure the throne?

• Parliament declared him king

• Henry using parliament to punish his opponents: declared his reign began 22 aug 1485, day before Bosworth, declaring Richards supporters traitors

• Repealed Richards Titulus Regius - once announcing Edward and elizabeth’s marriage illegitimate, he needed legitimate heirs

• Marrying elizabeth Jan 1486, gave birth to arthur later that year - yorkist faction would be loyal to his children

• Rewarding supporters- jasper tudor made Duke of Bedford in 1485, Lord Stanley made Earl of Derby

• Dealing with Richards supporters and could seize their lands: John de la Pole swore loyalty and allowed to join royal Council, Henry Percy briefly imprisoned before allowed back into his estate, Thomas Howard in Tower until 1487

• 1486 act of resumption which allowed Henry to take back all crown lands previously granted away since 1455 = increased wealth

• Tactic if calculated mercy