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Questions and Answers
How did Henry VII manage to avoid capture when he was to be returned to England in 1476?
What significant event occurred following Edward IV’s death in 1483?
Who were the key figures that collaborated to organise Henry's invasion of England?
Where did Henry and his forces confront Richard III?
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What was the result of the Act of Parliament concerning John of Gaunt's descendants?
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What role did the Stanley brothers play in the battle against Richard III?
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Which family did Henry VII belong to through his maternal lineage?
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What challenge did Henry face after taking the throne as King of England?
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What year was Henry VII born?
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Who overthrew Henry VI in 1461?
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What symbol represented the House of York?
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Why was Henry VII's claim to the throne considered tenuous at birth?
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Study Notes
Ancestry and Background
- Henry VII’s mother, Margaret Beaufort, descended from John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
- John of Gaunt was the fourth son of King Edward III, a significant figure in the English kingdom.
- An Act of Parliament barred the Beauforts, descendants of John of Gaunt's third marriage, from the throne.
- Henry's paternal lineage included Edmund Tudor; Owen Tudor married Katherine of Valois, widow of Henry V.
- Born in 1457, Henry VII’s claim to the throne was initially tenuous, with little likelihood of kingship under Henry VI.
The Wars of the Roses
- Henry VI was overthrown in 1461 by Edward IV, a Yorkist whose lineage stemmed from Edward III's son, Richard, Duke of York.
- Conflicts known as the Wars of the Roses were marked by struggles between the Houses of York (white rose) and Lancaster (red rose).
- In 1470, Henry VI briefly regained the throne before being defeated by Edward IV at the Battle of Tewksbury in 1471.
- Henry VI was murdered in prison, leading Edward to seek the extinction of potential Lancaster claimants.
Exile and Threats
- In May 1471, fearing for their lives, Henry and his uncle Jasper fled to Brittany.
- Edward IV made several attempts to have Henry returned to England, with potential safety guarantees.
- In 1476, after being promised safety and restoration of rights, Henry almost returned but faked illness to evade capture.
Rise to Power
- Edward IV's unexpected death in 1483 led to the ascension of his son Edward V, whose reign was cut short by Richard III’s seizure of the throne.
- A coalition, including Margaret Beaufort and Elizabeth Wydville, helped plan Henry’s return to England to confront Richard III.
- On August 6, 1485, Henry landed in Wales with French mercenaries and built his forces en route to Leicester.
The Battle of Bosworth Field
- Henry’s forces engaged Richard III's army on August 22, 1485, at Bosworth Field.
- The Stanley brothers' last-minute support turned the tide against Richard III, who was killed in battle.
- Henry became King of England, marking a significant transition as he set out to fortify his rule and establish the Tudor dynasty.
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Description
Explore the complex ancestry of Henry VII, including his significant lineage from Margaret Beaufort and John of Gaunt. This quiz dives into the historical context surrounding Henry's claim to the throne and the implications of his family background. Test your knowledge of this crucial period in English history.
