Henry VII and the War of the Roses

Henry VII ascended the throne after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, ending the Plantagenet dynasty and inaugurating the Tudor era.

His claim to the throne was considered weak due to his lineage tracing back to an illegitimate son of John of Gaunt, the third son of Edward III.

Henry VII's mother, Margaret Beaufort, made him a Lancastrian claimant, as other contenders were absent.

Henry consolidated power after becoming king, as he faced numerous threats from those seeking his downfall.

Because of his lineage through an illegitimate son, many Catholic European monarchs did not recognize Henry's claim to the throne.

Henry's army, composed of about 5,000 men, clashed with Richard III's force of 10,000 – 15,000 soldiers at the Battle of Bosworth.

During the battle, Henry positioned his troops defensively, with archers at the front, while Richard took a strategic position on a hill with archers leading his line.

Thomas Stanley, Henry's stepfather, played a crucial role at Bosworth, with his army positioned strategically between Richard and Henry's forces, ultimately joining Henry's side during the battle.

Henry VII's claim to the throne was based on his victory at the Battle of Bosworth Field, and not on the approval of Parliament, which is why he arranged for his coronation to take place before Parliament was convened.

Henry VII's marriage to Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV, signified the union of the Houses of York and Lancaster, ending the Wars of the Roses and consolidating his claim to the throne.

Many Yorkists still regarded Henry VII as a usurper and a number of potential claimants to the throne remained.

Margaret of Burgundy, sister of Richard III, was a powerful figure who posed a serious threat to Henry VII. She provided financial support to Yorkist claimants and used her influence to destabilize his rule.

The Lovell and Stafford rebellion was the first major uprising against Henry VII, sparked by dissatisfaction with his rule and the desire to restore the Yorkist monarchy.

This rebellion was caused by resentment over the financial burden of the French war, particularly in Yorkshire, which was exempt from contributing funds. The Earl of Northumberland, tasked with leading the war effort, was killed by rebels, further fueling the unrest.

The Cornish rebellion occurred because of a parliamentary vote to raise funds for a war against Scotland, despite no actual war taking place. The Cornish felt that they shouldn't bear the financial burden of a war not affecting them.

Henry VII's use of pre-dated reign allowed him to punish anyone who opposed him during his reign, even if they were not actively involved in any rebellion. It was a powerful tool he used to consolidate his power.

Henry VII's strategic use of rewarding key supporters helped him secure loyalties and consolidate his power. This included granting titles, positions, and other forms of recognition.

Henry VII's marriage to Elizabeth of York strategically united the two warring houses, York and Lancaster, symbolizing a new era of peace and stability. This move was carefully planned and timed to cement his position.

Henry VII's appointment of trusted individuals to key positions in his council helped him control and influence political decisions, further solidifying his control over the government.

Henry VII's use of attainder against Yorkists was a legal tool used to strip them of their rights and possessions. This was a harsh measure that demonstrated his determination to eliminate any potential threats to his rule.

Henry VII's strategies for securing his dynasty included using pre-dated reign, rewarding key supporters, arranging for the detention of rival claimants, making key appointments to his council, enacting acts of attainder against Yorkists, marrying Elizabeth of York, and the birth of his heir Prince Arthur.

Henry VII's use of sanctuary for future traitors against him was banned because it was used by his opponents to evade capture and punishment.

The Earl of Northumberland was killed by rebels during the Yorkshire rebellion, further fueling their resistance to Henry VII's rule.

The Cornish Rebellion of 1497 was a relatively small-scale uprising against Henry VII, primarily originating from Cornwall and lacking widespread support.

The Cornish rebellion was sparked due to heavy taxes imposed by Henry VII. The rebels demanded a repeal of the taxes and even reached Blackheath near London, but were ultimately defeated by the king's forces.

Despite reaching Blackheath, the Cornish rebellion lacked significant support outside Cornwall and failed to gain notable aristocratic leadership. This, along with the absence of a clear plan to overthrow Henry VII, contributed to their defeat.

Henry VII's decisive action and refusal to negotiate with the rebels, coupled with his superior military force, effectively crushed the uprising and prevented it from gaining any substantial momentum.

The De La Poles, a Yorkist family, posed a persistent threat to Henry VII's reign through their claims to the throne and their potential to stir up rebellions.

The Earl of Suffolk, a De La Pole, was a figure of suspicion due to his family's history of betrayal and his own perceived ambitions for the throne. While he outwardly displayed loyalty to Henry VII, his actions and connections raised concerns.

The Earl of Suffolk's flight to the court of Maximilian, the Holy Roman Emperor, marked a significant turning point, as it signaled his open defiance of Henry VII and provided a focal point for Yorkist supporters abroad.

Henry VII, fearing a foreign-backed invasion by the Earl of Suffolk and his Yorkist supporters, took active steps to counter the threat, including imprisoning Suffolk's relatives and bolstering his spy network.

The arrival of Philip of Burgundy in England, due to a storm, provided a unique opportunity for Henry VII to capture the Earl of Suffolk. By releasing Philip in exchange for Suffolk, Henry VII effectively neutralized a major Yorkist threat.

Following the failure of the Lovell rebellion, Yorkists sought a new strategy to overthrow Henry VII. They needed a figurehead with a strong claim to the throne to rally around, as well as financial and military support.

Lambert Simnel, a young boy, was chosen by the Yorkists as a pretender to the throne, claiming to be the Earl of Warwick, a Yorkist candidate.

Margaret of Burgundy, a staunch Yorkist supporter, recognized Simnel as her nephew and provided him with financial and military backing, along with a base of operations in the Netherlands.

The Battle of Stoke Field marked the culmination of Simnel's rebellion, where his forces faced off against Henry VII's army. Despite initial successes, the rebels were ultimately defeated, leading to Simnel's capture and the end of his claim.

Perkin Warbeck, a Flemish cloth trader, posed a significant challenge to Henry VII by claiming to be Richard of York, one of the princes in the Tower. His rise as a pretender to the throne spanned over eight years, constantly disrupting Henry VII's reign.

Perkin Warbeck was a pretender to the English throne, claiming to be Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York (the 'lost' son of Edward IV) and therefore with a strong claim to the throne over Henry VII.; He received support from various European powers in his attempts to overthrow Henry VII.

The attempt to overthrow Henry VII was supported by some members of the nobility who might have had Yorkist sympathies and were unhappy with Henry VII's policies or his weak claim to the throne.

In 1497, a rebellion broke out in Cornwall, which was a stronghold of Yorkist support. Warbeck attempted to exploit this rebellion by claiming leadership, hoping to gain support and potentially overthrow Henry VII. The rebellion was ultimately crushed, however, due to a lack of support and Warbeck's inability to solidify his power.

The final attempt to seize the throne was unsuccessful, and Warbeck was captured and executed, largely because of his lack of support and his failure to capitalize on the rebellions.

Henry VII strategically used the execution of Warbeck to eliminate potential Yorkist claimants and project his own image of strength. Executions, like that of Warbeck, were a tool to consolidate power and eliminate any threat to his rulership.

Henry VII was able to defeat all rebellions, including those led by Perkin Warbeck, suggesting he was successful in consolidating his power and ensuring his claim to the throne. This suggests he had the necessary skills and strategies to contain threats to his rule.

Despite his success in consolidating his power, Henry VII still faced vulnerability due to betrayals of his officials, such as Sir William Stanley. This suggests that even though he managed to suppress challenges to his rule, he was always trying to manage these vulnerabilities in his power and maintain control.

Henry VII consolidated his dynasty and achieved long-term stability by ensuring the succession of his son, Henry VIII, by using legal and political tactics. This included negotiating alliances with other European powers and arranging marriages to secure his dynasty.