Henry Becomes King

Question 1

Where did his claim to the throne come from?

Answer 1

• Mother = Margaret Beaufort
  (direct descendent of Edward III through marriage of his 3rd son, John of Gaunt = M’s grandfather)
• BUT John of Gaunt and Catherine Swynford not married when Margaret’s grandfather born
• In father’s side, grandmother had been married to King of England before Owen Tudor

Question 2

Where did Henry leave England for, and why?

Answer 2

• Fled to Brittany during Wars of Roses
• Various deaths –> H7 main Lancastrian claimant to throne
• Henry taken to Brittany by Uncle, Jasper Tudor, for his own safety
• H7 spent 14 years in Brittany

Question 2

What happened in 1483, changing the state of the English throne?

Answer 2

• Edward IV died
• His brother, Richard Duke of Gloucester, to become Regent and rule on behalf of Edward’s sons
• Richard proclaimed himself King and the young princes put in Tower of London and disappeared
• Richard held widely responsible for their deaths

Question 3

Why was King Richard unpopular?

Answer 3

• Denied succession of Edward IV’s sons to throne by seizing it himself
• Widely held responsible for the deaths of King Edward IV’s sons
• Used ruthless methods in ruling
• Unsuccessful rebellion by Duke of Buckingham to weaken authority

Question 4

Who supported Henry in his pursuit of the English throne?

Answer 4

• The Earl of Oxford
• Jaspar Tudor
  (both above experienced soldiers)
• French King, Charles VIII offered financial support

Question 5

Why was the loyalty of the Stanley’s unsure during Battle of Bosworth?

Answer 5

• Lord Thomas Stanley = H7’s stepfather
• Richard has taken Thomas Stanley’s son hostage to ensure loyalty
• Stanleys both reluctant to support H7 incase he lost battle so ruined their reputation
• They observed from side until victor became evident

Question 6

How did William Stanley aid H7 in Battle of Bosworth?

Answer 6

• H7 approached Stanleys to ask for help
• Richard saw and sent personal guard to attack H7
• WS ordered cavalry to attack Richard (took him by surprise)
• Richard thrown from horse, rejoined fight but was cut down and killed
• Leader dead = royal forces broke up in confusion and fled

Question 7

Who were still threats to H7 after he had taken throne?

Answer 7

• De la Pole brothers
  (Edward IV’s sister married John de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk and had 2 sons)
• Margaret of Burgundy
  (Edward IV’s sister, powerful Yorkist figure)

Question 8

What were H7’s aims in taking the throne?

Answer 8

• Establish and secure his right to the throne
• Strengthen royal government by better control of the nobility
• Strengthen the monarchy and the kingdom for future by ensuring strong financial foundation

Question 9

How did H7 establish his power on throne?

Answer 9

• Married Elizabeth of York (ended Wars of Roses)
• Got coronated (signified approval of Church and God of his authority)
• Ensured coronation came before marriage so no one could say he gained throne through his wife
• Embarked on royal progress to north in April 1486
• Dated reign from day before Bosworth = Richard’s supporters seen as traitors and imprisoned or stripped of land or titles