Henry VII - Consolidation Of Power

Question 1

Who was Henry VII and what was his claim to the throne?

Answer 1

Through his mother Margaret Beaufort, from the illegitimate Beaufort line of John of Gaunt. His claim was weak and mostly symbolic.

Question 2

When and how did Henry VII become king?

Answer 2

He won the Battle of Bosworth on 22 August 1485, defeating Richard III.

Question 3

Why did Henry VII date his reign from 21 August 1485?

Answer 3

To label Richard III’s supporters as traitors and legally punish them.

Question 4

What was Henry’s first action after becoming king?

Answer 4

He arranged his coronation before Parliament met to assert his authority didn’t depend on their approval.

Question 5

Why was marrying Elizabeth of York important?

Answer 5

It united the houses of York and Lancaster, symbolising national unity with the Tudor Rose.

Question 6

When did Henry marry Elizabeth of York?

Answer 6

January 1486.

Question 7

Why was Prince Arthur’s birth significant?

Answer 7

It secured the Tudor dynasty with a legitimate male heir and stabilised Henry’s rule.

Question 8

How did Henry use propaganda?

Answer 8

He promoted the Tudor Rose, royal portraits, and used historians like Polydore Vergil to promote his legitimacy.

Question 9

What was the Act of Resumption (1486)?

Answer 9

It restored all Crown lands granted away since 1455 to increase royal income and weaken the nobility.

Question 10

Why was Henry’s coronation before Parliament significant?

Answer 10

It emphasised that his kingship was based on divine right, not Parliament.

Question 11

How did Henry control the nobility?

Answer 11

Through Acts of Attainder, bonds and recognisances, financial penalties, and limiting retaining.

Question 12

What are Acts of Attainder?

Answer 12

Parliamentary acts used to declare someone guilty of treason without trial, confiscating their land and wealth.

Question 13

How many attainders did Henry use in total?

Answer 13

138 passed, 46 reversed — showing both punishment and reward.

Question 14

What were bonds and recognisances?

Answer 14

Legal contracts that required nobles to pay large fines if they were disloyal.

Question 15

How many noble families were under financial control by 1509?

Answer 15

Approximately 36 out of 62 noble families.

Question 16

What was retaining and how did Henry limit it?

Answer 16

The practice of nobles keeping private armies. It was restricted in 1485 and fined in 1504 unless licensed.

Question 17

What was the Council Learned in the Law?

Answer 17

A special council to manage financial control over the nobility, especially through bonds and recognisances.

Question 18

Who led the Council Learned?

Answer 18

Sir Reginald Bray, later Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley.

Question 19

Why was the Council Learned feared?

Answer 19

It bypassed normal legal systems and aggressively enforced financial penalties.

Question 20

What happened to Empson and Dudley?

Answer 20

They were arrested and executed after Henry’s death due to their unpopularity.

Question 21

Who was Lambert Simnel?

Answer 21

A pretender who impersonated the Earl of Warwick, supported by Yorkists and Margaret of Burgundy.

Question 22

When was the Battle of Stoke Field?

Answer 22

1487 — Henry defeated Simnel’s forces, ending the rebellion.

Question 23

What happened to Simnel after the rebellion?

Answer 23

He was spared and given a job in the royal kitchens.

Question 24

Why was the Battle of Stoke significant?

Answer 24

It ended major Yorkist resistance and marked the real end of the Wars of the Roses.

Question 25

Who was Perkin Warbeck?

Answer 25

A pretender who claimed to be Richard, Duke of York (a lost Prince in the Tower).

Question 26

Which countries supported Warbeck?

Answer 26

France, Burgundy, Holy Roman Empire, and Scotland.

Question 27

When was Warbeck captured and executed?

Answer 27

Captured in 1497, executed in 1499 after plotting with the Earl of Warwick.

Question 28

Why was the Earl of Warwick executed?

Answer 28

To eliminate a legitimate Yorkist threat and appease Spain for Prince Arthur’s marriage.

Question 29

What was the Lovell and Stafford Rebellion (1486)?

Answer 29

Early Yorkist uprising, quickly defeated, with Lovell fleeing and Stafford executed.

Question 30

What was the Cornish Rebellion (1497)?

Answer 30

A tax revolt caused by funding for war with Scotland. Rebels marched to London but were defeated.

Question 31

What was the Royal Council?

Answer 31

A group of Henry’s most trusted advisors from legal and noble backgrounds who advised the king.

Question 32

What was the Star Chamber?

Answer 32

A court established in 1487 to prosecute noble misbehaviour and enforce royal justice.

Question 33

What financial system did Henry prefer?

Answer 33

The Chamber system — more direct and efficient than the Exchequer for collecting revenue.

Question 34

How did Henry improve royal finances?

Answer 34

Through feudal dues, increased customs duties, crown lands, and exploiting wardships.

Question 35

What are feudal dues?

Answer 35

Medieval payments owed to the king by nobles — Henry revived them for money and control.

Question 36

What were wardships?

Answer 36

Henry managed the lands of underage heirs and took profits until they came of age.

Question 37

How did Henry use Parliament?

Answer 37

He summoned it infrequently, mainly to legitimise his rule and raise taxes for war.

Question 38

Who were Justices of the Peace (JPs)?

Answer 38

Local officials responsible for enforcing law and order. Their role was expanded under Henry.

Question 39

What was the function of the Council of the North?

Answer 39

Maintained order and royal authority in the traditionally Yorkist north of England.

Question 40

Why did Henry use small councils for finance and law?

Answer 40

They were more efficient, centralised power, and limited the independence of nobles.

Question 41

What was the Treaty of Medina del Campo (1489)?

Answer 41

England and Spain agreed on mutual protection, no support for pretenders, and Arthur's marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

Question 42

What was the Treaty of Étaples (1492)?

Answer 42

France agreed to stop supporting Warbeck and paid Henry £5,000 a year as a pension.

Question 43

What was the Magnus Intercursus (1496)?

Answer 43

A major trade agreement with Burgundy that boosted English exports.

Question 44

What was the Treaty of Ayton (1497)?

Answer 44

Peace treaty with Scotland after Warbeck’s failure — led to James IV’s marriage to Margaret Tudor in 1503.

Question 45

Why was Arthur’s death in 1502 a problem?

Answer 45

It endangered the Spanish alliance and left only Henry’s second son, Henry, as heir.

Question 46

What happened to Catherine of Aragon after Arthur died?

Answer 46

She remained in England and was later betrothed to Prince Henry (future Henry VIII).

Question 47

Why was Margaret Tudor’s marriage to James IV significant?

Answer 47

It created peace with Scotland and eventually led to the Union of the Crowns in 1603.

Question 48

Why did Henry avoid war?

Answer 48

War was costly and could lead to instability — he preferred diplomacy and trade.

Question 49

What was the Malus Intercursus (1506)?

Answer 49

An attempted trade deal with Burgundy favouring England, but it was never fully enforced.

Question 50

How did Henry use dynastic marriages?

Answer 50

To secure alliances, improve legitimacy, and build international recognition.

Question 51

What does historian John Guy say about Henry’s reign?

Answer 51

He calls it “a new monarchy” that created stability through centralised control.

Question 52

What was Henry’s attitude to the nobility?

Answer 52

Cautious and suspicious — he kept them weak to avoid rebellion.

Question 53

How did Henry pass on a secure crown to Henry VIII?

Answer 53

Through diplomacy, suppression of rivals, and financial strength.

Question 54

Why was Henry VII considered a usurper?

Answer 54

He took the throne through battle, not inheritance — making consolidation vital.

Question 55

How did Henry handle internal threats overall?

Answer 55

With force when necessary but often with calculated leniency to gain loyalty.

Question 56

How did Henry manage the image of his kingship?

Answer 56

He promoted himself as divinely chosen and the bringer of peace and unity.

Question 57

What role did Margaret Beaufort play?

Answer 57

Henry’s mother helped arrange his marriage, maintain his image, and build alliances.

Question 58

Why was Elizabeth of York politically sidelined?

Answer 58

Henry wanted to emphasise that he ruled by his own right, not through marriage.

Question 59

What long-term legacy did Henry VII leave?

Answer 59

A strong financial foundation, centralised monarchy, and a peaceful succession.

Question 60

What was the final threat Henry faced before his death?

Answer 60

Edmund de la Pole (Earl of Suffolk), a Yorkist claimant, imprisoned in 1506.