Henry VII’s Foreign, Economic, and Consolidation Policies

Question 1

What were attainders used for during Henry’s reign?

Answer 1

Attainders were used to strip land, titles, and wealth from suspected traitors, mostly Yorkists.

A total of 138 attainders were passed, with only 46 reversed, indicating Henry’s selectivity about mercy.

Question 2

How many noble families were under bonds by 1507?

Answer 2

At least 36 out of 62 noble families were under bonds by 1507.

Bonds were financial agreements pledging loyalty under penalty of massive fines.

Question 3

What was the purpose of bonds and recognisances?

Answer 3

Bonds and recognisances were used to prevent rebellion and extract control by making nobles pay to behave.

An example is Thomas Grey, Marquis of Dorset, who was bound by a £10,000 recognisance.

Question 4

What did Henry do in 1486 regarding lands?

Answer 4

Henry reclaimed all lands granted away since 1455.

This significantly expanded crown lands and income.

Question 5

What was the effect of the Acts of Resumption on royal finances?

Answer 5

It strengthened royal finances and weakened over-mighty nobles.

Question 6

How many new earls and barons were created in 24 years?

Answer 6

Only 1 new earl and 5 barons were created in 24 years.

Question 7

What was the strategy behind maintaining tight control over the peerage?

Answer 7

No over-promotion meant no over-mighty subjects.

Question 8

What was the role of the Council Learned in the Law?

Answer 8

It was run by Empson & Dudley to enforce financial punishments.

Question 9

What was the average crown income when he took power in 1485?

Answer 9

Approximately £52,000/year.

Question 10

What was the crown income by 1509?

Answer 10

Increased to approximately £113,000/year.

Question 11

How does the crown income compare to France and Spain?

Answer 11

Still less than France (~£800,000) and Spain (~£1 million).

Question 12

What was the income from crown lands in 1485?

Answer 12

£29,000/year.

Question 13

What was the income from crown lands by 1509?

Answer 13

Increased to £42,000/year.

Question 14

What were the customs duties by 1509?

Answer 14

Rose to around £40,000/year.

Question 15

What are feudal dues and when were they used extensively?

Answer 15

Wardships, reliefs, marriages; used extensively after the 1504 Feudal Aid tax.

Question 16

What was the French pension from Étaples in 1492?

Answer 16

£5,000/year, totaling £159,000 by 1509.

Question 17

What were the legal fines brought in by the Council Learned?

Answer 17

Brought in £35,000/year by the 1500s.

Question 18

What type of taxes did Parliament rarely use during this period?

Answer 18

Parliamentary taxes were rarely used. He preferred benevolences (forced gifts from nobles).

Question 19

What event was triggered by heavy taxation to fund the Scottish invasion?

Answer 19

The Cornish Rebellion (1497) was triggered by heavy taxation to fund the Scottish invasion.

Question 20

What was the Magnus Intercursus?

Answer 20

The Magnus Intercursus (1496) restored trade with Burgundy after Warbeck support.

Question 21

What was the trade embargo on Burgundy?

Answer 21

The trade embargo on Burgundy (1493–1496) shows Henry would sacrifice profit for security.

Question 22

What were the Navigation Acts?

Answer 22

The Navigation Acts (1485, 1489) protected English merchants from foreign competition.

Question 23

What was the Malus Intercursus?

Answer 23

The 1505–1506 Malus Intercursus attempted stronger trade rights but was unpopular and dropped after Philip of Burgundy died.

Question 24

What was the Treaty of Étaples?

Answer 24

In 1492, Charles VIII of France agreed to expel Warbeck and pay Henry VII a pension of £5,000/year.

Total French pension over reign = £159,000.

Question 25

What was the outcome of Henry VII's involvement in the war with France?

Answer 25

Henry pulled back from war after just 15 days, avoiding a long campaign.

Question 26

What was the Treaty of Medina del Campo?

Answer 26

In 1489, it established the marriage of Prince Arthur to Catherine of Aragon, mutual protection, and trade benefits.

Question 27

What was the agreed dowry for Prince Arthur's marriage?

Answer 27

A dowry of 200,000 crowns was agreed, with half paid before Arthur's death.

Question 28

What happened after Arthur's marriage to Catherine?

Answer 28

Arthur died in 1502, destabilizing the alliance.

Question 29

What action did Henry take in 1504 regarding the Spanish succession?

Answer 29

Henry backed Juana and Philip of Burgundy, which alienated Ferdinand.

Question 30

What was the Truce of Ayton?

Answer 30

The Truce of Ayton in 1497 marked the first peace between England and Scotland since 1328.

Question 31

What was the Treaty of Perpetual Peace?

Answer 31

The Treaty of Perpetual Peace was established in 1502, leading to a long-term peace between England and Scotland until 1513.

Question 32

What significant marriage occurred in 1503?

Answer 32

The marriage of Margaret Tudor to James IV of Scotland took place in 1503.

Question 33

What was the trade embargo against Margaret of Burgundy?

Answer 33

In 1493, a trade embargo was imposed against Margaret of Burgundy for her support of Warbeck.

Question 34

What did the Magnus Intercursus achieve?

Answer 34

The Magnus Intercursus, established in 1496, ended the trade embargo and boosted trade.

Question 35

What was agreed upon in the Treaty of Windsor in 1506?

Answer 35

In the Treaty of Windsor, Philip of Burgundy agreed to hand over Edmund de la Pole, and Henry promised to support Philip’s claim to Castile.

Question 36

What was the Malus Intercursus?

Answer 36

The Malus Intercursus was a proposed treaty that was over-generous to England but was dropped after Philip’s death.