part one: Henry VII (1485-1509)

Question 1

Historical context – monarchy in the late 15th century

Answer 1

State of Monarchy: Profound instability & weakness.
Causes: Prolonged Wars of the Roses.
Impact:
Royal authority severely eroded.
Depleted crown finances.
Overly powerful nobility (livery & maintenance).
Low public confidence in stability.
Challenge for New Monarch: Need for peace, strong governance, settled succession.
AQA Relevance: Explains Henry VII’s aims: consolidate power, restore royal authority, stabilise finances, secure dynasty.

Question 2

Wars of the Roses

Answer 2

What: Dynastic civil wars (c. 1455-1485) for English throne.
Who: Houses of Lancaster (red rose) vs. York (white rose).
Causes: Deposition of Richard II, weakness of Henry VI, noble ambitions.
Key Event: Ended with Battle of Bosworth Field (1485).
Outcome: Henry Tudor (Lancastrian claimant) defeated Richard III (Yorkist king).
AQA Relevance: Created monarchy’s fragility. Explains societal divisions, disillusionment, and precariousness of throne. Shaped Henry VII’s need to prevent future instability.

Question 3

Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond – family background

Answer 3

Lancastrian Descent: Through his mother, Margaret Beaufort.
Beaufort Legitimacy: Questionable; descended from John of Gaunt & mistress, later legitimised but excluded from succession by Parliament (1407).
Paternal Lineage: Father Edmund Tudor, son of Owen Tudor (Welsh) & Catherine of Valois (widow of Henry V). No direct royal blood.
Youth: Spent largely in exile in Brittany, fleeing Yorkist persecution.
AQA Relevance: Explains why his claim was weak & why he faced challenges/pretenders. Highlights his need to establish legitimacy, impacting domestic & foreign policies.

Question 4

Character

Answer 4

Key Traits: Cautious, pragmatic, intelligent, politically astute, reserved, secretive.
Development: Shaped by years in exile, constant threat.
Approach to Rule: Methodical, shrewd financier, patient, determined. Less interested in glory, more in stability and consolidation.
AQA Relevance: Directly influenced his governance. His prudence shaped financial policies (e.g., Bonds & Recognisances) and cautious foreign policy. Helps explain how he restored monarchical power.

Question 5

Weak claim to the throne

Answer 5

Reason 1 (Female Line): Claim through his mother, Margaret Beaufort.
Reason 2 (Beaufort Exclusion): Beaufort line legally barred from throne by 1407 Act of Parliament.
Reason 3 (Paternal Line): Not royal.
Impact:
Vulnerable to challenges from other claimants/pretenders.
Legitimacy constantly questioned.
AQA Relevance: Fundamental to Henry VII’s reign. Explains immediate actions (dating reign, marriage to Elizabeth of York), pursuit of financial security, treatment of rivals, emphasis on propaganda. Central to “How effectively did Tudors restore power?”

Question 6

Richard III – usurper

Answer 6

Accession (1483): Became Protector for young nephews (Princes in the Tower).
Usurpation: Declared princes illegitimate, seized crown.
Princes’ Disappearance: Presumed murder while in his custody; led to widespread suspicion & condemnation.
Public Perception: Branded him a ruthless usurper, eroding support for Yorkist monarchy.
AQA Relevance: Created opportunity for Henry Tudor’s invasion & claim at Bosworth. Supported Henry VII’s narrative of being a divinely ordained deliverer of stability. Crucial for establishing the Tudor dynasty.

Question 7

princes in the tower

Answer 7

What: Edward V and Richard, Duke of York, the young nephews of Richard III.
Significance: Their disappearance after being placed in the Tower of London by Richard III fueled the narrative of Richard as a usurper, undermining his legitimacy and paving the way for Henry Tudor’s claim.
AQA Relevance: Contributed to the instability that Henry VII inherited and the need to establish his own legitimacy.

Question 8

Battle of Bosworth

Answer 8

What: The decisive battle on 22 August 1485, where Henry Tudor defeated Richard III.
Significance: Marked the end of the Wars of the Roses and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty.
AQA Relevance: Henry VII’s victory was the foundation of his reign, allowing him to claim the throne by right of conquest.

Question 9

the stanleys

Answer 9

Who: A powerful noble family, particularly Thomas Stanley and his brother William.
Significance: Their last-minute switch to Henry’s side at Bosworth was crucial to his victory.
AQA Relevance: Henry’s reliance on them highlights his initial vulnerability and the need to reward key supporters.

Question 10

Consolidation of power – short-term priorities

Answer 10

What: Henry VII’s immediate actions to secure his position.
Significance: These steps were crucial for establishing his dynasty and preventing further conflict.
AQA Relevance: Directly addresses the question of how effectively Henry VII consolidated power.

Question 11

Pre-dated reign

Answer 11

What: Henry dated the start of his reign to the day before the Battle of Bosworth (21 August 1485).
Significance: Allowed him to declare Richard III’s supporters as traitors, enabling Acts of Attainder and land confiscations.
AQA Relevance: A strategic move to weaken opposition and strengthen his financial position.

Question 12

Marriage to Elizabeth of York

Answer 12

What: His marriage in 1486 to Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV.
Significance: United the houses of Lancaster and York, symbolizing the end of the Wars of the Roses.
AQA Relevance: A key step in legitimizing his rule and securing the succession.

Question 13

Tudor Rose

Answer 13

What: A symbol combining the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York.
Significance: A visual representation of the union between the two houses, promoting peace and unity.
AQA Relevance: Part of Henry’s propaganda campaign to solidify his dynasty.

Question 14

Propaganda

Answer 14

What: Henry VII’s use of various methods to promote his image and legitimacy.
Significance: To reinforce his claim and discourage challenges.
AQA Relevance: Demonstrates his understanding of the importance of perception and image in maintaining power.

Question 15

Tudor myth

Answer 15

What: A carefully constructed narrative of the Tudor dynasty as a period of peace and prosperity after the chaos of the Wars of the Roses.
Significance: To legitimize Tudor rule and enhance their standing in English history.
AQA Relevance: Shows how Henry VII sought to shape historical memory to his advantage.

Question 16

Progress

Answer 16

What: Royal journeys around the country.
Significance: To display royal power, administer justice, and gauge public opinion.
AQA Relevance: Demonstrates Henry’s active engagement in governing and maintaining control.

Question 17

Summoned Parliament

Answer 17

What: Called Parliament soon after Bosworth.
Significance: To grant him taxation rights and recognize his claim to the throne.
AQA Relevance: Shows his strategic use of Parliament to legitimize his rule and gain financial support.

Question 18

Secured the succession

Answer 18

What: Henry’s efforts to ensure a smooth transition of power after his death.
Significance: A primary goal, given the instability of the previous century.
AQA Relevance: Directly related to the question of how effectively the Tudors developed the powers of the monarchy.

Question 19

Arthur

Answer 19

Who: Henry’s eldest son, married to Catherine of Aragon.
Significance: His marriage was a key alliance, but his early death created a succession crisis.
AQA Relevance: Highlights the fragility of Henry’s plans and the importance of securing the dynasty.

Question 20

Acts of Attainder

Answer 20

What: Laws declaring individuals guilty of treason, often post facto.
Significance: Used to confiscate land and wealth from enemies, enriching the crown and weakening opposition.
AQA Relevance: A key tool in Henry’s consolidation of power and financial policies.

Question 21

Tonnage & poundage

Answer 21

What: Traditional customs duties on imports and exports.
Significance: A vital source of royal revenue.
AQA Relevance: Demonstrates Henry’s focus on improving royal finances.

Question 22

Yorkists

Answer 22

Who: Supporters of the House of York, potential threats to Henry’s rule.
Significance: Their existence fueled plots and rebellions against Henry.
AQA Relevance: Explains Henry’s paranoia and his harsh treatment of potential rivals.

Question 23

Polydore Vergil

Answer 23

Who: An Italian historian commissioned by Henry VII to write a history of England.
Significance: His work presented a favorable view of Henry and the Tudor dynasty.
AQA Relevance: An example of Tudor propaganda and the shaping of historical memory.

Question 24

Historiography

Answer 24

What: Different historians’ interpretations of Henry VII and his reign.
Significance: Shows that history is debated and that there are multiple perspectives.
AQA Relevance: Essential for Component 1, Section A (Interpretations).

Question 25

Francis Bacon

Answer 25

Who: A 17th-century historian. Significance: His biography of Henry VII presented a more critical view, emphasizing his avarice and ruthlessness. AQA Relevance: A contrasting interpretation to Vergil, showing the complexity of Henry's reign.

Question 26

john guy

Answer 26

Who: A modern historian. Significance: Offers a more balanced assessment of Henry VII, acknowledging both his strengths and weaknesses. AQA Relevance: Provides a nuanced perspective on Henry's consolidation of power.

Question 27

Wallace MacCaffrey

Answer 27

Who: A historian focusing on the Tudor period. Significance: His work explores the political and social dynamics of Henry VII's reign. AQA Relevance: Contributes to our understanding of the challenges Henry faced.

Question 28

Christine Carpenter

Answer 28

Who: A historian specializing in late medieval England. Significance: Her work provides context for the period leading up to Henry VII's reign. AQA Relevance: Helps us understand the legacy of the Wars of the Roses and the state of the monarchy.

Question 29

Yorkist claimants

Answer 29

Who: Individuals who posed a threat to Henry VII's throne, claiming a stronger Yorkist lineage. Significance: Their challenges tested Henry's authority and forced him to take strong measures to secure his dynasty. AQA Relevance: Explains a major preoccupation of Henry's reign and his strategies for dealing with internal threats.

Question 30

Margaret of Burgundy

Answer 30

Who: Sister of Edward IV and Richard III; Duchess of Burgundy. Significance: A staunch Yorkist opponent of Henry VII. She provided refuge, financial support, and military backing for Yorkist pretenders (Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck), making her a persistent and dangerous foreign enemy. AQA Relevance: Highlights the ongoing threat from exiled Yorkists and foreign powers to Henry's stability and how he had to manage external threats to secure his dynasty.

Question 31

Lovell & the Staffords rebellion (1486)

Answer 31

What: The first significant rebellion against Henry VII, led by Viscount Lovell and the Stafford brothers. Significance: Occurred early in Henry's reign, testing his authority. It was relatively small-scale and easily suppressed (Lovell fled, Staffords executed), demonstrating Henry's immediate grip on power. AQA Relevance: Shows Henry's immediate response to early threats to his consolidation of power and his willingness to use harsh measures.

Question 32

Lambert Simnel (1487)

Answer 32

Who: A boy impostor, put forward by Yorkist conspirators (led by John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln, and supported by Margaret of Burgundy) to impersonate the Earl of Warwick. Significance: Represented a more serious challenge than Lovell's rebellion due to foreign backing (German mercenaries) and noble involvement. He was crowned "King Edward VI" in Ireland. AQA Relevance: Illustrates the continued fragility of Henry's position and the persistent threat of Yorkist claimants, forcing Henry to prove his military capability at the Battle of Stoke.

Question 33

Earl of Lincoln (John de la Pole)

Answer 33

Who: Nephew of Edward IV and Richard III, previously designated as Richard III's heir. Significance: A key Yorkist plotter who orchestrated the Lambert Simnel rebellion, providing it with vital noble leadership and a legitimate Yorkist connection. His death at the Battle of Stoke removed a significant dynastic threat. AQA Relevance: Exemplifies the continued danger from disgruntled high-ranking nobility and highlights Henry's effectiveness in eliminating such threats.

Question 34

Battle of Stoke (1487)

Answer 34

What: The decisive battle where Henry VII's forces defeated the Yorkist rebels led by the Earl of Lincoln and Lambert Simnel's army. Significance: A more serious military encounter than Bosworth for Henry. Its victory firmly established Henry's military supremacy and effectively ended the threat from Yorkist pretenders for a decade, bolstering his claim by conquest. AQA Relevance: A critical event in Henry's consolidation of power, demonstrating his ability to overcome significant military challenges and secure his throne.

Question 35

Bonds of good behaviour

Answer 35

What: Written agreements where individuals promised to pay a sum of money if they failed to fulfill certain obligations or disobeyed the King. Significance: A highly effective, and often resented, instrument of financial control and political intimidation used by Henry VII to enforce loyalty and good behaviour, particularly among the nobility. Failure to comply meant ruinous fines. AQA Relevance: A prime example of Henry's use of finance and the law to increase royal power and control the nobility, directly answering "How effectively did the Tudors restore and develop the powers of the monarchy?"

Question 36

Perkin Warbeck

Answer 36

Who: A boy impostor who claimed to be Richard, Duke of York (one of the "Princes in the Tower"). Significance: The most persistent and prolonged threat to Henry VII, lasting from 1491 to 1499. He gained international recognition and support from rulers like Maximilian I (Holy Roman Emperor) and James IV of Scotland, forcing Henry into expensive diplomatic and military actions. AQA Relevance: Shows the enduring threat of pretenders, the complexities of foreign relations, and Henry's sustained efforts to secure the succession over many years.

Question 37

Earl of Warwick (Edward Plantagenet)

Answer 37

Who: The last genuine male Plantagenet claimant, nephew of Edward IV and Richard III, and the figure Lambert Simnel impersonated. Significance: Despite being innocent and held in the Tower by Henry, his very existence made him a constant magnet for Yorkist plots (e.g., Simnel, Warbeck). Henry's execution of Warwick in 1499 (after Warbeck's rebellion) was a ruthless but final step in eliminating dynastic threats. AQA Relevance: Illustrates the lengths Henry went to secure his dynasty, even resorting to executing an innocent potential rival, reflecting the ruthless side of Tudor consolidation.

Question 38

Edmund de la Pole & Richard de la Pole

Answer 38

Who: Brothers, nephews of Edward IV (sons of his sister, Elizabeth of York, Duchess of Suffolk). Edmund was the last significant Yorkist claimant. Significance: Edmund fled England and became a rallying point for Yorkist exiles, forcing Henry to negotiate with foreign powers (e.g., Philip of Burgundy) for his rendition. Richard ("The White Rose") continued the threat from abroad after Edmund's capture. AQA Relevance: Represents the lingering nature of Yorkist threats well into Henry's reign and his continued reliance on espionage and international diplomacy to protect his throne.

Question 39

Stanley conspiracy (1495)

Answer 39

What: A plot involving Sir William Stanley, Henry VII's step-uncle and a key figure at Bosworth, who was implicated in supporting Perkin Warbeck. Significance: A profound shock to Henry, as it involved one of his closest and most trusted advisors. Stanley's execution demonstrated Henry's absolute intolerance of treason, regardless of past loyalty or status, and instilled fear in the nobility. AQA Relevance: A clear example of Henry's ruthless effectiveness in dealing with even the highest-ranking internal threats, contributing to the development of a more centralized and powerful monarchy.

Question 40

Structure of monarchy & government

Answer 40

Overview: Henry VII inherited a monarchy weakened by civil war. His aim was to centralise power, improve efficiency, and secure royal finances. He used existing structures (Council, Parliament, Court) but adapted them to enhance his personal control and reduce reliance on potentially unreliable nobility. AQA Relevance: Directly addresses "In what ways and how effectively was England governed during this period?" and "How effectively did the Tudors restore and develop the powers of the monarchy?"

Question 41

The Royal Court

Answer 41

What: The centre of royal power, patronage, and administration. It was a formal institution but also a personal household, moving with the King. Significance: It was where decisions were made, policies implemented, and influence was gained. Henry VII used it to control access to his person and ensure loyalty. AQA Relevance: Illustrates Henry's use of personal loyalty and control over access to power to strengthen his position.

Question 42

The Council

Answer 42

What: A permanent body of advisors chosen by the King, not fixed in size (around 200 members, but core group of 6-7 active). Significance: Provided advice, administered law, and carried out daily governance. Henry preferred working with smaller, trusted sub-committees. AQA Relevance: A key institution of central government, demonstrating Henry's preference for working with reliable, often professional, men.

Question 43

Functions (of The Council)

Answer 43

Key Roles: To advise the King on matters of state. To administer law and order. To act as a judicial body (e.g., Star Chamber). To implement royal policy and decrees. AQA Relevance: Shows how Henry managed the country day-to-day and sought to impose his authority across the realm.

Question 44

Types of councillor

Answer 44

Composition: Varied backgrounds, including: Nobility: (e.g., Lord Daubeney), though less prominent than in previous reigns. Churchmen: Highly educated and often loyal (e.g., John Morton). Lay Lawyers/Gentry: Increasingly prominent, highly skilled, and directly dependent on the King (e.g., Sir Reginald Bray, Empson, Dudley). AQA Relevance: Highlights Henry's shift towards professional, salaried officials rather than relying solely on the great magnates, contributing to a more centralized and efficient administration.

Question 45

Elites

Answer 45

What: The most powerful and influential groups in society, including the nobility, senior churchmen, and wealthy gentry. Significance: Henry VII needed their cooperation for effective governance but also sought to control their power to prevent rebellions. AQA Relevance: Illustrates the delicate balance Henry had to strike between rewarding loyalty and curbing potential threats from the powerful.

Question 46

Magnate

Answer 46

What: A great noble or lord, holding significant land, wealth, and influence in their regions. Significance: Historically, they held considerable power, often challenging the crown. Henry VII systematically reduced their independence through bonds, attainders, and appointing loyal men to positions of power. AQA Relevance: Crucial for understanding how Henry limited aristocratic power to strengthen the monarchy, a key theme in "How effectively did the Tudors restore and develop the powers of the monarchy?"

Question 47

John Morton

Answer 47

Who: A leading churchman and lawyer, loyal Lancastrian, made Archbishop of Canterbury and later Cardinal. Significance: Henry VII's most trusted advisor and Lord Chancellor. Known for his "Morton's Fork" dilemma (extortionate tax collection). Exemplifies Henry's use of skilled, loyal churchmen in high office. AQA Relevance: A key individual in Henry's government, central to royal finance and administration.

Question 48

Sir Reginald Bray

Answer 48

Who: A key financial advisor and administrator to Henry VII. Significance: Played a crucial role in the Council Learned in Law and the reorganisation of royal finances, especially the Chamber system. Highly trusted and influential. AQA Relevance: Another example of Henry's reliance on loyal, capable gentry rather than traditional magnates to run his government.