The Last Decade of Henry's Reign

Question 1

What were general successes of H7’s reign?

Answer 1

• Established dynasty with succession of H8
• Defeated key rivals
• Strengthened institutions of government
• Restored stability of finances
• Reduced dependence upon nobility for support
• England better governed, more prosperous and more peaceful than past 50 years

Question 2

How did H7 face instability towards the end of his reign?

Answer 2

• 1500 = Youngest son, Edmund, died
• 1502 = Eldest son, Arthur, died
• 1503 = Wife, Elizabeth of York, died
• Death of sons = Tudor dynasty dependent on H8’s life
• Death of wife = fading Yorkist loyalty and no more Yorkist-Lancastrian children possible

Question 3

How did Arthur’s death affect relations with Spain?

Answer 3

• 1501 = Arthur’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon arranged
• H7 able to arrange new royal marriage of Catherine and H8
• Catherine marrying husband brother so had to get special permission from Pope

Question 4

Why did H7’s policies become more harsh at the end of his reign?

Answer 4

• Worried the sudden deaths of his wife and 2 sons may expose weakness to enemies
• H7 spent last years of reign ensuring nobility in no position to threaten him or only surviving son
• Wanted to end reign with display of power of the King and of the Tudor dynasty

Question 5

How did H7 treat nobles towards the end of his reign?

Answer 5

• 1493 = bonds from nobility = £3,000
• 1505 = bonds from nobility = £35,000
• Sir Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley created system of spies and informers looking for misdeed amongst wealthy people
• Royal demands increased and enforced much more rigorously
• 1509 = Dudley confessed in at least 84 cases he’d extracted money illegally

Question 6

What was H7’s reputation when he died?

Answer 6

• Died 1509, aged 52
• ‘Died more respected than loved’
• Wasn’t popular with people when died = his death greeted with relief