The Government of Henry VII and threats to his rule

Henry VII’s Claim

• Henry VII managed to defeat Richard III (Yorkist) at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485
• His claim was weak due to his mother, Margaret Beaufort, being a descendant of Edward III by the marriage of his son, John of Gaunt, to Katherine Swynford
• This weak claim meant that Henry held his position of King based on his victory at Bosworth, not legitimacy.

Relations with the Nobility

• The nobility was very powerful and Henry VII was careful to limit their power. He depended on the nobility to maintain law and order.
• He did this by limiting land, stopping retainers and giving bonds and recognisances. Henry restricted patronage.
• Installing fear into the nobility limited opposition.

Royal finances

• Henry VII’s main aim was to increase the kingdom’s wealth. To do this, he was very cautious and pragmatic.
• The Council Learned in Law enforced bonds and recognisances which were made to guarantee loyalty. Noblemen whom Henry was uncertain about received these.
• The Council Learned in Law (Empson and Dudley)  enforced long-forgotten feudal dues.
• Gained some finance from the Treaty of Etaples with France.

Consolidating power

• He dated his reign from the day before Bosworth (22nd August 1485) meaning that anyone who fought against him was then a traitor and could have their estates seized which would also add to the King’s wealth
• Henry asked for papal dispensation to allow him to marry Elizabeth of York and unite the houses of Lancaster and York 
• Although the Wars of the Roses killed some better claimants to the throne, there were still a number of Yorkists alive who had equal/stronger claim as Henry had to the throne, most importantly Richard’s nephews: Edwards, Earl of Warwick and John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln. Henry had to eliminate these threats. Warwick was sent to the Tower whilst Lincoln professed his loyalty and was invited to join the king’s council.

Administration

• Henry monitored royal accounts
• Used the Chamber system more and it was more effective
• The Court of Audit monitored wider Government spending

Yorkshire Rebellion, 1489

Cause: Henry raised taxes to fund a campaign in Brittany (war with France

Event: Rebels in Yorkshire refused to pay the tax and murdered the tax collector, the Duke of Northumberland.

Consequence: Henry visited Yorkshire and pardoned many rebels.

Cornish Rebellion, 1497

Cause: Henry raised taxes to fund a campaign against Warbeck and Scotland

Event: Rebels marched into London

Consequence: Henry ruthlessly put an end to it and executed all leaders.

Lovell and Stafford, 1486

Yorkist threat. They were loyal supporters of Richard and attempted to raise a rebellion in the Midlands and the north.

It failed because Henry had spies who brought it to his knowledge Lovell fled to Flanders and the Stafford brothers were captured

Simnel, 1487

Impersonated the Earl of Warwick. Had the support of Burgundy and Ireland along with the Earl of Lincoln (who actually had a legitimate claim). Launched the Battle of Stoke where Simnel’s 8,000 men were defeated by Henry’s 12,000 men. Simnel had a lack of support from the nobility and England itself and was imprisoned.

Warbeck, 1491-99

Impersonator. 

Had support from France → negotiated Treaty of Etaples

Support from Burgundy → Trade ban on wool

Holy Roman Empire considered him royalty → Henry paid them

Married James IV’s cousin in Scotland → negotiated Treaty of Ayton

Had nowhere else to go, and was eventually executed.