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Henry VII - The consolidation of power (Claim to Throne (Henry's grasp…
Henry VII - The consolidation of power
Claim to Throne
Victory over Richard III's forces at battle of Bosworth (22 Aug 1485)
Terminated Plantagenet rule = new dynasty, the Tudors
Henry's grasp on power, insecure
No noticeable claim to the throne
He had many enemies, keen to see his failure
Essential to consolidate power, established his dynasty, ensured any rivals were firmly dealt with
Weak, 1) descended through his mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort
2) Line came from John Gaunt's third wife: son = John Beaufort born before marriage = illegitimate
Henry became Lancastrian claimant b/c no one else to fulfil role. Victory on battlefield alone had brought him to the throne
Henry lived abroad since 14, proclaimed King of England on battlefield by LORD STANLEY
After battle, Henry went to Leicester - mortal enemy remains interred, then to London (3 Sept 1485) met by lord mayor of the city, London public wooed and welcomed new monarch
Richard = Suspicion b/c disappearance of the princes in the tower, it didn't matter who Henry was or his weak claim to the throne, he wasn't Richard was enough for the public to accept him
Character and Aims
From 1485 Henry just wanted to keep his throne
Primary aim was to consolidate his power he did this by...
Dated reign 21 Aug 1485, day before battle of Bosworth
Ensured anyone who fought as a Yorkist = Traitor
Publically awarded key supporters
11 knighthoods
Arranged for supporters to detain Eliz. of York
Made key appointments to his council and household
Arranged coronation on 30 Oct before first meeting of parliament
Demonstrating right to throne was hereditary not b/c Parli. sanctioned it
Parliamentary ACTS OF ATTAINDER against Yorkist who had fought at Bosworth
Ensured their property was forfeit to the crown, inc. royal income
Further enhanced when Parl. granted Henry customs revenues of tonnage and poundage for life
Married Eliz. of York = Tudor rose
Sept 1489 Price Arthur secured dynasty
Establishing the Tudor dynasty
Yorkist not satisfied by marriage
Regarded him as an usurper
There were several Yorkist claimants to the throne
Pretenders to throne, claiming to be one of the murdered princes in the tower
Margaret of Burgundy had access to funds which allowed her to encourage ambitions of Yorkist claimants