Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

Henry VII's Character and Aims

Henry VII's overarching aim was to end the political instability of the Wars of the Roses. When he took the throne in 1485, he could not have known that he would succeed. The fear of losing his throne to unreconciled Yorkists explains many of his actions.

Henry VII's character

Henry VII was respected, efficient, intelligent and shrewd, but not popular. He also developed a reputation for greed.
Henry VII understood court politics and did not trust anyone outside of a small group of people.
Margaret Beaufort (Henry’s mother), Jasper Tudor, the Earl of Oxford, John Morton and Richard Fox were his closest confidants.
Henry VII loved his wife, Elizabeth of York, but gave her no political influence.

Henry VII's approach to kingship

Henry VII involved himself in everything, even the details of day-to-day government.
He checked all account entries himself.
He liked to double-check information he was given.

Henry VII's aims

Henry VII's most important aim was to maintain a strong hold on his throne and pass it on to his heirs. To do this he had to:
- Establish his right to the throne. By winning Bosworth, he had right of conquest but his own claim was weak.
- Control the nobility. The Wars of the Roses had been caused by over-mighty nobles and a weak king.
- Strengthen the Crown’s control of England.
To achieve his aims Henry had to build a financially strong Crown.

Henry VII's claim to the throne

Henry VII's claim was weak because:
- It was through his mother and she was descended from a once illegitimate branch of the Lancastrians.
There were several Yorkists with better claims than Henry VII. They were:
- Elizabeth of York, the eldest daughter of Edward IV.
- Edward, Earl of Warwick, who was Edward IV’s and Richard III’s nephew by their brother, George.
- John, Edmund and Richard de la Pole, nephews of Edward IV and Richard III by their sister, the duchess of Suffolk.

Establishing the Tudor Dynasty

Henry VII was always aware that he could be usurped. To try and prevent this, he wanted to establish a Tudor dynasty. To do so, he needed to legitimise his own authority and have a Tudor line of succession.

Legitimising his reign

Henry VII dated his reign to 21st August 1485, the day before the Battle of Bosworth.
This meant he could declare all Yorkists traitors and try them for treason.
The Crown could therefore take Yorkist property.

Coronation

Henry VII's coronation was on 30th October 1485.
The coronation was a highly symbolic event that anointed him by God's grace.
The coronation involved England's nobles all taking a public oath of loyalty to him.

Parliament

Henry VII first convened parliament on 7th November 1485.
The date is important because Henry made sure he had already been crowned. This meant his authority was not dependent on parliament.

Marriage

On 18 January 1486, Henry VII married Elizabeth of York.
This was significant because it united the warring families of Lancaster and York. Any descendent would come from both houses.
A child would mean the Tudor legacy would live on after Henry VII.
Because he was already king, Henry VII made sure his authority was not linked to Elizabeth's heritage.

1Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty 1485-1547

1.1Henry VII 1485-1509

1.1.1Henry VII's Consolidation of Power

1.1.2Henry VII & Succession

1.1.3Henry VII's Councils & Parliament

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 1

1.1.5Henry VII & Justice, Finance & Policies

1.1.6Henry VII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.1.7Henry VII & Society

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 2

1.1.9Henry VII & Regional Issues

1.1.10Henry VII & Economic Development

1.1.11Henry VII & Cultural Development

1.1.12End of Topic Test - Henry VII Part 3

1.2Henry VIII 1509-1547

1.2.1Henry VIII's Consolidation of Power

1.2.2Henry VIII & His Government

1.2.3Henry VIII & His Government 2

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 1

1.2.5Henry VIII & Succession

1.2.6Henry VIII's Relationship with Foreign Powers

1.2.7Henry VIII & Society

1.2.8End of Topic Test -Henry VIII Part 2

1.2.9Henry VIII & Society 2

1.2.10Henry VIII & Economic Development

1.2.11Henry VIII & Religion

1.2.12End of Topic Test - Henry VIII Part 3

2England: Turmoil & Triumph 1547-1603

2.1Instability & Consolidation 1547-1563

2.1.1Edward VI, Somerset & Northumberland

2.1.2Edward VI & Authority

2.1.3Edward VI & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 1

2.1.5Edward VI & Rebellions

2.1.6Social Impact of Religious & Economic Changes

2.1.7Edward VI & Cultural Developments

2.1.8End of Topic Test - Edward VI Part 2

2.1.9Mary I & Her Rule

2.1.10Mary I & Relations with Foreign Powers

2.1.11The Social Impact of Religious & Economic Change

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Mary Part 1

2.1.13Elizabeth I & Her Rule

2.1.14Elizabeth I & Relations With Foreign Powers

2.1.15Impact of Economic, Social & Religious Change

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 1

2.2The Triumph of Elizabeth 1563-1603

2.2.1Elizabeth I & Court

2.2.2Elizabeth & Government

2.2.3Elizabeth I & Succession

2.2.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 2

2.2.5Mary Queen of Scots

2.2.6Relations with Spain

2.2.7End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 3

2.2.8Elizabeth I & Society

2.2.9Elizabeth I & Rebellion

2.2.10Elizabeth & Economic Development

2.2.11End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 4

2.2.12Elizabeth I & Religious Developments

2.2.13The English Renaissance

2.2.14Elizabeth's Last Years

2.2.15End of Topic Test - Elizabeth I Part 5

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