Henry VII

History: Edexcel A Level England, 1509-1603, topic 1.1.1

Henry VII was plagued by a sense of illegitimacy. He focussed on consolidating his rule and securing the Tudor Dynasty.

Henry 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 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.

$Henry VII’s approach to government$

Henry involved himself in everything, even the details of day-to-day government.
He checked all account entries himself and made the Privy Chamber (the Chamber) the focus of Crown finances.
As his reign progressed, he trusted fewer people and withdrew more into his Privy Chamber.

Some historians think that Henry was successful because people were tired of war.
He survived several threats and two rebellions, neither of which gained more than local support.
He used the Tudor rose to symbolise the coming together of York and Lancaster. It can be seen in many places, e.g. carved into the architecture.
Henry VII was very unpopular by 1509. The Council Learned did not only focus on the nobility, but on merchants and other wealthy ‘middling sorts.’

Henry VII died solvent, giving Henry VIII a strong foundation for his reign – BUT much money was raised by the Council Learned using very questionable methods.
He quelled the Yorkist threat and controlled the nobility - although his relations with the nobility were poor by 1509.
He greatly increased the importance of the Privy Chamber and focused Crown finances on the Chamber.
Rogerson, Ellsmore & Hudson (2001): "Although Henry did pass on his throne peacefully, it was by the skin of his teeth."

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