Character and Aims

• War of the Roses, events leading up to his reign.


  Civil War between House of Lancaster and House of York between 1455 and 1485 for the throne of England.

  Impact?

  English Nobles became very powerful

  House of Tudor had been created by Henry VII and his assumption of the throne, creating the Tudor Rose.

  Yorkist threat, yorkist nobles would not want Henry in power.
• Young Henry Tudor, upbringing.


  Henry was born January 28th 1457 at Pembroke Castle

  He had a weak claim to the throne through his mother's side, Lady Margaret Beaufort.

  Fled to Brittany during the War of the Roses.

  Had grown up in Brittany, raised by his uncle, Jasper Tudor

  Was a cautious and calculated person, but was not brought up to be king.
• Henry VII character and aims


  Resolute and decisive character, said to be shrewd and prudent with money (greedy?)

  Very religious, pious

  Very wise politically

  Loved his wife

  Aims?

  Secure and strengthen the Tudor dynasty

  Establish an effective government

  Maintain law and order

  Control the nobility

  Secure the crown's finances
• Strengths upon succession

  Henry had victory in the Battle of Bosworth 22nd August 1485 where he defeated King Richard III by killing him, he was crowned King on the battlefield.

  The battle had cost England a lot of money, the crowns finance was low.

  War had to be avoided.

  Many nobles had died during battle and so their valuable lands were handed to the crown.

  Gentry, merchants and landowning farmers all supported Henry as they desired peace.

  Henry had proved himself a successful soldier and leader during the battle, reduced threat?
• Weaknesses upon succession

  Henry's claim to the throne was very weak, winning the battle did not guarantee his security.

  He was seen as another usurper like Richard III and not the rightful king.

  House of York remained a threat to his crown, e.g de la Pole brothers also had a claim to the throne.

  Margaret of Burgundy was a threat as she would support any Yorkist attempts to the throne and were England's largest trading partner.