the last decade of Henry VII's reign

• 1502 - H seemed to achieve most of his aims
• 1501 - established dynasty with the marriage of first son, Arthur, to Catherine of Arago
• Defeated his key rivals
• Strengthened the institutions of government
• Put finances back on a sound footing
• Reduced his dependence on the nobility for support 
• Overall, England was better governed, more prosperous and more peaceful than at any time in the last 50 years
• Nevertheless, when H died, he was not popular and his death in 1509 was greeted with relief
• His ministers, Empson and Dudley, were so unpopular that the young King H VIII could gain instant popularity by going against them
• He had them arrested 2 days after H VII’s death, before it was even publicised, and executed the year after
• A series of deaths suddenly made his dynasty seem insecure
• Increasingly harsh application of the financial and political measures that H used to maintain contro