Section A

• Henry VII defeated Richard III to become king in 1485
• England had about 2.5 million people with only 6% living in towns
• Population of london was 60,000
• England was Roman Catholic
• Henry's older brother Arthur died in 1502
• Henry VIII became king in 1509 and his coronation was greeted with enthusiasm
• Henry married Catherine of Aragon in 1509
• who were the royal council?

  a group of advisors chosen by the king selected from nobility providing guidance on policies
• what were Henry's aims as a monarch?

  -glorious victories in battles abroad

  -magnificent royal court

  -sole charge of England's policies
• What were Henry's strengths?

  -Popular with public

  -inherited rich and stable country

  -wife Catherine had good foreign connections
• What were Henry's weaknesses?

  -little experience of government

  -ambitions based on heroic legends

  -large ego

  -expensive taste