Consolidation of Power (Henry VII)

• How did Henry VII consolidate his power (1)?

  • Dated his reign BEFORE the Battle of Bosworth.
  • This implies that he was the king BEFORE Bosworth and anyone who fought against him could be considered a traitor to the crown and he could punish them accordingly.
  • The date he said his reign began on: 21st August 1485.
  • The Battle of Bosworth: 22nd August 1485.
• How did Henry consolidate his power (2)?

  • Punished traitors in different ways.
  • One of these ways was with 'Retaining', using the Act of Attainder.
  • This was a piece of legislation that could be used to formally declare somebody guilty of a crime.
  • This was almost always members of the nobility, who had fought against Henry at Bosworth.
• How did Henry consolidate his power (3)?

  • He made sure that his coronation was before the first time he called parliament (and before his marriage, so that his claim couldn't be down to his wife).
  • His coronation: 30th October, 1485.
  • First time he called parliament: 7th November, 1485.
  • This signified that his power came from the monarchy, NOT the parliament - symbolic of him being the rightful king.
• How did Henry consolidate his power (4)?

  • Imprisoned those with a Yorkist claim. Most notably: The Earl of Warwick and Elizabeth of York.
  • A year later, in 1486, Henry married Elizabeth and united the House of York and Lancaster.
  • When Prince Arthur was born in September, 1486, this help to establish Henry VII's dynasty.
• How did Henry consolidate his power (5)?

  • He publically awarded his supporters to increase his popularity.
  • He issued eleven knighthoods to the nobility who supported him.