Britain 1485-1487

In depth study into Britain 1483-1529.

This section is on

  • Consolidation of Henry VII
  • Marriage to Elizabeth of York
  • Coronation
  • Tudor propaganda

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Consolidation of Power

The New King

  • Henry Tudor was proclaimed King of England by Lord Stanley on Bosworth field
  • Henry VII dated his reign to August 21st, a day before the Battle of Bosworth
  • This was so any men who fought for Richard III could be declared traitors
  • The punishment for traitors under Henry VII was an Act of Attainder

(NOTE: Acts of Attainder = took land and titles away from the noble and his heirs were disinherited)

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Consolidation of Power

March to London

  • Henry Tudor marched to London, arriving on the 3rd of September 1485
  • The march was not rushed and allowed time to plan and meet Tudor's subjects
  • He was met by crowds who demonstrated goodwill towards their new king
  • On arrival, Henry Tudor presented three flags in the same way Edward IV had after the battle of Barnet
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Consolidation of Power

Government and Counsel

  • Henry VII favoured those who had supported him in exile
  • Able clerics were also relied upon
  • Yorkists were also included in the counsel and government although not in majority
  • Many of the King's first decisions were made with close friends and family however
    - Margaret Beaufort (Mother)
    - Jasper Tudor (Uncle)
    - Lord Stanley (Stepfather)
    - Earl of Oxford (Exiled with)
    - John de Vere
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Consolidation of Power

Patronage

  • Henry VII was wary of his right to distribute patronage
  • There was no siblings to be obliged to recognise through patronage though
  • Through out Henry VII's reign, he gave very little land and titles away
  • This meant that the crown held more power
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Consolidation of Power

Royal Household

  • Most senior positions in the royal house hold were given to those who had shared Henry VII's exile
  • However, Sir William Stanley became Lord Chamberlain
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Consolidation of Power

The Coronation

  • Designed to impress and confirm Tudor's god-given right to rule
  • The King was conscious of the need to appear regal
  • However, account details from the time show that he shopped around for the best deals on things!
  • Henry VII had a very precise routine for his coronation
    - Dine with the Arch Bishop of Canterbury
    - Travelled by procession to the Tower of London
    - Granted titles for loyal servants (Jasper Tudor with Duke)
    - Dined with the newly titled loyal servants
    - Began a great procession to Westminster Hall
    - Sat the coronation
    - Showed himself to his people
    - Returned to the Tower of London for a great banquet
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Consolidation of Power

The first parliament

  • Henry issued writs to call parliament
  • They met on November the 7th 1485
  • They dealt with these issues
    - Recognising Henry Tudor as King
    - Reversing Acts of Attainder from Richard III's reign
    - Passing Acts of Attainder against those who fought for Richard III at Bosworth
    - Passing tunnage and pundage to raise revenue from imported goods
    - Passing an Act of Resumption to reclaim lands that were owned by Henry VI before being lost during the Wars of the Roses
    - Dismissed Richard III's act that declared Edward IV's children illegitimate
    - Introduced legislation that maintained public peace and enforcement of the law

(NOTE: Issused Writs = called the commons an lords to parliament. It was not permanent)

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Consolidation of Power

Marriage to Elizabeth of York

  • 18th January 1485
  • United the two houses of York and Lancaster
  • Promised legitimate heirs to the Tudor dynasty
  • The coronation of Queen Elizabeth was delayed due to the threat of pretenders
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Consolidation of Power

Propaganda

  • The Tudor rose was a combination of the Lancastrian and Yorkist roses
  • It served as a reminder that the Tudor dynasty promised peace
  • Henry VII named his first son Arthur after the Arthurian legend, which associated the Tudors with King Arthur the protector of the British
  • Linking with both Lancastrian and Yorkists began securing a peaceful dynasty
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