Henry VII

CONSOLIDATION OF POWER

Henry Tudor became King of England following his victory at the Battle of Bosworth on 22nd August 1485. Henry VII's grasp of power was insecure; he had virtually no claim to the throne and he had many enemies which meant it was essential for him to consolidate his power as King;

• He dated his reign from 21st August 1485, the day beofre the Battle of Bosworth, thereby ensuring that anyone who had fought on the Yorkist side could be designated a traitor.
• He publicly rewarded many of his key supporters, for example by conferring 11 knighthoods.
• He arranged for supporters to detain Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV, and the Earl of Warwick, Edward IV's nephew, who had…