Henry VII"s Consolidation of Power - A level History

Summary

This video explores Henry VII's strategic methods to solidify his rule after the Battle of Bosworth. Key tactics include dating his reign a day before the battle to deem opponents as traitors, using acts of attainder to punish the nobility, and his symbolic coronation prior to the first Parliament. Additionally, Henry imprisoned and later married Elizabeth of York to unite the Yorkist and Lancastrian houses, establishing the Tudor dynasty with the birth of Prince Arthur. Lastly, he bolstered his popularity by publicly rewarding his supporters with knighthoods.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ Henry VII dated his reign before the Battle of Bosworth, implying he was king before the battle and allowing him to label his opponents as traitors.
• ⚔️ He used acts of attainder to formally declare members of the nobility guilty of treason, primarily those who fought against him at the Battle of Bosworth.
• 👑 Henry's coronation took place before his first Parliament, symbolizing that his power derived from the monarchy itself rather than parliamentary support.
• 🏰 He imprisoned those with a Yorkist claim to the throne, including the Earl of Warwick and Elizabeth of York, to secure his position as the rightful heir.
• 💍 In a strategic move, Henry married Elizabeth of York in 1486, uniting the houses of Lancaster and York and ending the Wars of the Roses.
• 👶 The birth of Prince Arthur in September 1486 established the Tudor dynasty, ensuring a successor to carry on Henry's legacy.
• 🤝 Henry publicly rewarded his supporters by issuing knighthoods, increasing his popularity and securing loyalty among the nobility.
• 👥 Acts of attainder were a primary reason for Henry calling his Parliaments, showing his intent to consolidate power through legislative means.
• 🛑 Henry's tactics differed from his predecessors during the Wars of the Roses, who failed to implement such strategies to secure their rule.
• 🏛️ The timing of Henry's coronation and Parliament sessions was symbolic, emphasizing his divine right to rule and the legitimacy of his reign.
• 🔒 Imprisoning Elizabeth of York and later marrying her was a political maneuver to eliminate threats and bind the rival houses, solidifying Henry's power.

Q & A

Why did Henry VII date his reign before the Battle of Bosworth?

Henry VII dated his reign before the Battle of Bosworth to imply that he was already king before the battle, which allowed him to consider anyone who fought against him during the battle as a traitor of the crown, punishable accordingly.

What is an Act of Attainder and how did Henry VII use it?

An Act of Attainder is a piece of legislation that could formally declare someone guilty of a crime without a trial. Henry VII used it to punish nobility who fought against him at the Battle of Bosworth, as it was primarily the nobility involved in the conflict.

Why was Henry VII's coronation before his first Parliament significant?

Henry VII's coronation before his first Parliament was significant as it symbolized that his power came directly from the monarchy, not from legislation, reinforcing his claim to the throne despite it not being as strong as other potential candidates.

Who were the Yorkists that Henry VII imprisoned?

Henry VII imprisoned the Earl of Warwick and Elizabeth of York, both of whom had a Yorkist claim to the throne, to secure his own position as king.