The Founder of the Tudor Dynasty

Shrewd, calculating, intelligent, deep Cautious, distrustful, distant An outsider, a foreigner

Brought up in France in exile – foreigner Unknown in England – outsider

Guarded his emotions, inscrutable Hard working, eye for detail, careful Avaricious, greedy Cultured, educated Faithful to his wife Close, tight-knit circle of friends

England torn apart by civil war England divided but war-weary Wars of Roses: York v. Lancaster Henry: House of Lancaster Took throne in battle 1485

Law and order broken down Henry VI weak King – nobility strong Overmighty subjects fought each other Did as they saw fit

Wales under English rule, Ireland also (in theory) Henry Tudor – Welsh heritage Scotland independent

York kings before Henry VII (Lancaster) Edward IV

Robust, popular, died suddenly Two sons: Edward and Richard Strengthened England’s finance’s and

government Edward V?

Boy king (12) never crowned – murdered?

Princes in the Tower = Edward V and Prince Richard (10)

Richard III Edward IV’s brother Murderer of his own nephews? Popular in York / north But elsewhere was rebellion

Not strong! Mother = Margaret Beaufort

Descended from Edward III But through an illegitimate line

John of Gaunt and Catherine Swynford Not married when children born Though made legitimate by Act of Parliament

during reign of Richard II However Henry VII added a rider: that the heirs of

the Beauforts could not inherit the throne So Henry descended through female,

illegitimate line

Born to 13 year old mother Separated aged 4 – forced to flee

Went to Herbert, Earl of Pembroke 1471 Herbert killed; Henry VI and son also Henry now Lancastrian heir – fled to Brittany

Henry grew up outsider in Brittany At duke’s court watching intrigues and politics Duke weak ruler – nobles duplicitous 1584 Duke’s minister did deal hand Henry

Richard III Henry fled to France

Stayed at French court Again saw courtiers not to be trusted Decided rulers must be distant, suspicious

Strong, determined, intelligent, religious Later married Thomas, Lord Stanley Was to play important role in Henry’s government

Fought her son’s corner in England Played key part in conspiracies against Richard III Drummed up support with English nobles for him

Deal with Elizabeth Woodville – Yorkist Mother of Princes in Tower Agreed marry her daughter, Elizabeth, to Henry Thus her grandchildren throne And unite Houses of York and Lancaster

22nd August 1485 Richard III (York) against Henry

Tudor (Lancaster) Richard’s army double Henry’s

Yet Henry won through Richard’s support not strong though Henry won valuable ally

Right at last moment Sir William Stanley And 3,000 men

Wars of the Roses finally over Or did that happen in 1487...?

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