by John, Judith
JASPER TUDOR
RELATIVELY LITTLE IS known about Henry’s uncle, his father’s brother, apart from the fact that he was one of Henry’s greatest and most trusted advisors. Joining his nephew and sister-in-law in their exile, Jasper worked alongside Margaret Beaufort to promote Henry’s claim and joined him in the decisive Battle of Bosworth. Jasper’s allegiance came in part from his undying affection for his half-brother Henry VI, who had awarded him titles despite the dubious legitimacy of his parents’ secret marriage. Jasper was also a skilled military man, his knowledge of battle tactics being put to good use at Bosworth Field. His reward was to be granted the title of Duke of Bedford in 1485, making him one of the only members of Henry’s council to be of noble birth, in addition to Margaret Beaufort and John de Vere.
Jasper Tudor (right panel) as depicted on a church stained glass window.
FACT OR FICTION: Y MAB DAROGAN?
A HUGELY INFLUENTIAL factor in Henry’s Welsh support were the claims – highly exaggerated and played upon by Henry – that he was Mab Darogan, or the Son of Destiny.
Mab Darogan was a mythical figure in Welsh folklore who dates back to the time of King Arthur. It was told that Mab Darogan would claim Britain back from the Anglo-Saxons, returning power to the Celts.
Henry’s march through Wales and defeat of Richard certainly added flesh to the legend, and was a factor in both his victory and subsequent relations with Wales.
The uncertainty of Henry’s position, plus his growing support from men in France, England and Wales, meant that the time had come for him to make another attempt to appropriate the English throne.
In addition to his ever-growing support, Henry had a stroke of good fortune when Richard III’s only son and heir, Edward, died in 1484. His death left the path to the throne clear for Henry to take it for himself, casting off the Yorkist King once and for all.
Making His Move
Henry’s decision to invade England via Wales was inspired; Henry’s Welsh background meant that he could be sure of the support of several powerful Welshmen, including Rhys ap Thomas, an influential landowner and soldier who promised troops to Henry.
This time, Henry and his army sailed to Milford Haven, on the southwest coast of Wales. Landing in Wales to gather support enabled him to boost his meager force of around 2500 men – made up of mercenaries and around 500 English exiles – giving him extra men to lead into battle against the might of Richard’s superior forces. Despite being at a disadvantage, the second attempt proved much more successful, as Henry marched through Pembrokeshire to Shrewsbury, then on into the English Midlands. Richard, who had underestimated his own unpopularity and assumed that Henry’s army would be opposed en route, was not as prepared as he should have been for a war on his own turf. However, his hastily gathered troops still far outnumbered Henry’s army. He was aided in his war plans by John de Vere, the Earl of Oxford, who had deserted the Yorkists to lend his support to Henry and who would remain loyal to Henry throughout his reign.
DEEDS OF POWER: THE WELSH CONNECTION
HENRY OFTEN PLAYED upon his Welsh background when it suited him. He was born in Pembroke Castle in Wales, where he lived for the first four years of his life until he was taken to Brittany for his own safety. He named his first-born son Arthur, harking back to the Arthurian legends still strong in Wales.
He also made Arthur Prince of Wales in 1489, which did much to keep Welsh support, and celebrated St David’s Day on 1 March. Henry also kept up Welsh support during his reign by issuing charters giving certain Welsh communities the rights of freeborn Englishmen.
Of course, he made sure that he was well paid for any privileges he needed to award. Despite his championing of the Welsh when it suited him, Henry was actually only one-quarter Welsh. He never lived in Wales after his coronation and did not speak the language.
This illustration shows the imagined moment of Richard III’s defeat at the hands of Henry VII at Bosworth Field, even though it is uncertain who actually dealt the blow that killed Richard. The new king is majestic and brave in this potent piece of propaganda.
After Richard III was struck down, his crown was retrieved and presented to Henry VII on the battlefield. This illustration shows Henry’s men eagerly watching as they proudly hold Henry’s standards aloft, surrounded by remains of the Yorkist troops.
FACT OR FICTION: RICHARD’S REMAINS
AFTER THE BODY of Richard III was cut down from its gory display in Leicester – Henry wanted proof of his victory on display for all to see – he was buried in Grey Friars church in 1485, with Henry himself paying to have a monument erected. His body had at least ten stab wounds and it is not known who actually dealt the killing blow, although some bestow this honour on Rhys ap Thomas. But even in death Richard could not rest in peace. During Henry VIII’s reign and the dissolution of the monasteries, Richard’s body was allegedly tossed into the Stour River. A memorial on the site of the church was all that remained, until even that was covered over by various developments, the most recent of which was a car park.
However, in 2012 an archeological dig found both the memorial and a skeleton thought to be Richard’s remains. DNA confirmed this theory in February 2013, so the question remains whether Richard will be either laid to rest in Leicester Cathedral or be returned to York as his final resting place.
Excavated from beneath a car park in Leicester in 2012, the bones of Richard III clearly show the curvature of his spine.
The Final Battle
Henry Tudor met Richard III and his troops on fields near the town of Market Bosworth in Leicestershire on 22 August 1485. Henry’s army still numbered far fewer than Richard’s and the outcome was by no means guaranteed. However, the Battle of Bosworth ultimately decided the fates of both men. This was largely due to the decision of some of Richard’s supporters to turn their allegiance towards Henry in the midst of engagement. These included Thomas Stanley, Henry’s step-father and Margaret Beaufort’s third husband, and Henry Percy, the Earl of Northumberland, whose men first stood back and did not support Richard, then fought against the King, evening the odds on each side.
The last-minute change of support meant that Richard was now fighting a losing battle. Spurred on by this, Richard and 200 of his men made a desperate attempt to finish the battle by trying to reach and kill Henry himself. In this he was unsuccessful, despite getting close enough to kill one of Henry’s standard bearers. Richard was overwhelmed by Henry’s supporters and killed on the field of battle, his army soon yielding. His death meant that Henry was able to claim the throne by right of conquest. Rumour has it that the crown from Richard’s helmet tumbled off his head and rolled across the battlefield. It was later retrieved and placed upon Henry’s head right there on the field at Bosworth by Thomas Stanley. History is told by the winning side, so how much truth there is in this version of events remains unknown. What is known is that Richard’s corpse was stripped and displayed for his enemies to gloat over. Whatever the exact circumstances, the fact remains that Henry’s victory was both a fitting end to his 14 years in exile and a dramatic start to a new age that changed the way the British monarchy, Church and government have been viewed ever since.
The unpopularity of Richard III meant that Henry’s official coronation on 30 October 1485 was well received by the public …
Consolidating His Power
The unpopularity of Richard III meant that Henry’s official coronation on 30 October 1485 was well received by the public, but Henry left nothing to chance. He took every opportunity to safeguard himself against threats from usurpers. The right of conquest he had won on the battlefield was seen as the intervention of God choosing the rightful King, a powerful argument in itself. But Henry made no assumptions. He quickly called Parliament and made them declare that his reign had started from the day before the Battle of Bosworth. This meant that Richard’s attempt on his life had been treason, but also that all those who had supported Richard were subject to charges of treason, too
. They could all be executed if he desired, but Henry chose to save execution for the most troublesome ringleaders only. The rest were to be punished through fines and loss of lands, powers and privileges.
Henry also had his right to reign confirmed by Pope Innocent VIII. He made a triumphant and spectacular parade through the streets of London, winning public support. And significantly he started to appoint people who he knew he could trust to be his advisors. Here especially, he left no room for manoeuvre, ensuring that these men were better off if they supported him, rather than if they made their own play for power. Another thing that helped Henry cement his leadership was that he was keen to make peace in England. Everyone was weary of years of fighting and hardship (war cost money through taxes and men who were needed to work to support their families). In Henry VII, people saw the chance for life to improve.
Leader of Men
While Henry had spent half of his life in exile (in fact he had never even lived in England, the country he was now to rule), he had been groomed for his role as King. His chaotic upbringing had naturally made him very suspicious of anyone in a position of power with a claim to the throne. However, he was a shrewd leader and soon began making decisions about his council, parliament and personal finances that made him feel more secure in his position. By surrounding himself with men who came from the gentry or the Church, as opposed to noblemen who – as history had proven – might start getting ideas about exploiting their powerful positions, Henry guaranteed their loyalty, making them dependent on his favour for money and support.
As well as his immediate family, Henry also rewarded trusted men who had been with him in exile, such as Bishop Richard Foxe (or Fox), an advisor and diplomat whom he made Lord Privy Seal, and John de Vere, whose military knowledge had proved vital at Bosworth and later at Stoke. De Vere was made Admiral of England, which was one of the most prestigious military posts at the time. Henry also surrounded himself with like-minded men who were eager to make themselves useful to their new King.
Uniting the Houses
A key point in making his throne more secure was his choice of bride. Henry was now able to wed his intended wife, Elizabeth of York. She was the daughter of Edward IV (the first Yorkist King of England) and Elizabeth Woodville and their marriage was intended to unite the houses of Tudor and York, putting an end to the Wars of the Roses. It would also give their heirs a far stronger claim to the throne than Henry ever had. Elizabeth was promised to Henry in 1483 after plotting by Elizabeth’s mother, Elizabeth Woodville, and Henry’s mother, the redoubtable Margaret Beaufort.
Henry VII and Elizabeth, Edward IV’s daughter, are married at Westminster Abbey in 1486. Henry made Elizabeth Queen Consort in 1487, uniting Lancaster and York.
His chaotic upbringing had naturally made him very suspicious of anyone in a position of power with a claim to the throne.
Elizabeth Woodville had her own excellent incentive to see Richard defeated. As well as her daughter, Elizabeth had also been mother to Edward V, who Richard III had locked in the Tower and perhaps killed when he was just a child. Elizabeth Woodville’s marriage to Edward IV, Edward V’s father, was her second marriage. As she was related to the Lancastrians and was not of noble birth, the union caused much controversy, especially when Elizabeth was crowned Queen Consort to rule at Edward’s side. She still held some influence after Edward’s death, despite derision for her low standing and habit of awarding her own family affluent titles. In 1487, Elizabeth left the court to spend the last five years of her life at Bermondsey Abbey. Speculation as to why she did this is that she hankered for a quiet, religious life. However, others believe she was forced out of the limelight by Margaret Beaufort, whose influence, especially over her son, was even greater than Elizabeth’s.
As Henry and Elizabeth of York were third cousins, they had to get their marriage sanctioned by Pope Innocent VIII, which was readily done, making it an excommunicable offence for anyone to oppose their marriage or challenge either for the throne. They finally married on 18 January 1486 and Elizabeth was crowned Queen Consort on 25 November 1487. This, coupled with the fact that she had borne a son, Arthur, on 20 September 1486, meant that Henry’s reign seemed far stronger than many other recent kings. To present this united front to his subjects, Henry had as his symbol the Tudor Rose, which shows the red rose of Lancaster enveloping the (smaller) white rose of York. However, the security that Henry craved still eluded him.
MARGARET BEAUFORT
HENRY’S MOTHER, MARGARET, was a formidable woman who spent most of her life protecting him in exile, advancing his claim to the throne and then supporting him throughout his reign. Even though an act of attainder had been passed against her (meaning that she was liable to be executed for treason), she never stopped plotting on her son’s behalf. Despite the fact that she had a greater claim to the crown than her son, she worked hard to ensure that his claim was strengthened in every way she could, displaying the same political savvy that her son would later show in compelling others’ loyalty. With the help of Elizabeth Woodville, she arranged Henry’s marriage to Elizabeth of York, thereby uniting the warring houses and putting an end to any remaining Yorkist threat against Henry.
In addition to the massive political benefits, the marriage arrangement was strengthened by Elizabeth Woodville’s pledge of money and troops to support Henry’s attack on Richard. Margaret would remain a leading influence over Henry throughout her life. She was also deeply religious, taking a vow of chastity in 1499 despite being married to Lord Stanley. Portraits of her often show her in prayer, despite her shrewd grasp of politics and willingness to remove anyone perceived as a threat.
Elizabeth Woodville married Edward IV in the face of much controversy. Theirs was a secret love-match as opposed to a political alliance, which was more traditional for a king. Indeed, Edward was in talks to marry a French noblewoman at the time of his marriage.
Henry had as his symbol the Tudor Rose, which shows the red rose of Lancaster enveloping the (smaller) white rose of York.
The Great Pretenders
As well as potential attacks from foreign lands, Henry had to deal with plots to usurp his throne from within his kingdom. The first significant assault on his right to rule came in the form of Lambert Simnel, a ten-year-old boy of humble birth. While Simnel alone would have posed no threat, he was in the hands of some very experienced and devious men. These included Richard Simon, an Oxford priest who was seduced by the thought of controlling a king. Simon tutored Simnel in how to act like a member of the aristocracy and was assisted by John de la Pole, the Earl of Lincoln (and Margaret Beaufort’s first husband), who was in line to have succeeded Richard III had Henry not defeated him.
These men claimed that Simnel was actually Edward, the Earl of Warwick. Warwick was King Edward V’s brother George’s son, who had been imprisoned in the Tower of London and was thought to have died there. Rumours were spread that Warwick was alive and had managed to escape from the Tower. These claims were supported by the Earl of Kildare (Lord Deputy of Ireland), who was unlikely to believe the truth in these rumours, but was eager to invade England and support the vulnerable pretender. Henry tried to rubbish the claim by parading the real Edward, Earl of Warwick, through the streets of London to prove that Simnel was an imposter. However, Simon and Lincoln were not so easily dissuaded of their plans to become kingmakers and control a young monarch.
Pope Innocent VIII did not live up to his name. He bore two illegitimate children, granted indulgences to his supporters and encouraged war between France and Spain.
Elizabeth of York was seen as the perfect queen, being kind, caring and submissive. Henry VIII saw his gracious mother as a paragon to which his wives were unfavourably compared.
Events developed in Ireland on 24 May 1487, when Simnel was crowned King Edward VI, a move calculated to strengthen his claim in the eyes of his Yorkist supporters and the English public. The pretender and his puppeteers also garnered support from Margaret of York (the D
uchess of Burgundy and a powerful ally), who arranged for 2000 troops to strengthen their cause. They then sent an army to England to face Henry’s forces at Stoke. This was unsuccessful, and on 16 June they were roundly beaten by Henry’s men, whom he had prepared for a potential battle. Richard Simon was jailed for life – only avoiding death as he was a priest – and the Earl of Lincoln was killed in battle. Lambert Simnel himself was treated leniently. Henry gave him a position deemed fitting for someone of his birth – he was put to work in the royal kitchens, where Henry’s supporters could keep an eye on him.
Four years later, in 1491, Perkin Warbeck appeared on the scene. He presented a far more serious threat to the throne. This time the pretender was a handsome 17-year-old servant who had a marked similarity to Richard, Duke of York, Edward V’s brother. The Duke of York had also been locked in the Tower by Richard III. Their physical resemblance was noticed by Yorkists, would were naturally keen to push Henry off the throne.
