Henry’s personality and character was a major aspect in his survival and success. His quick witted nature within a crisis and his confidence and ability to succeed assisted him on his road to kingship and as Polydore Vergil describes, “his mind was brave and resolute, and never, even at moments of the greatest danger, deserted him.” Henry’s political shrewdness was particularly apparent when in 1475, Edward attempted to marry Henry with a daughter of Louis Frances ΙΙ of France to try and bring him back to England. Henry managed to avoid the situation by having, or pretending to have, a fever and therefore delaying his crossing to England. Edward died suddenly in 1483 and due to an abrupt revelation that his sons were illegitimate, Richard Duke of Gloucester became their protector and pronounced himself king. His possibly unjust claim of the throne along with the mysterious disappearance of the Princes caused Richard to be a highly unpopular monarch. This is shown through the many plots and revolts against him, (such as that of Buckingham’s in October 1483 and Edward household in July 1483). Consequently a number of Yorkist rebels began to seek an alternative leader, surprisingly finding suitable representation in Henry, the main Lancastrian claim to the throne. This was no doubt aided by the politically shrewd promise that once in power he would attempt to reunite the two families by marrying the major Yorkist heiress, and in their eyes the rightful monarch, Elizabeth of York.
Whilst living in France Henry remained in contact with Lancastrian supporters in England and although Richard had a lot of followers in the North, the more influential and important backing of the southern nobilities was not won over- leaving it more likely to be open to the possibility of Lancastrian invasion. Henry also began to consolidate an English court around him in Paris and gained the much needed support of the Earl of Oxford, Edward Poyings, Bishop Morton and Richard Fox. Each of these steps were precisely and purposely put in place as constant preparation for kingship. Whether the decisions made were from the guidance and instruction of the influential figures around him or Henry himself they were crucial in his usurpation.
Planning an invasion, Henry acquired the military expertise of Jasper Tudor and the Earl of Oxford both well accomplished seasoned soldiers. He also gained the financial support of Charles of France who hoped it would deter Richard from sending help to Brittany and allow the French to rapidly seize the duchy.
On the 7th of August Henry and 400 to 500 local exiles along with around 1,500 French soldiers landed at Mill Bay in Wales. They marched north-wards and along the river Severn until reaching the border with England. Rhys ap Thomas was believed by Richard to be a supporter however by the 12th of August he had been won over by Henry and by the time he arrived in the Midlands on the 15th his support had grown to around 5,000 men mainly due to Welsh recruits. The king on the other hand had an army of 8,000. Henry’s step-father, Lord Stanley and his brother, Sir William Stanley sent financial aid to Henry against the knowledge of Richard and stood as a neutral party to begin with as both sides believed they had their loyalty. To try and ensure this Richard had taken hostages in hope that even if they did not support him they would remain impartial.
The two armies met in Market Bosworth near Sutton Cheney in Leicestershire on the 22nd of August. Henry was clearly out numbered by the king’s soldiers and although his army had now grown to about 6,000 Richards outnumbered them by about two to one. The decisive moment came when Richard made a direct charge at Henry causing Sir William Stanley’s army to rush to his rescue. With the crucial aid of the Stanleys the battle was won, Richard was slaughtered and the remaining Yorkists fled. Sir William Stanley crowned Henry on the conclusion of the battle and Richard’s naked body was paraded back to London.
It was Henry Tudor’s “political wisdom”, “notable” experience and his “dealing in time of perils and dangers” with, “great hardiness” (John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester) that greatly contributed to his success in obtaining the English throne. The support, guidance and military expertise form Jasper Tudor along with the financial help from the French king and the support not only from loyal Lancastrians but from the rebel Yorkists, also aided Henry in usurping the throne in 1485.