Explain why Henry Tudor was successful in usurping the English Throne in 1485.

Authors Avatar

Explain why Henry Tudor was successful in usurping the English Throne in 1485.

Henry Tudor had a very weak claim to the English throne. Yet in 1485, after defeating Richard ΙΙΙ at the Battle of Bosworth, he was pronounced King.

Henry’s claim came from his mother, Margaret Beaufort’s side, as her great grand-father, John of Gaunt, was a son of Edward ΙΙΙ. However, at the time the legitimacy of Gaunt’s descendants was dubious as it was accused that Catherine Swynford was in fact his mistress condemning their child and Henry’s grandfather as illegitimate. Although during Richard ΙΙ reign their son, John Beaufort, was legitimised but did not become king due to a later act of Parliament. Therefore not only was Henry’s claim considered to descend through the weaker female side of the family, but it was highly questionable that it was even legitimate. There were also many who had a much stronger claim such as, John Earl of Lincoln and Edmund Earl of Suffolk.

Due to the careful, tactful planning and protection of Henry by to his uncle, Jasper Tudor, the right steps were taken from a young age that later enabled Henry to become king.

In 1462, guardianship of Henry was sold for £1000 to Lord Herbert, who imprisoned him within his household in Wales yet educated and treated him as though he were a potential son-in-law. This education greatly benefited Henry and most likely added to the success of his usurpation planning. However, in 1489 Herbert was executed and Henry     regained power, forcing Henry Tudor into a vulnerable position as the main other Lancastrian claimant to the throne. Giving Henry the opportunity to escape capture, Jasper Tudor safely removed his nephew from England and he and Henry remained in exile in France for fourteen years.

Join now!

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, ...

This is a preview of the whole essay