Henry VII - Consolidation of power

Henry VII's Character:

- Was respected, efficient, intelligent and shrewd but was not popular.

- He understood court politics but didn't trust anone outside a small group.

- Margaret Beaufort (mum), Jasper Tudor, Earl of Oxford , John Morton and Richard Fox were his close confidants. 

Kingship approach: 

- Involved himself in everything including the details of day - day Government

- Checked on account entries himself

- Liked double checking information given 

Aims:

Most important aim was maintianing a strong hold on the throne and pass it down to his heirs.

To do this he had to:

- Establish right to throne - Bosworth 

- Control Nobility 

- Strengthen Crown control of England 

To achieve his aims Henry had to build a finacially strong Crown 

His claim was weak was due to:

- It being through his mother who also descended from a once illegitimate barnch of Lancastrians

There were several yorkists with better claim than Henry including:

- Elizabeth of York - Eldest kid of Edward IV

- Edward/ Earl of Warwick - Edward IV and Richard III's nephew 

- John, Edmund and Richard de la pole - Nephew of Richard III and Edward IV

H7 was alwas aware that he could be usurped so to prevent this he wanted to establish a Tudor Dynasty menaing he needed to legitimise his authority, and have a line of sucession.

Legitimising:

- He dated his reign day before Battle of Bosworth Victory so he could declare all yorkists traitors  and try them for treason. - The crown could now take Yorkist Property 

Coronation:

- 30th Oct 1485 and it was a symbolic event anoiting him by God's grace and it also involved Engalnd's nobles taking a public oath of loyalty.

Parliament:

- 1st convened Parlaiment on 7th Nov 1485 - Important date as H7 aready crowned showing he wasn't dependent on Parliament.

Marriage: 

- 18 Jan 1486 - Marriage to Elizabeth of York uniting Houses Lancaster & York