why was henry vii called the winter king

They were also in charge of various administrative duties, such as the checking of weights and measures. Henry VII ruled - as Machiavelli, just after his reign, was to advise usurpers to do - through fear rather than love. [11] When Edward IV became King in 1461, Jasper Tudor went into exile abroad. When he met Richard III at Bosworth Field, Henry found that his army of dissidents and mercenaries was completely outnumbered. Henry VII, grown rich from Morton's Fork and other squeezes, was far from a bumpkin trying to break into the royal circles of western Europe--he was being courted, and he knew very well to play Castile (Hapsburg) and Aragon off against one another after Isabella died (and Catherine might very well have been packed off home to marry someone else, it was common). The expressive and evocative power of his writing, and the union of scholarship with artistry, are rare in modern historical writing. [47], Henry VII's policy was to maintain peace and to create economic prosperity. He married his brother's widow, Catherine of Aragon. Luther made a protest against the Catholic practice of Indulgences. He was the last king of England to win his throne on the field of battle. Henry VII's reign has yielded an evocative study, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, ILLUSTRATION: CLIFFORD HARPER/AGRAPHIA.CO.UK. [citation needed] Henry had been under the financial and physical protection of the French throne or its vassals for most of his life before becoming king. [54], Henry VII was much enriched by trading alum, which was used in the wool and cloth trades as a chemical fixative for dyeing fabrics. Henry Tudors claim to the throne was, therefore, weak and of no importance until the deaths in 1471 of Henry VIs only son, Edward, of his own two remaining kinsmen of the Beaufort line, and of Henry VI himself, which suddenly made Henry Tudor the sole surviving male with any ancestral claim to the house of Lancaster. Their powers and numbers steadily increased during the time of the Tudors, never more so than under Henry's reign. [15], By 1483, Henry's mother was actively promoting him as an alternative to Richard III, despite her being married to Lord Stanley, a Yorkist. In 1407, Henry IV, Gaunt's son by his first wife, issued new Letters Patent confirming the legitimacy of his half-siblings but also declaring them ineligible for the throne. Raised in France, admiring of Italian-trained lawyers (and reaping the reward of the return of a whole generation of educated English commoners who sat out the War of the Roses abroad), with good taste in Renaissance art and advised by his gracious wife and steely mother, Henry VII is a major figure, not a prequel. In response to this threat within his own household, the King instituted more rigid security for access to his person. Penn is not one to understate a case. [citation needed] John Cabot, originally from Genoa and Venice, had heard that ships from Bristol had discovered uncharted new found territory far west of Ireland. Its inhabitant was once one of England's most exuberant kings, yet his resting place was only re-discovered in 1813. [57], In 1506, Henry extorted the Treaty of Windsor from Philip the Handsome, Duke of Burgundy. Henry's mother, Margaret Beaufort, was a descendant of the Lancastrian branch of the House of Plantagenet. He had, Bacon added, much to be suspicious about, "his times" being "full of secret conspiracies and troubles". [50] Henry had pressured the French by laying siege to Boulogne in October 1492. Alison Weir points out that the Rennes ceremony, two years earlier, was plausible only if Henry and his supporters were certain that the Princes were already dead. Henry spared Richard's nephew and designated heir, John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln, and made the Yorkist heiress Margaret Plantagenet Countess of Salisbury suo jure. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. His younger brother, Jasper Tudor, the Earl of Pembroke, undertook to protect Edmund's widow Margaret, who was 13 years old when she gave birth to Henry. By 1900 the "New Monarchy" interpretation stressed the common factors that in each country led to the revival of monarchical power. For me, history is alive and energizing - not something static and remote. - and that was only about 50% of the book, it was only about 50% interesting to me. How like a winter hath my absence been From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year! Henry VIII - Loss of popularity | Britannica - Encyclopedia Britannica That was to prevent the King of France capturing him and letting him loose on the English as a rival. Henry VII, also called (145785) Henry Tudor, earl of Richmond, (born January 28, 1457, Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire, Walesdied April 21, 1509, Richmond, Surrey, England), king of England (14851509), who succeeded in ending the Wars of the Roses between the houses of Lancaster and York and founded the Tudor dynasty. I have to admit to being a history geek. The father's government was an exercise in discoloration. [3] Henry's paternal grandfather, Owen Tudor, originally from the Tudors of Penmynydd, Isle of Anglesey in Wales, had been a page in the court of King Henry V. He rose to become one of the "Squires to the Body to the King" after military service at the Battle of Agincourt. Only through the deaths of more obvious claimants, and after the accession of Richard III in 1483, when Henry was 26, did he become a leading candidate. However, this treaty came at a price, as Henry mounted a minor invasion of Brittany in November 1492. His father was the son of Owen Tudor, a Welsh squire, and Catherine of France, the widow of King Henry V. His mother was the great-granddaughter of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, whose children by Catherine Swynford were born before he married her. Henry VIII was spring and Henry VII was winter. Penn explained how Henry reworked recent events to suit him. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. He had enough of that getting himself to the throne. So 4 stars. [66], Henry wanted to maintain the Spanish alliance. In the late 20th century a model of European state formation was prominent in which Henry less resembles Louis and Ferdinand. Henry VII was born on 28 January 1457 at Pembroke Castle, in the English-speaking portion of Pembrokeshire known as Little England beyond Wales. Henry VII declared himself king by just title of inheritance and by the judgment of God in battle, after slaying Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. But Henry had a crucial asset: his queen and their children, the living embodiment of his hoped-for dynasty. Having secured financial backing from Florentine bankers in London, Cabot was granted carefully phrased letters patent from Henry in March 1496, permitting him to embark on an exploratory voyage westerly. (HIST003) Persecutions, Populations and Politics: Early Modern Britain 1550-1750, (HIST004) Country, Colonies and Culture: Early Modern Britain 1550-1750, (HIST006) The Stuart Court: History Politics and Culture, (HIST010) The Tudors: History, Culture and Religion, (HIST011) The English Country House: History, Architecture and Landscape, (HIST018) The Changing English Countryside, 20th Century Musicals: A Celebration of Song and Dance on the Silver Screen and the Stage. Why is Henry VIII's Tomb So Small When His Life Was So Very Opulent? Edward, Earl of Warwick, the ten-year-old son of Edward IV's brother George, Duke of Clarence, was the senior surviving male of the House of York. Henry VII (28 January 1457 - 21 April 1509) was King of England from his seizure of the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death in 1509. France, Burgundy, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain and the Hanseatic League all rejected the treaty, which was never in force. Stanleys betrayal led to a complete security overhaul and his privy chamber going into lockdown. Through this, he found that his Lord Chamberlain, Sir William Stanley, was involved in the plot. Edward would have liked to rid himself of Henry, a rival to his throne, but Francis kept Henry safe. Henry VIII had become heir to the throne when his elder brother, Arthur, died in 1502. He spent most of the next 14 years under the protection of Francis II, Duke of Brittany. He was the first monarch of the House of Tudor. Henry VII: Winter King was aired last night on BBC2 and was the latest programme in BBC2s Tudor Court Season. Here is a rundown of the programme for those who missed it. Since we are in the middle of winter, Ive been thinking of a volume on my shelves on Henry VII, who could be called the Winter King. In many ways, it highlights that Henry VIII was a feckless inheritor of the tools of Machiavellian power, but had no idea to what productive end to put them. He likens the beginning of Henry VIIIs reign to a metaphorical spring, a second coming of sorts because Henry VIII seemed to be the opposite of his father. The devastated King became so ill that he was close to death, but then he recovered and Penn explains that when he took control once more, he was remorseless. He was the first monarch of the House of Tudor.[a]. His claim to the throne was precarious and he wanted to portray Richard . The last few years of his reign were ones of repression. Poor Henry VII. [8], In 1456, Henry's father Edmund Tudor was captured while fighting for Henry VI in South Wales against the Yorkists. Some of it is due to his personality--he played his cards close to the vest, unlike his son--and some of it is due to Tudor spin--they were, after all trying to bolster up the royal credentials for a man who didn't have that many. [5], The descent of Henry's mother, Margaret, through the legitimised House of Beaufort bolstered Henry's claim to the English throne. He was supported in this effort by his chancellor, Archbishop John Morton, whose "Morton's Fork" was a catch-22 method of ensuring that nobles paid increased taxes: those nobles who spent little must have saved much, and thus could afford the increased taxes; in contrast, those nobles who spent much obviously had the means to pay the increased taxes. Author Thomas Penn takes an extraordinary journey into the dark and chilling world of the first Tudor King, Henry VII. Henry was devastated. After winning the throne of England, he wed Elizabeth of York, the eldest daughter of the dead Yorkist king Edward IV. [49] The confused, fractious nature of Breton politics undermined his efforts, which finally failed after three sizeable expeditions, at a cost of 24,000. This was accomplished through the targeted imposition of fines and bonds through extrajudicial councils. Together, they had seven children. This was excellent. This is why he named the book the Winter King. [68] In 1505 he was sufficiently interested in a potential marriage to Joanna of Naples that he sent ambassadors to Naples to report on the 27-year-old Joanna's physical suitability. Overspending by Henry VIII to pay for his lavish lifestyle and to fund foreign wars with France and Scotland are cited as . They were unpaid, which, in comparison with modern standards, meant a smaller tax bill for law enforcement. [77][78] His mother died two months later on 29 June 1509. [17] Now supported by Francis II's prime minister, Pierre Landais, Richard III attempted to extradite Henry from Brittany, but Henry escaped to France. Royal Collection Trust At the summit, even dinnerware testified to its owner's status. The purpose of the agreement was to prevent France from annexing Brittany. We know that Henry attended the wedding celebrations of Arthur and his bride . In 1485, history was about to be changed for ever by a man who was a refugee, a fugitive whod spent half his life on the run and with barely a claim to the throne: Henry Tudor. But Henry had a crucial asset: his queen and their children, the living embodiment of his hoped-for dynasty. Dydd Gyl Dewi Hapus! Several of Richard's key allies, such as Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland, and also Lord Stanley and his brother William, crucially switched sides or left the battlefield. Backdating Henry's Reign. He invited artists, musicians and scholars to live at his court. The usual courts and justice system were totally circumvented, and there was no chance of appeal other than purchasing extremely high priced royal pardons. He made huge gobs of money binding his subjects to him with loyalty bonds. A man who rewrote history and rebuilt the crown, but who was paranoid, manipulative and suspicious; a dark prince with a wintery reign. The marriage did not take place during his lifetime. I am glad to say that I think it does, for it concentrates on the reign, and court, of Henry VII, giving a different slant to the well known story. When Henry VIII Wrestled the King of Franceand Lost [30] Before departing for London, Henry sent Robert Willoughby to Sheriff Hutton in Yorkshire, to arrest Warwick and take him to the Tower of London. [18] He was welcomed by the French, who readily supplied him with troops and equipment for a second invasion. I would read more by this author. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Thomas Penns Winter King in a brilliant mash-up of gothic horror and political biography. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. He took care not to address the baronage or summon Parliament until after his coronation, which took place in Westminster Abbey on 30 October 1485. [45], Henry VII established the pound avoirdupois as a standard of weight; it later became part of the Imperial[46] and customary systems of units. [38], Unlike his predecessors, Henry VII came to the throne without personal experience in estate management or financial administration. Letters to relatives have an affectionate tone not captured by official state business, as evidenced by many written to his mother Margaret. [43] According to the contemporary historian Polydore Vergil, simple "greed" underscored the means by which royal control was over-asserted in Henry's final years. Henry marries Catherine of Aragon. Henrys throne, however, was far from secure. The rest, as we say, is history; Richard III was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth and Henry Tudor had arrived out of nowhere and avenged the death of the little princes in the tower, although there is some debate as to who was actually responsible for their murder. Henry VII (28 January 1457 21 April 1509) was King of England from his seizure of the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death in 1509. Before taking the throne, he was known as Henry Tudor, earl of Richmond. This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers. His history plays depicted the dramatic conflicts of the wars of the roses, which Henry's accession after his victory at Bosworth in 1485 brought to an end. He likens the beginning of Henry VIII's reign to a metaphorical spring, a second coming of sorts because Henry VIII seemed to be the opposite of his father. Old rivalries simmered, however. Fittingly he dressed in expensive black. Henry VII was king of England from 1485 to 1509. Henry was the only child of Edmund Tudor , Earl of Richmond , and Margaret Beaufort . I thought the way he controled the nobility was fascinating - keeping them in check as well a raising vast sums of money at the same time. Wales was historically a Lancastrian stronghold, and Henry owed the support he gathered to his Welsh birth and ancestry, being agnatically descended from Rhys ap Gruffydd. For him, it was never about glory and battle. Scapegoats were needed for Henry VIIs reign, people to blame for the old regime, so Edmund Dudley was imprisoned and executed on trumped up charges. Happy St Davids Day! Unfortunately, since all I really wanted to know about was learning about Henry the 7th and his family as people - the things that happened to them, what kind of people they were, etc. Famed British author Thomas Penn takes an extraordinary journey into the dark and chilling world of the first Tudor King, Henry VII. However, King Henry the VIII was much more self-centered as most of his spending was inappropriate and did not benefit England much. MP3 CD. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Shakespeare later turned to Henry's son and successor Henry VIII, whose rule brought marital sensation, renaissance spectacle and the reformation. Elizabeth did get pregnant, but then went into premature labour. Author of, Assistant Master and Professor of History, Selwyn College, University of Cambridge. [29] Henry secured his crown principally by dividing and undermining the power of the nobility, especially through the aggressive use of bonds and recognisances to secure loyalty. At the same time, Flemish merchants were ejected from England. [20] He amassed an army of about 5,0006,000 soldiers. After Edward retook the throne in 1471, Henry Tudor spent 14 years in exile in Brittany. Henrys Chamber Accounts show payment to strangers and people across the sea, who appear to have been part of a network of spies and informers who kept an eye on potential troublemakers and alerted the King.