Henry VII was the King of England and Lord of Ireland.
Background
The birth date of Henry Tudor was 28 January 1457 at Pembroke Castle. He was the son of Margaret Beaufort who was the daughter of John Beaufort, who was the daughter of duke of Lancaster, John Gaunt a military personnel and duke of Somerset in 1418. Margaret Beaufort was born 31st may 1443 and she was barely 13 years of age when she bore him and his father passed away months before he was born. His mother did not know her father since he had died in his expedition in France. Henry’s father was Edmund Tudor who was the earl of Richmond and who was also the half-brother to King Henry VI. He was the son of a princess of France and also the Queen of England and her Welsh attendant.
Since he was born during the reign of Edward IV, at the age of 4 years he was always being relocated from one castle to the other. He was arrested at some point in time after that he was taken to Brittany by his uncle Jasper Tudor who lived abroad in exile. At some point of time his uncle was being lured to surrender him to Edward IV until more Englishmen were driven away by Richard III.
Education
There is no concrete information with regard to the educational background of Henry VII but it is worth noting that when he became King he was remembered as having good education. He was remembered as having received two Oxford scholarships namely Haseley and Scot scholarships. He was also given education by his uncle Jasper who had taken him abroad when he was a teenager. When he was in exile he used to attend ducal court when he was a teen and at the hands of the duke.
Career
The life of Henry VII was disorderly in nature since he spent most of it in exile while facing numerous challenges which included seeking refuge from different individuals. His main goal was to return to power was to go back home one day and be an earl but later there was the urge of becoming the king of England. He organized countless plots which included exaggeration of reports in support of his quest to organize a Lancastrian-led invasion. The monarch would in turn be uneasy owing to such exaggeration. French support was behind the allegation of the spy and it allowed Jasper Tudor to enter the continent.
When Henry was 13 years old he had been taken by a relative called Anne Devereux to Hereford and given him to Jasper Tudor. At this time Warwick had freed Henry VI through an invasion, after entering London. Henry left with Jasper after having a chance to meet with his mother for six weeks in London. Henry VII was not made earl of Richmond since George duke of Clarence did not give it back after taking it all as the legitimate heir. There was another battle in Tewkesbury between the Lancastrians and Edward IV whereupon the Lancastrians were defeated.
Henry VII’s mother was captured by King Edward IV and he therefore little Henry had to be taken by Jasper. At Tewkesbury there were the dead of King Henry IV at the tower. Due to the unforeseen event, Henry VII was taken to France Jasper. This was with the hope that Louis XI was to afford them another chance to come back and reclaim the throne.
Jasper fought Vaughan at Wales before arriving in France whereby he defeated him and killed him. Henry VII managed to get to France and landed in Brittany into the hands of Francis II who yearned for independence from French. Henry and Jasper were the diplomatic tools that Francis was to use in this consideration. In mid 1476, Edward tried to bring back Henry with the aid of his mother. This was based on the fact that he was to inherit the land and also to marry one of Edward’s daughters. With the consent of Francis, Henry was to be sent back to England but he faked illness at the port and he was not returned. Being a teenage at this time, he attended ducal courts after avoiding being returned to England. Despite the compulsion and the lure to inherit Margaret estates fully and Edward’s favor, there had not been a concrete decision before the untimely death of King Edward.
Richard III seized the throne from Edward V who was only 12 year. This turn of events prompted Henry to want to return to England because a more probable chance to claim the throne. Also, it is claimed that Richard III had utterly murdered Henry V and his brother in the tower. Buckingham who had legitimate claim on the throne like Richard wrote to Henry on the intention to form one rebellion since he feared he could be murdered by Richard like Henry V and his brother. The rebellion was a failure and Buckingham ended up being captured and some of his allies who managed to escape joined Henry Tudor in Brittany. Nevertheless, Buckingham was executed with his six year old son by Richard III.
Henry made a public speech in exile whereupon he promised to marry Elizabeth. When he was making his speech they were approximately 500 men who were in exile. Due to the need of upkeep of an army, and purchase of fleets and arm Henry had no option but to loan money from the duke. Henry later left for France to seek support from the French parliament. While on this untold quest, he was sending letters to supporters in England who were dissatisfied with the way Richard was running his administration.
With the support from French parliament Henry was fortunate to have had an army of 400 Englishmen, 1000 Scots and 1500 soldiers from French army. There were a total of 4000 men on the side of Henry VII. When they entered England they were welcomed in Wales. He secretly met with Lord Stanley and also sends a letter to one John ap Maredudd. This was after entering Dale. The battle took place in Bosworth Field after Henry and Richard each exhibited nervousness that day because of the uncertainty of the side Lord William Stanley stood. Richard was more contented since he had in custody the sons of Lord William Stanley. The war took 2 hours in narrow terrain in Bosworth Field and King Richard III was killed. This was after Lord Stanley’s army joined the battle on the Henry Tudors’ side. This was followed by the coronation of Henry VII as the King of England. The first Tudor King of England. The body of Richard had been hit on the head until the helmet had attached itself on the skull and it was left for two days for the general public to view. Also, it was buried and later unburied and the carcass thrown out and the coffin used as the through for feeding horses. Richard I was England’s last king to be killed in a battlefield and the last one not to have received a state burial.
Achievements
King Henry’s major achievement is the fact that he became King of England after the death of King Richard III who was killed in battle. He was officially made King when Lord Stanley officially placed the throne on his head. His reign lasted 24 years. He was the first King of England to establish the Tudor dynasty.
Religion
The background of Henry’s religious stance is unclear but it is worth noting that at this time the religion in England at the time when he was born was Christianity.
Politics
Henry VII had little knowledge with regard to the English politics since he had spent most of his life in exile. He used the wars of Roses to effect his reign as a king. Those who were known to be affiliated to Richard were executed and their estates and property confiscated to the throne.
Views
It is not surprising that Henry VII became King because he always thought that life is a journey which one must endeavor to complete. Despite having gone to exile as a teen Henry came back home after fourteen years and became the first Tudor King of England.
Personality
Henry VI was a hard working king who was also full of dedication. It is also worth noting that he had a high level of discipline. He also was a coward because he won a war which he himself did not participate in. He had kept a horse by his side for escaping purposes just in case he lost the war. Despite being fortunate in war, his constitutional inclination was directed towards peace. As a king, he was known for punishing manslaughter and violence in a vigorous manner. His subjects were not contented with the way he handled these matters since they had been living harmoniously prior to his reign. He was a religious person who was pious. Nevertheless, he suffered from obscure avarice of the virtues in his latter days. His monarchial reign was distorted with questions on integrity, trustfulness and justice.
Henry VII was the king of England for 24 years. During his reign showed enthusiasm and devotion to his government. He initiated household account books. He recognized financial security and used all means to secure financial stability. He established the council Learned in Law to conduct taxes issues upon his subjects.
Physical Characteristics:
Henry VII ad a slender body but he was strong and well built. His height was above average. His facial appearance was cheerful and attractive particularly when having a conversation. He had grey hair which was thin and his eyes were blue and also small. He had poor teeth which were few and black in color.
Quotes from others about the person
“Of all losses, time is the most irrecuperable for it can never be redeemed.”
Interests
Justice to Public
Connections
Henry was married to Elizabeth. They had a son called Prince Arthur and daughter Mary.
Father:
Edmund Tudor
11 June 1430 – 3 November 1456
Mother:
Lady Margaret Beaufort
28 January 1457 – 21 April 1509
Spouse:
Elizabeth of York
11 February 1466 – 11 February 1503
Son:
Prince Arthur
20 September 1486 – 2 April 1502
Arthur Tudor was Prince of Wales, Earl of Chester and Duke of Cornwall.
Daughter:
Margaret Tudor
28 November 1489 – 18 October 1541
Margaret Tudor was Queen of Scots from 1503 until 1513 by marriage to James IV of Scotland and then, after her husband died fighting the English, she became regent for their son James V of Scotland from 1513 until 1515.
Son:
Henry VIII of England
28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547
Daughter:
Mary Tudor
18 March 1496 – 25 June 1533
Mary Tudor was an English princess who was briefly Queen of France and later progenitor of a family which claimed the English throne.
