When Henry VII became King in 1485 his foreign policy had four main aims: secure the throne; establish the Tudor dynasty; gain recognition from European monarchs increase revenue through foreign trade. Aim 1 – Secure the throne Background Henry VII had become King after defeating and killing Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. … Read more
Ralph Wulford or Wilford, was the son of a cordwainer (shoemaker). He may have been born in London, or he may have been a member of the Wilford family from Kent. Nothing is known of his early life but it is believed that he studied at Cambridge University. He came to prominence early 1499 when … Read more
Richard Empson was the son of Peter Empson and Elizabeth Joseph. His exact date of birth is not known but he is believed to have been born around 1450 in Towcester, Northamptonshire. Education and Work There is very little information about Empson’s early life but records show that he was training as a lawyer at … Read more
Edmund Dudley was the son of Sir John Dudley of Atherington and Elizabeth Bramshott. He was born around the year 1462 in West Sussex. Education and Work Details of Dudley’s early education are not recorded but he attended Oxford University before entering Gray’s Inn to train as a lawyer. In 1491 Edmund Dudley became Member … Read more
There were a total of six Tudor kings and queens, but only five of them were crowned. They are arguably the most famous and popular of the British monarchs, ruling over a period of great change in culture, philosophy and religion. The Tudor kings and queens were devout, educated and powerful people. They promoted their … Read more
King Henry VII was the first Tudor monarch. He came to the throne in 1485 after winning the Battle of Bosworth Field. His reign laid the foundation for the Tudor dynasty. Background King Henry VII was born on 28th January 1457 at Pembroke Castle, Wales. His mother was thirteen year old Margaret Beaufort, daughter … Read more
Coinage Tudor money was in the form of coins and there were no paper notes. At the beginning of the Tudor period, the coins in existence were: a silver penny, a groat which was worth four pennies and an Angel which was worth 120 pennies or ten shillings. A pound was not a coin … Read more
Jasper Tudor was the uncle of King Henry VII and played an important role in aiding his accession to the throne and the founding of the Tudor dynasty. Childhood Jasper was born in 1431 the third son of Henry V’s widow, Catherine of Valois and Owen Tudor, the keeper of her wardrobe. Both he and … Read more
Edmund Tudor was the father of King Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty. Childhood Edmund was born in 1430 to Catherine of Valois and Owen Tudor. Catherine was the widow of King Henry V and mother of King Henry VI, while Owen Tudor was the keeper of Catherine’s wardrobe. It is likely that … Read more
Catherine of Valois was the paternal grandmother of King Henry VII. Childhood Born on 27th October 1401, she was the daughter of King Charles VI and his wife Isabeau of Bavaria. Her father set about trying to secure an advantageous marriage for her soon after her birth. At the age of three she was … Read more
Elizabeth of York was the daughter of King Edward IV. She married Henry Tudor after he defeated Richard III at Bosworth Field and became King. Their marriage ended the War of the Roses. She had four children that survived to adulthood: Arthur Prince of Wales, Henry VIII; Margaret Queen of Scotland and Mary Queen … Read more
Definition of Retainers In the Middle Ages the Feudal System established a link between the different classes. Under the system, land was provided in return for a fee or service. By the beginning of the Tudor period, the practice of keeping retainers had been adopted by noblemen to ensure a loyal workforce. Retainers were … Read more
Early Life Arthur Tudor was born to Henry VII and Elizabeth of York at St Swithun’s Priory, Winchester, on 20th September 1486. Arthur was named after the legendary King Arthur to reinforce the lineage of the new Tudor dynasty. He was also created Duke of Cornwall on the day he was born. The Bishop … Read more
Early Life The origins of the pretender Perkin Warbeck are not known for sure. Historians have used information from the confession he made in 1497 to piece together his early life. Perkin Warbeck stated that he was born in Tournai in 1474, the son of a poor burgess, Jehan de Werbecque and his wife … Read more
Population In 1500 the population of England was about 3 million. Due to yearly outbreaks of plague and sickness the population stayed at about this number. There was a general shortage of labourers which meant wages were high and rents low. All classes therefore enjoyed a reasonable standard of living. London The city of London … Read more
Early Years Margaret Beaufort was born on 31st May 1443 at Bletsoe Castle, Bedfordshire. She was the daughter of John Beaufort, Earl of Somerset and Margaret Beauchamp. Her father had fought a failed campaign in France and was about to be charged with treason. It is thought that Margaret’s father committed suicide in Spring … Read more
Princess Elizabeth Tudor was born on 2nd July 1492 at Sheen Palace in Surrey. Henry VII later rebuilt Sheen Palace and named it Richmond Palace. She was the fourth child of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. Princess Elizabeth spent time in the royal nursery with her elder siblings, Henry and Margaret. Prince Arthur … Read more
Early Years Lambert Simnel was born around 1477. It is thought that his father was either an organ maker, a joiner or a baker. Lambert was educated by Richard Symonds, a priest from Oxford. Symonds was a committed Yorkist who opposed Henry VII’s place on the throne. He thought that Simnel looked like Edward, … Read more
The Battle of Bosworth Field ended the Wars of the Roses. Henry Tudor was proclaimed King on the battlefield. The rule of the Plantagenets ended and the Tudor Dynasty began. Background In 1483, King Edward IV died. His son, Edward V was a minor and Richard Duke of Gloucester was made protector. Richard was … Read more
