Treaty of Medina del Campo 1489
Background Henry Tudor had succeeded to the English throne following the defeat of King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in August 1485. His accession ended the 330 year rule of the Plantagenets … Read more
Henry VII
William Warham, Archbishop of Canterbury 1450 – 1532
Early Years William Warham was born in Oakley, Hampshire around the year 1450. His father was Robert Warham of Malshanger and his mother was named Elizabeth. It is believed that William had a number of … Read more
Tudor Archbishops of Canterbury
There were nine Tudor Archbishops of Canterbury. All were influential during the period. 1454 – 1486 – Cardinal Thomas Bourchier (1411 – 1486) Thomas Bourchier was born around 1411, the son of William Bourchier and … Read more
What was King Henry VII’s Foreign Policy?
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 … Read more
Ralph Wulford, Pretender, died 1499
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 … Read more
Richard Empson 1450 – 1510
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 … Read more
Edmund Dudley 1462 – 1510
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 … Read more
Who Were The Tudor Kings and Queens?
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 … Read more
King Henry VII 1457 – 1509 Biography
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 … Read more
Tudor Money and Finance
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 … Read more
Jasper Tudor 1431 – 1495
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 … Read more
Edmund Tudor 1430 – 1456
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 … Read more
Catherine of Valois 1401 – 1437
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 … Read more
Elizabeth of York 1466 – 1503
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 … Read more
The Practice of Keeping Retainers
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 … Read more
Arthur Tudor 1486 – 1502
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 … Read more
Perkin Warbeck 1474 – 1499
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 … Read more
What was England like in 1500?
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 … Read more
Margaret Beaufort Countess of Richmond 1443 – 1509
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 … Read more
Princess Elizabeth Tudor 1492 – 1495
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 … Read more