King Henry VII
Henry Tudor became King Henry VII of England and Wales following the Battle of Bosworth Field. Henry’s family, the Tudors, had been involved in a long and bitter war against the house of York: The War of the Roses. At Bosworth Field Henry led his men against the forces of Richard III. The Lancastrians, followers of Henry Tudor, defeated Richard, who died in the battle: Henry Tudor now became King Henry VII of England and Wales.
Read a more detailed Biography of Henry VII
Henry couldn’t be certain that he was safe as King of England. For a hundred years the country had been torn apart by bloody conflicts and wars about who should rule. In order to make sure that he was not overthrown Henry married Elizabeth of York. Marrying Elizabeth would, Henry hoped, prevent the House of York trying to kill him as they now held some power.
Henry VII faced other problems though. Not only was he fearful for himself but he had become King of a country that had no money, law and order were a problem and perhaps most worrying was the fear of a Spanish invasion.
Henry’s rule was successful. He ended the war of the roses through his his defeat of Richard III and marriage to Elizabeth of York. He managed to make peace with Spain, his eldest son, Arthur, married Catherine of Aragon (She married Henry VIII after Arthur died) and he brought stability, law and order back to England and Wales.
The Tudors
Henry VII – Henry VIII – Edward VI – Mary – Elizabeth – Depth study on Elizabethan England
Francis Drake – Walter Raleigh – William Shakespeare – Philip II of Spain – Mary, Queen of Scots – Anne Boleyn – Mary Boleyn
Battle of Bosworth – War of the Roses – Split with Rome – Spanish Armada – Voyages of Discovery – Protestant Reformation – Elizabethan Settlement – Roanoke Colony – Act of Union with Wales
Causes of the Wars of the Roses – Course of the War of the Roses – Events of the War of the Roses
Battles in the Wars of the Roses
First Battle of St. Albans – Battle of Blore Heath – Battle of Ludford Bridge – Battle of Northampton – Battle of Wakefield – Battle of Mortimer’s Cross – Second Battle of St. Albans Battle of Ferrybridge – Battle of Towton – Battle of Hedgeley Moor – Battle of Hexham – Battle of Edgecote Moor – Battle of Losecote Field – Battle of Barnet – Battle of Tewkesbury – Battle of Bosworth – Battle of Stoke Field
Documents, Maps and Evidence
The Rous Rolls – Paston Letters – Edward IV Roll
People and periods
British History – The Wars of the Roses – The Plantagenets – The Tudors – King Henry IV – King Henry V – King Henry VI – King Edward IV – King Edward V – King Richard III – King Henry VII – Margaret of Anjou
Schoolshistory – teaching resources for Key Stage 3, GCSE and A Level history
