The Challenges to Henry VII Security Between 1487 and the end of 1499

The Challenges to Henry VII Security Between 1487 and the end of 1499

Henry VII faced many challenges to his throne from 1487 to the end of

1499. These included many rebellions and pretenders to his throne. To

what extent was the success he dealt with them differs although the

overriding answer is that by the end of his reign he had secured his

throne and set up a dynasty, with all challengers removed.

Lambert Simnel challenged Henry’s security when Richard Symonds passed

him off as Warwick. Simnel was taken to Ireland, which had become the

centre of Yorkist plotting. Margaret of Burgundy provided money and an

army of 2000 mercenaries. They landed in Ireland in May 1487. Henry

paraded the real Warwick through London, but support of the rebellion

did not weaken and this was an unsuccessful move by Henry. He offered

pardons to the rebels, but they refused them. This form of negotiating

or appeasing demonstrates an unsuccessful attempt at dealing with it.

Henry had no means of knowing how much support the rebels might

attract when they landed. This suggests that Henry was not fully aware

or informed of the rebellion and therefore was unsure what to do.

Without knowing fully about the challenge the success with which he

could deal with the challenge was severely undermined.

Henry raised an army to answer the rebellion and on the 16th June, the

two armies met at East Stoke; just outside Newark. After fierce

fighting, the rebels were defeated. Lincoln, Schwarz and the Irish

leaders were killed in the fighting, which was a success as it removed

the focal points or play makers of the challenges and rebellions.

During the battle of East St...

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... It also provided

England with a useful ally.

By the end of the century Spain wanted to enrol England on her side

against France in the so called Holy League and she used her influence

to persuade the Emperor Maximilian to stop supporting Yorkist

pretenders. This was confirmed by the Magnus Intercursus signed in

1496, in which Henry joined the League. However, he made it clear and

did not commit himself in anyway to take aggressive action against

France with which he retained friendly relations. This was successful

as it made another ally and it meant that contenders and rebels could

use Spain either. However, due to the ties with France and the hatred

between Spain and France and the fact that England had marriage

connections with England, this may have been an unsuccessful move as

France could have broken away.