

It’s here that Henry VIII was born.Great news from the mailing list! Henry VII extended the Palace of Placentia, transforming it into a Tudor favourite and a retreat from the City of London. Henry also faced numerous plots and conspiracies during his reign as he sought to cement his authority following victory against Richard III. Warbeck made several attempts to invade England, but Henry was adamant that Warbeck was an imposter. This was met with anger, and eventually Catherine married Henry’s second son, who would become Henry VIII.įind out more about Henry VIII's wives His claim to the throne was challengedĪ man named Perkin Warbeck came forward, claiming to be Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York – one of the ‘Princes in the Tower’. Henry did not want to give up the money and suggested that he marry Catherine himself. When his son Arthur Prince of Wales died, Catherine of Aragon’s father wanted back the dowry that he had paid. He tried to marry Catherine of Aragon himself The Tudor rose is made up of the white rose of York and the red rose of Lancaster, symbolising the unity of the two warring households. By defeating Yorkist armies at the Battle of Bosworth Field, Henry ended the War of the Roses and established a new Tudor dynasty. Henry was a nephew of the last Lancastrian king, but his claim to the throne was tenuous. Henry's ancestors included Welsh nobility, and he made use of these links and the symbol of the red dragon in order to gain support against Richard III. This red dragon now features on the Welsh flag. Henry VII was the first person to use the red dragon of Cadwaladr as part of his coat arms. Henry VII dies | 21 April 1509 Facts about Henry VII Marries Elizabeth of York | 18 January 1486 Henry’s father Edmund Tudor dies | 3 November 1456īattle of Bosworth Field | 22 August 1485Ĭoronation as Henry VII | 30 October 1485
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Henry VII by Hans Holbein, on display in the Queen's House It was the birth of their daughter Catherine, who only lived for one day, that led to Elizabeth of York’s death. Despite his father's concerns, the Tudor dynasty would continue with Henry - he would even marry his brother's widow Catherine after acceding to the throne.Īs for Henry VII's other children, Margaret Tudor became the wife of James IV of Scotland, and Mary Tudor married Louis XII and became Queen of France. Henry VII's younger son (the future Henry VIII) was only ten years old when his brother Arthur died. It also meant that the time and effort put into preparing Arthur had been wasted, and that Catherine of Aragon was now without a husband. The lack of a male heir old enough to take the throne weakened his rule, particularly given England's bitter recent history of competing claims to the thone. This left his father in a difficult position. However, in 1502 Arthur died of a sweating sickness. The wedding between Catherine and Arthur was an extravagant one: royal palaces and St Paul's Cathedral were refurbished, and Catherine arrived by procession. A marriage with the daughter of the King of Spain strengthened the Tudor position and made England appear credible on the world stage. Because Henry VII had grown up in exile, he wanted to give Arthur the skills and preparation that he had lacked.Īrthur married Catherine of Aragon in 1501. Arthur was even christened at Winchester Cathedral, where King Arthur supposedly sat with his Knights of the Round Table.Īrthur was well prepared for the role of King. When Arthur was born he was presented as the heir of King Arthur, to strengthen Henry’s position as king. Henry’s eldest son Arthur was first in line to the throne. Henry and Elizabeth had eight children, but only four survived past childhood. This served him well at the Battle of Bosworth Field, and the marriage would help to 'unite' the two warring families following his victory.Įlizabeth gave birth to their first son Arthur in September 1486. It is thought that they were killed.Įlizabeth was chosen as a wife for political reasons: in promising to marry her ahead of his arrival in England, Henry gained support from Yorkist enemies of Richard III. She was the elder sister of ‘the Princes in the Tower’, who mysteriously disappeared after being taken into the care of their uncle, the man who would become Richard III.

Henry VII married Elizabeth of York, daughter of the Yorkist king Edward IV of England. These effigies show them with their hands clasped in prayer, a reference to their piety. Both Henry and Elizabeth are depicted in tomb effigies. Henry was buried in Westminster Abbey next to his wife, Elizabeth of York. Henry VII died on 21 April 1509 at Richmond Palace in Surrey. Richard III was defeated at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 How did Henry VII die?
