Key Events in Henry VII's Quest for the Throne:

• 1483: Henry Tudor returns to England and claims the throne after the death of Richard III.
• 1485: The Battle of Bosworth Field; Henry defeats Richard III and becomes King Henry VII.
• 1486: Marriage to Elizabeth of York, uniting the rival houses of Lancaster and York.
• 1487: The Battle of Stoke; Henry consolidates his power.
• 1492: The Treaty of Etaples with France, securing peace and funding.

These events marked critical points in Henry's efforts to establish and secure his rule. Understanding the sequence helps explain how he built a stable monarchy.

Questions:

1. Outline the key events that led Henry VII to become king. (4 marks)

• Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Henry's return to England in 1483", "His claim to the throne after Richard III's death", "His victory at Bosworth Field in 1485", "Marriage to Elizabeth of York" ], "model_answer": "Henry VII's rise to the throne involved returning to England in 1483, claiming the throne after Richard III's death, winning the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, and uniting the houses through marriage to Elizabeth of York." }

2. Compare the significance of the Battle of Bosworth and the marriage to Elizabeth of York in securing Henry's reign. (6 marks)

• Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Bosworth secured Henry's physical control of the throne", "The marriage strengthened political legitimacy and united rival houses", "Both events helped establish Henry's authority", "Bosworth was a military victory; marriage was a political alliance" ], "model_answer": "The Battle of Bosworth was crucial as it gave Henry control of the throne militarily, while his marriage to Elizabeth of York helped secure political legitimacy and unite England's rival factions, thus both were vital for consolidating his rule." }

3. Explain how Henry VII used marriage and treaties to strengthen his position. (4 marks)

• Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Marriage to Elizabeth of York united the Lancaster and York families", "Treaty of Etaples secured peace with France", "These alliances reduced threats and increased stability", "Marriage created legitimacy and peace" ], "model_answer": "Henry used marriage to unite rival houses and treaties like Etaples to secure peace, both strategies reducing external threats and strengthening his position as king." }

4. Analyse the importance of Henry VII's actions in the early years of his reign. (8 marks)

• Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "His military victory at Bosworth was essential to establish authority", "Marriage to Elizabeth of York helped legitimize his claim", "Treaties and diplomacy reduced threats from France and Spain", "His efforts to control the nobility prevented rebellions", "These actions laid the foundation for a stable reign" ], "model_answer": "Henry VII's early actions, including the Battle of Bosworth, marriage alliance, and diplomatic treaties, were crucial in consolidating his power, reducing threats, and establishing a stable monarchy that lasted throughout his reign." }

5. Write a short paragraph explaining how Henry VII's strategies to secure his throne impacted his reign. (6 marks)

• Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "His strategies created stability", "They reduced threats from rivals and nobles", "They helped him legitimize his rule", "The methods laid the groundwork for a strong monarchy" ], "model_answer": "Henry VII's strategies, including marriage, diplomacy, and controlling the nobility, helped create a stable and legitimate monarchy, allowing him to rule effectively for many years." }

6. Compare how Henry VII's methods differed from those of previous monarchs in securing his throne. (8 marks)

• Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Previous monarchs often relied on military might alone", "Henry used marriage and diplomacy more strategically", "He focused on reducing noble power through financial control", "Earlier monarchs sometimes faced more rebellions", "Henry's methods aimed for long-term stability" ], "model_answer": "Unlike previous monarchs who often depended solely on military power, Henry VII used marriage, diplomacy, and financial strategies to secure and stabilize his throne, reducing the risk of rebellion and establishing a lasting monarchy." }

7. Analyse the impact of Henry VII's early actions on his ability to govern effectively. (8 marks)

• Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "His focus on stability reduced internal conflicts", "Marriage alliances increased legitimacy", "Diplomatic treaties prevented wars", "Controlling the nobility limited rebellions", "These actions helped him implement policies and maintain order" ], "model_answer": "Henry VII's early actions created a stable foundation that allowed him to govern effectively by reducing threats, increasing legitimacy, and maintaining order through strategic alliances and control of powerful nobles." }

8. Write a brief conclusion about why Henry VII's strategies were successful in securing his throne. (4 marks)

• Marking: { "indicative_content": [ "Combined military, marriage, and diplomatic strategies", "Reduced threats from rivals and nobles", "Created political stability", "Ensured long-term legitimacy" ], "model_answer": "Henry VII's combination of military victory, strategic marriage, and diplomacy, along with controlling powerful nobles, was successful because it created a stable and legitimate monarchy that endured." }