The London Examiner

Back to Character Menu                                                                                                                                                                            April 22, 1509

Beloved King Dies at Home

By: T. L. Havill

King Henry VII, son of Edmund and Margaret (Beaufort) Tudor, passed away on April 21, 1509 due to poor health in his palace of Richmond.  He is predeceased by both his father, his wife Elizabeth of York and five children (Arthur, Elizabeth, Edmond, Edward and Katherine).  His claim to the throne was from his mother’s side which made his claim weak but this did not hinder his motivation, he conquered his rival for the throne, Richard. “The day was 22 August 1485; the battlefield was to be named after the small neighboring town of Market Bosworth; the fallen King was the third and ablest of English monarchs who bore the name Richard; and the man whom the battle made a king was to be the seventh and perhaps the greatest of those who bore the name Henry.”[1]  Henry’s coronation took place in October of 1485 and to increase security to his position he married Elizabeth of York on January 18, 1486.  This marriage symbolically ended the War of the Roses; the York and Lancaster houses were united, creating the Tudor Rose.  Henry focused on restoring faith in the monarchy and rewarding those who supported him in his political endeavors. “He was distinguished, wise and prudent in character: and his spirit was so brave and resolute that never, even in moments of greatest danger, did it desert him.”[2]

Henry had much opposition in his first years as king, because although the War of Roses was symbolically over there were people who opposed his kingship.  “The main threat that his enemies posed came from their support for ‘pretenders’ to the crown—boys who were set up either as one of Edward IV’s sons…or as the imprisoned Earl of Warwick.”[3] Henry persevered and by keeping track of his enemies’ actions, removing certain powerful people and crowning Elizabeth as queen he was able to retain his power and please enough people to secure his position. Henry ruled successfully for 24 years because he was able to transfer political power from the nobility to royalty.   Henry VII was also able to rescue the treasury from dire straits by tightening the reins and taking control of a tough situation.  “Henry strengthened the power of the monarchy by using traditional methods of government to tighten royal administration and increase revenues (reportedly including a daily examination of accounts). Royal income rose from an annual average of £52,000 to £142,000 by the end of Henry's reign.”[4]  Henry’s reign was not lacking drama and tragedy but this king took it all in stride and stayed focused - a trait that runs strong in the Tudor family.  He was able to see beyond his reign and set up strong alliances for his surviving children so that they could carry on the Tudor rule.  He will be greatly missed by his surviving family: his mother, Lady Margaret and children, Henry, Margaret and Mary.  He will be laid to rest in the great chapel near his wife, Elizabeth.