Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 1 The crises of…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 1 The crises of 1399–1405: Surviving rebellion, 1403–05: the challenges from the Percys and Owain Glyndwr and reasons for Henry IV’s survival; the influence of relations with Scotland and France.
Between 1403 and 1405 Henry IV faced a series of revolts that threatened to unseat him.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between 1403 and 1405 Henry IV faced a series of revolts that threatened to unseat him. The Percys, led by Henry Hotspur and the Earl of Northumberland, rebelled in 1403, while Owain Glyndwr’s Welsh rising gathered momentum. Henry survived because he acted quickly, secured key victories such as Shrewsbury (1403), and exploited divisions among his enemies. Relations with Scotland and France were crucial: Scotland provided support to the Percys, and France aided Glyndwr, but neither ally could deliver a decisive blow. Henry’s diplomacy and military successes, combined with the rebels’ lack of coordination, ensured his survival. Understanding these events requires analysing the interplay of internal rebellion and external intervention.
What earns the marks
- Explain the nature of the Percy challenge: Hotspur’s rebellion in 1403, the Battle of Shrewsbury, and Northumberland’s later revolts.
- Analyse Owain Glyndwr’s rebellion: its Welsh support, military campaigns, and the capture of key castles.
- Assess the reasons for Henry IV’s survival: rapid response, military victories, use of patronage, and divisions among rebels.
- Evaluate the influence of Scotland: Scottish support for the Percys and border warfare, and how Henry managed this threat.
- Evaluate the influence of France: French aid to Glyndwr, the threat of invasion, and Henry’s diplomatic efforts to neutralise it.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the rebellions as a single unified movement.
Put it right: Recognise that the Percy and Glyndwr rebellions were separate, with different aims and levels of coordination.
Overlooking the role of Scotland and France.
Put it right: Integrate their influence as external factors that both aided rebels and shaped Henry’s responses.
Assuming Henry’s survival was inevitable.
Put it right: Explain the contingent factors, such as the Battle of Shrewsbury and the capture of key rebels, that were crucial.
Exam tips
- Plan your answer to address each clause of the question: the challenges, reasons for survival, and the influence of Scotland and France.
- Use specific evidence, such as dates, names, and battles, to support your arguments.
- Analyse causation and significance rather than simply narrating events.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 1 The crises of 1399–1405: Surviving rebellion, 1403–05: the challenges from the Percys and Owain Glyndwr and reasons for Henry IV’s survival; the influence of relations with Scotland and France. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
At which battle in July 1403 did Henry IV's army defeat the rebel forces led by Henry 'Hotspur' Percy?
Listen
Between 1403 and 1405 Henry IV faced a series of revolts that threatened to unseat him. The Percys, led by Henry Hotspur and the Earl of Northumberland, rebelled in 1403, while Owain Glyndwr’s Welsh rising gathered momentum. Henry survived because he acted quickly, secured key victories such as Shrewsbury (1403), and exploited divisions among his enemies. Relations with Scotland and France were crucial: Scotland provided support to the Percys, and France aided Glyndwr, but neither ally could deliver a decisive blow. Henry’s diplomacy and military successes, combined with the rebels’ lack of coordination, ensured his survival. Understanding these events requires analysing the interplay of internal rebellion and external intervention. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the nature of the Percy challenge: Hotspur’s rebellion in 1403, the Battle of Shrewsbury, and Northumberland’s later revolts. Analyse Owain Glyndwr’s rebellion: its Welsh support, military campaigns, and the capture of key castles. Assess the reasons for Henry IV’s survival: rapid response, military victories, use of patronage, and divisions among rebels. Evaluate the influence of Scotland: Scottish support for the Percys and border warfare, and how Henry managed this threat. A common slip: Treating the rebellions as a single unified movement. Instead, Recognise that the Percy and Glyndwr rebellions were separate, with different aims and levels of coordination. Exam tip: Plan your answer to address each clause of the question: the challenges, reasons for survival, and the influence of Scotland and France.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Rebellion and resistance
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Kingship and survival
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Foreign intervention
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Military and diplomatic strategy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Rebellion and resistance
- The revolts faced by Henry IV between 1403 and 1405, including the challenges from the Percys and Owain Glyndwr.
- Kingship and survival
- Henry IV's survival because he acted quickly, secured key victories such as Shrewsbury, and exploited divisions among his enemies.
- Foreign intervention
- Support from Scotland to the Percys and aid from France to Glyndwr, though neither ally could deliver a decisive blow.
- Military and diplomatic strategy
- Henry's diplomacy and military successes, combined with the rebels' lack of coordination, which ensured his survival.
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