Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 2 Changes in the sinews…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 2 Changes in the sinews of power: War and diplomacy, 1399–1509: benefits and cost to the crown (key developments: the losses in France in 1453, the Treaty of Picquigny 1475, the Spanish Marriage 1499).
War and diplomacy shaped royal power through benefits and costs.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
War and diplomacy shaped royal power through benefits and costs. Benefits included prestige, territorial gain, plunder, ransoms, trade protection and dynastic security; costs included taxation, debt, casualties, disrupted trade and political opposition. The losses in France in 1453 ended English Gascony and damaged Lancastrian prestige, contributing to domestic crisis. The Treaty of Picquigny in 1475 allowed Edward IV to withdraw from France in return for a pension, turning a military expedition into financial gain. The Spanish Marriage of 1499, between Arthur Tudor and Catherine of Aragon, was a diplomatic triumph that recognised the Tudor dynasty and secured international standing, though it carried financial and political obligations.
What earns the marks
- Explains the benefits of war and diplomacy to the crown, such as prestige, territory, plunder, ransoms, trade protection and dynastic security.
- Explains the costs of war and diplomacy, such as taxation, debt, casualties, disrupted trade and political opposition.
- Analyses the losses in France in 1453 as a turning point that ended English Gascony and damaged Lancastrian prestige.
- Analyses the Treaty of Picquigny in 1475 as a diplomatic and financial success for Edward IV, securing a pension in return for withdrawal.
- Analyses the Spanish Marriage of 1499 as a diplomatic recognition of the Tudor dynasty, with financial and political implications.
- Evaluates the overall balance of benefit and cost to the crown across the period, comparing different reigns and developments.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming war always benefited the crown.
Put it right: Costs often outweighed benefits, especially through taxation and debt.
Treating the Treaty of Picquigny as a military defeat.
Put it right: It was a diplomatic and financial arrangement that brought Edward IV a pension.
Confusing the Spanish Marriage of 1499 with a later event.
Put it right: It was the marriage of Arthur Tudor and Catherine of Aragon, a diplomatic recognition of the Tudor dynasty.
Ignoring the financial dimension of diplomacy.
Put it right: Treaties and marriages carried pensions, dowries and obligations that affected royal income.
Exam tips
- Structure answers around benefits and costs, using the three key developments as evidence.
- Explain the short-term and long-term consequences of each development for royal power.
- Compare the outcomes of military failure in 1453 with diplomatic success in 1475 and 1499.
- Link war and diplomacy to finance and parliament, showing how they affected the crown's sinews of power.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 2 Changes in the sinews of power: War and diplomacy, 1399–1509: benefits and cost to the crown (key developments: the losses in France in 1453, the Treaty of Picquigny 1475, the Spanish Marriage 1499). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the primary benefit to Edward IV of the Treaty of Picquigny, agreed with France in 1475?
Listen
War and diplomacy shaped royal power through benefits and costs. Benefits included prestige, territorial gain, plunder, ransoms, trade protection and dynastic security; costs included taxation, debt, casualties, disrupted trade and political opposition. The losses in France in 1453 ended English Gascony and damaged Lancastrian prestige, contributing to domestic crisis. The Treaty of Picquigny in 1475 allowed Edward IV to withdraw from France in return for a pension, turning a military expedition into financial gain. The Spanish Marriage of 1499, between Arthur Tudor and Catherine of Aragon, was a diplomatic triumph that recognised the Tudor dynasty and secured international standing, though it carried financial and political obligations. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the benefits of war and diplomacy to the crown, such as prestige, territory, plunder, ransoms, trade protection and dynastic security. Explains the costs of war and diplomacy, such as taxation, debt, casualties, disrupted trade and political opposition. Analyses the losses in France in 1453 as a turning point that ended English Gascony and damaged Lancastrian prestige. Analyses the Treaty of Picquigny in 1475 as a diplomatic and financial success for Edward IV, securing a pension in return for withdrawal. A common slip: Assuming war always benefited the crown. Instead, costs often outweighed benefits, especially through taxation and debt. Exam tip: Structure answers around benefits and costs, using the three key developments as evidence.
See it
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Losses in France ended English Gascony and damaged Lancastrian prestige
- 2. Spanish Marriage between Arthur Tudor and Catherine of Aragon
- 3. Treaty of Picquigny allowed Edward IV to withdraw from France for a pension
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Benefits and costs to the crown
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Losses in France in 1453
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Treaty of Picquigny 1475
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Spanish Marriage 1499
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Benefits and costs to the crown
- Benefits included prestige, territorial gain, plunder, ransoms, trade protection and dynastic security, while costs included taxation, debt, casualties, disrupted trade and political opposition.
- Losses in France in 1453
- These ended English Gascony and damaged Lancastrian prestige, contributing to domestic crisis.
- Treaty of Picquigny 1475
- This allowed Edward IV to withdraw from France in return for a pension, turning a military expedition into financial gain.
- Spanish Marriage 1499
- Between Arthur Tudor and Catherine of Aragon, this was a diplomatic triumph that recognised the Tudor dynasty and secured international standing, though it carried financial and political obligations.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 30: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 2 Changes in the sinews of power: War and diplomacy, 1399–1509: benefits and cost to the crown (key developments: the losses in France in 1453, the Treaty of Picquigny 1475, the Spanish Marriage 1499).
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