Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors, 1485–1603 - 1 Challenging the…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 31: Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors, 1485–1603 - 1 Challenging the succession, 1485–1499: Henry Tudor’s hold on the throne, 1485–87: the impact of Bosworth 1485; measures to secure his throne; the roles of the Yorkist and Lancastrian factions.
Henry Tudor won at Bosworth in 1485, but victory did not guarantee security.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Henry Tudor won at Bosworth in 1485, but victory did not guarantee security. He dated his reign from 21 August 1485, before the battle, so Yorkists who fought for Richard III could be attainted as traitors. He married Elizabeth of York to unite the houses, had Parliament recognise his title, and used bonds, recognisances and patronage to control the nobility. He also faced Yorkist plots, notably Lambert Simnel, and relied on Lancastrian loyalists and former Yorkists who now served him. Assess how far these measures had secured his throne by 1487.
What earns the marks
- Explains the impact of Bosworth 1485: Richard III's death, Henry's accession, and the need to legitimise a weak claim.
- Analyses measures to secure the throne: pre-dating the reign, attainders, marriage to Elizabeth of York, parliamentary recognition, and financial controls over nobles.
- Examines the roles of Yorkist and Lancastrian factions: Lancastrian loyalists as supporters, Yorkists divided between resistance and accommodation.
- Assesses the threat from Yorkist claimants and pretenders, including Lambert Simnel and the Battle of Stoke 1487.
- Evaluates how far security was achieved by 1487, noting continued plots and the importance of foreign support for challengers.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming Bosworth ended opposition.
Put it right by explaining continued Yorkist plots and the need for ongoing security measures.
Confusing the roles of the factions by treating all Yorkists as enemies.
Put it right by distinguishing between loyal servants, neutrals and rebels.
Describing measures without linking them to the specific problem of a weak title.
Put it right by explaining how each measure addressed legitimacy or control.
Exam tips
- Structure answers around the problems Henry faced and the measures he used, then judge their effectiveness by 1487.
- Use precise dates and names, such as Bosworth 1485, Simnel 1487 and Stoke 1487, to support analysis.
- Consider both elite politics and wider legitimacy, including marriage, propaganda and financial penalties.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 31: Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors, 1485–1603 - 1 Challenging the succession, 1485–1499: Henry Tudor’s hold on the throne, 1485–87: the impact of Bosworth 1485; measures to secure his throne; the roles of the Yorkist and Lancastrian factions. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
At which battle in 1485 did Henry Tudor defeat Richard III and take the throne?
Listen
Henry Tudor won at Bosworth in 1485, but victory did not guarantee security. He dated his reign from 21 August 1485, before the battle, so Yorkists who fought for Richard III could be attainted as traitors. He married Elizabeth of York to unite the houses, had Parliament recognise his title, and used bonds, recognisances and patronage to control the nobility. He also faced Yorkist plots, notably Lambert Simnel, and relied on Lancastrian loyalists and former Yorkists who now served him. Assess how far these measures had secured his throne by 1487. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the impact of Bosworth 1485: Richard III's death, Henry's accession, and the need to legitimise a weak claim. Analyses measures to secure the throne: pre-dating the reign, attainders, marriage to Elizabeth of York, parliamentary recognition, and financial controls over nobles. Examines the roles of Yorkist and Lancastrian factions: Lancastrian loyalists as supporters, Yorkists divided between resistance and accommodation. Assesses the threat from Yorkist claimants and pretenders, including Lambert Simnel and the Battle of Stoke 1487. A common slip: Assuming Bosworth ended opposition. Instead, explaining continued Yorkist plots and the need for ongoing security measures. Exam tip: Structure answers around the problems Henry faced and the measures he used, then judge their effectiveness by 1487.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Dynastic legitimacy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Factional politics
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Consolidation of power
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Rebellion and pretenders
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Dynastic legitimacy
- Henry's weak claim meant he needed to legitimise his position, having Parliament recognise his title and marrying Elizabeth of York to unite the houses.
- Factional politics
- Lancastrian loyalists supported Henry while Yorkists were divided between resistance and accommodation, so not all Yorkists were enemies.
- Consolidation of power
- Measures to secure the throne included pre-dating the reign, attainders, marriage to Elizabeth of York, parliamentary recognition and financial controls over nobles.
- Rebellion and pretenders
- Yorkist plots and claimants, notably Lambert Simnel, continued to threaten Henry, with foreign support important for challengers.
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