The Tudor period began when Henry Tudor took reign of England and Wales on 22 August 1485, after his battle with Richard Plantagent at the Battle of Bosworth Field.
Henry VII
Henry VII was born at Pembroke Castle, Wales 28 January 1457, and was the only Son to Lady Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, and the only Son to Edmund Tudor, 1st Earl Of Richmond, who sadly passed 3-6 Months before Henry VII was born - we will come back to his untimely death later.
There is little to be known about Henry VII and his childhood, but what we do know is, his Uncle, Jasper Tudor, looked after him and brought him up as his Mother was only 13 when he was born - she then went on to marry another 2 times before passing from "eating a cygnet" on 29 June 1509. Henry VII didn't see much of his Mother in his early years as Lord Herbert seized Pembroke Castle in 1461 - and so Edward IV became the new King.
At the age of 14, Henry VII had fled to Burgundy, for his own safety, as both Henry VI and his only Son, Prince Edward had passed, making Henry VII the main Lancastrian to take the throne. But it wasn't an easy ride for him, he would have to endure a troublesome fight before getting the throne.
Henry VII's host while in France was Francis II, Duke Of Brittany. Edward offered Francis a substantial reward for Henry VII, but Francis denied any exchanges and instead told Edward that he would keep guard of Henry VII and his Uncle Jasper, so they couldn't escape or return to England. Francis II was playing a dangerous game at the time, siding with whom Edward IV once thought was the enemy.
Henry VII's host while in France was Francis II, Duke Of Brittany. Edward offered Francis a substantial reward for Henry VII, but Francis denied any exchanges and instead told Edward that he would keep guard of Henry VII and his Uncle Jasper, so they couldn't escape or return to England. Francis II was playing a dangerous game at the time, siding with whom Edward IV once thought was the enemy.
In time, Henry VII was due to travel back over to England to supposedly marry one of Edward's daughters, but Henry ended up becoming unwell before the journey and was sent to sanctuary with his Uncle Jasper instead, to which Edward made no further effort in getting Henry back to England.
Skip a little and we enter the year 1483, while Henry and his Uncle Jasper were in sanctuary, Edward IV suddenly passes on 9 April, his Son, Edward V never got the throne - even though it was rightly his - instead, Richard Duke of Gloucester, proclaimed himself King.
Even though Richard had a lot of supporters, making himself King made him gain enemies, fast. And England believed the rightful heir to the throne be Henry VII. With all this going on, Edward IV's widow, Elizabeth Woodville, caught wind of this and wanted Henry to marry her only surviving Daughter. But Richard III didn't like the sound of that, so he also decided, that he would marry Elizabeth's daughter - only because it would have made Henry VII look weak. And on Christmas Day of the year 1483, Henry made a public declaration that, if he can take the throne from Richard, he will marry Elizabeth's daughter.
Once again, Henry and his Uncle Jasper flee for their safety as Richard took all of Henry's Mothers property and was plotting against Henry. Two years later they would return to Wales and on 22 August 1485 the Battle of Bosworth Fields begin. By this time Henry had gathered 5,000 men while Richard had gathered 8,000. Not much is to be known about this Battle, but one thing is for certain, Richard III passed and Henry VII became King.
Even though Richard had a lot of supporters, making himself King made him gain enemies, fast. And England believed the rightful heir to the throne be Henry VII. With all this going on, Edward IV's widow, Elizabeth Woodville, caught wind of this and wanted Henry to marry her only surviving Daughter. But Richard III didn't like the sound of that, so he also decided, that he would marry Elizabeth's daughter - only because it would have made Henry VII look weak. And on Christmas Day of the year 1483, Henry made a public declaration that, if he can take the throne from Richard, he will marry Elizabeth's daughter.
Once again, Henry and his Uncle Jasper flee for their safety as Richard took all of Henry's Mothers property and was plotting against Henry. Two years later they would return to Wales and on 22 August 1485 the Battle of Bosworth Fields begin. By this time Henry had gathered 5,000 men while Richard had gathered 8,000. Not much is to be known about this Battle, but one thing is for certain, Richard III passed and Henry VII became King.
Richard III
Henry Tudor did end up marrying Elizabeth Woodville's daughter, Elizabeth of York - daughter of Edward IV - on 18th January 1486. Putting an end to The War Of Roses, and put a start to a brand new period - The Tudor Period which would be here for the next 118 years.
Now lets take a little look into Henry VII's Family
Mother
Lady Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond
Margaret was born at Bletsoe Castle, Bedfordshire 31 May 1443.
She was first married in 1450 to John de la Pope, it was a contracted marriage between the Family, this only lasted until 1453. Margaret was very young during this marriage, and some people believe it didn't happen as there isn't many records to show this, but records do show that John de la Pope was in fact Margaret's 3rd cousin - this marriage bore no Children.
Her second marriage was in 1455 to Edmund Tudor. Margaret was only 12 at the time. This marriage lasted until Edmond's untimely death in 1456 - this marriage bored one Child, Henry VII.
Margaret's third marriage was to Henry Stafford in 1461. He is believed to have been Margaret's 2nd cousin, and also the 1st cousin to Edward IV. This marriage lasted until 1471 when Henry sadly passed - this marriage bore no Children.
Her final marriage was in 1472 to Thomas Stanley, Margaret would have been about 40 at this time, and this marriage ended in 1504 when Thomas passed - this marriage bore no Children.
When her Son reigned England and Wales, he would go to his Mother a lot for advice on how to rule the country, and she did everything she could to help, she even wrote a Book titled "Book of the Royal Household" and this determined how State and private occasions should be performed. During her Son's reign, Margaret would be addressed as "My Lady the Kings Mother". Margaret also founded Christ's College and made frequent gifts to local Churches and monasteries.
Margaret, passed away peacefully in her Bed on 29 June 1509 - just three Months after her only Son.
Margaret was laid to rest at the Henry VII Chapel in Westminster Abbey, in a black marble tomb with bronze gilded effigy.
Father
Edmund was born at Royal Manor of Hadham, Hertfordshire, England on 11 June 1430. In his later life, he became known as Earl Of Richmond. And its widely known that Henry VI was Edmund's half brother.
Edmund only married the one time, to Lady Margaret Beaufort. This could have been due to his untimely death. At some point during Lady Margaret's pregnancy with Henry VII, Edmund had been tasked with preventing an overthrow being plotted against Henry VI. Sadly, he was unable to stop this, and he ended up being captured in mid 1456 by William Herbert, a Yorkist supporter, who imprisoned Edmund at Camarthen Castle, South Wales.
Edmund died while in Camarthen Castle, 1 November 1456, 3-6 Months before his Son was born.
Some believe that Edmund passed because of the Bubonic Plague (which I will cover in another blog), others disagree and state that Edmund was murdered. Several Months later, the accused stood in Court and none of the parties were ever found guilty.
Edmund was buried at the Carmarthen Grey Friars, but sadly because of dissolution of the monasteries, he was re-moved to the Choir of St David's Cathedral in 1539.
Wife
Elizabeth was born at the Palace of Westminster on 11 February 1466. She married Henry VII on 18 January 1486, and birthed him 8 Children, 4 of which sadly passed - which you will find out later on in this blog.
Elizabeth sadly passed away, through complications of her last birth, on 11 February 1503 and was buried in Westminster Abbey on 24 February 1503.
Son
Arthur was born in St Swithuns Priory, Winchester on 20 September 1486. Arthur was christened and his Godparents were John de Vere, William FitzAlan, Elizabeth Woodville and Cecily of York. Just like his Father, little is known about Author's childhood.
Arthur only married the one time, to the well known Catherine of Aragon, on 14 November 1501, their marriage birthed no Children. They resided in Ludlow Castle, Wales. During their marriage, in March 1502, they both became unwell from an unknown illness. While Catherine recovered from this illness, Arthur sadly didn't, he passed on 2 April 1502 at his Home, 6 months before his 16th birthday.
On 8 April 1502, a general procession took place, on the same night a dirge was sung at St Paul's Cathedral and every Parish in London. His body was carried to Parish Church of Ludlow, Wales on 23 April 1502.
Finally, on 25 April 1502, Arthur was taken to Worcester Cathedral in a "special wagon, upholstered in black and drawn by 6 horses". And in 1504 a Chantry was erected above his grave.
Daughter
Margaret was born at the Palace of Westminster on 18 November 1489, she was named after her Grandmother - Margaret Beaufort. Just like Arthur, Margaret was also christened, her Godparents were Lady Berkeley Duchess of Norfolk, Earl of Shrewsbury and her Grandmother Margaret Beaufort.
Margaret had three marriages in her lifetime, and in total birthed 7 children most of which sadly passed.
Her first marriage was to King James IV, they had a proxy wedding on 25 January 1502 at Richmond Palace, but the actual wedding ceremony wasn't until 8 August 1503. Margaret gave birth to their first Son, Prince James on 21 February 1507 at Holyrood Palace Edinburgh, but he sadly passed at Stirling Castle, Scotland 27 February 1508. On 15 July 1508, Margaret gave birth to her first daughter, who sadly passed hours after.
Margaret gave birth to her second Son, Prince Arthur at Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh on 20 October 1509, and was styled Duke of Albany, this was shortly lived as he sadly passed at Edinburgh Castle on 14 July 1510.
Margaret birthed her third Son, Prince James V at Linlithgow Palace on 10 April 1512 and was styled Duke of Rothesay. In November 1512, Margaret birthed a second daughter, and like her Sister, sadly passed hours after.
King James IV died during the Battle of Flodden Field on 9 September 1513, and he sadly never met his Son, Prince Alexander, who Margaret birthed at Stirling Castle, Scotland on 30 April 1514 and was very quickly styled as Duke of Ross.
Margaret then went on to marry Archibold Douglas, Earl of Angus, their first wedding was done in secret at Kinnol Church on 6 August 1514. The reason it was done in secret was because King James IV put down in his will that if Margaret Tudor was to ever re-marry after himself she would loose regancy of their Son, Prince James V. Unfortunately, their marriage got made public in late August, Margaret lost regancy and fled to England where she birthed their first Daughter, Margaret Douglas on 8 October 1515.
Prince Alexander sadly passed at Striling Castle, Scotland on 18 December 1515. When Margaret heard of this news, she went back to Scotland, once there Margaret learned she could only see Prince James V under strict conditions, and also learnt, that Margaret will get full regancy of Prince James V as long as she divorces Archibold Douglas, Margaret begged for the divorce and it finally happened on 11 March 1527!
Her third, and final marriage was on 8 March 1528 to Henry Stewart. Prince James V was now King James V and he appointed Henry as Lord Methven. This marriage birthed no Children, and it lasted until Margaret passed from a stroke at Methvan Castle and was buried in Cathusian Abbey in Perth on 18 October 1541.
Son
Henry VIII, King Henry VIII
Henry VIII was born at Greenwich Palace, London on 28 June 1491. He too was christened - Godparents unknown, or none chosen. There is so many interesting things that Henry VIII did as a child, and out of respect and my passion for the guy, I'll be making a blog on him alone.
Henry VIII had 6 marriages in total, but did not kill all his Wives.
His first marriage was to Catherine of Aragon on 11 June 1509 at Greenwich Palace, and they were crowned King and Queen on 24 June 1509 at Westminster Abbey. Sadly, on 31 January 1510, Catherine had a still born, her first Daughter.
1 January 1511, Catherine gave birth to their first Son, Henry, who was christened, but sadly passed 22 February 1511 and was buried at Westminster Abbey.
Margaret birthed their second Son on 17 September 1513, but he sadly passed shortly after. And again, on 8 January 1515 Margaret birthed their third Son but he also passed shortly after.
Finally on 18 February 1516 Margaret birthed their second Daughter. Mary, at Greenwich Palace, London. Sadly, on 10 November 1518 Margaret birthed a baby girl who became very weak and unwell and sadly passed hours after, so much went on during this marriage before his second, I will have to make a separate blog about it.
January 1533, Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn, I will also go into these marriages in more detail in their own blog as a lot of stuff went on! Anne Boleyn was pregnant, so they got married in secret so Henry VIII would have legitimacy over their Child. On 7 September Anne birthed her first Daughter - Henry wanted a boy. In June or July of the year 1534 Anne had a secret birth and sadly the baby was still born.
June 1536 Anne again, had a secret birth, this time the baby was premature and sadly passed at birth. January 29 1536 brought even more heartache, as Anne had a miscarriage. Henry had had enough of her "inept behaviour" falsely accused Anne of wanting him dead and she was beheaded on 19 May 1536.
Henry didn't wait around long, by 20 May 1536 he got engaged to Jane Seymour and had married her the next day. Jane did birth a Child with Henry, a Son in fact, named Edward Duke of Cornwall. Only 3 years after the birth of her Son, Jane sadly got puerpal fever and passed on 24 October 1537.
By 6 January 1540 Henry VIII had married Anne of Cleves at the Greenwich Palace, London. Henry was never keen on Anne, and through-out there marriage had grown feelings for Katherine Howard. Anne realised this and filed for divorce - told you he didn't kill all his wives!
28 July 1540 marked Henry VIII's fifth marriage, and it was with Katherine Howard. However, Katherine became very unfaithful to Henry, so he be-headed her on 13 February 1542.
His last marriage was with Catherine Parr in July 1543.
Over his lifetime Henry VIII had become very unwell in his legs, had pains and was also obese, and on 28 January 1547, at Whitehall Palace, Henry VIII passed away, and is laid to rest on 16 February next to Jane Seymour in St George's Chapel.
Elizabeth Tudor, 2 July 1447 - 14 September 1495.
Daughter
Mary Tudor, Queen of France.
Mary was born at Richmond Palace, England on 10 March 1496. Mary had two marriages in her lifetime and birthed 4 children, sadly none survived.
Mary's first marriage was with Louis XII of France at Abbevill Castle, he was much older then Mary and she did refuse to marry him at first, he later passed on 1 January 1515.
On 3 March 1515, Marry married Charles Brandon at the Chapel in the Palais de Cluny Paris. Mary gave birth to their first Son, Henry on 11 March 1516, and in 1522 sadly passed. On 16 July 1517, Mary gave birth to her first Daughter, Lady Frances Brandon, who had one marriage which she birthed a Daughter, Lady Jane Grey, Frances passed 20 November 1559.
In 1519, Mary births her second Daughter, Lady Eleanor Brandon, she also had one marriage in her lifetime, birthed no Children and passed on 27 September 1547.
Mary then gives birth to her second Son, and last child, Henry in 1523, sadly in March 1534 Henry passes away.
A year before the passing of Henry, Mary herself became very unwell, and never recovered. Mary passed 25 June 1533.
On 22 July 1533 Mary was buried at Abbey of Bury St Edmonds's. And like her Father, dissolution of the monasteries, Mary's body was re-moved to St Mary's Church in 1538.
Edward Tudor, 1408 - 1499
Edmund Tudor, Duke of Somerset, 21 February 1499 - 19 June 1500
Katherine Tudor, 2 February 1503 - 10 February 1503.
Henry VII, in fairness, had a pretty big Family, even though their was many deaths during child birth, the ones that did survive became Kings and Queens and I reckon Henry VII and his Wife Elizabeth would have been proud of their Family.
Let me know what you think about Edmund Tudor's death, was it the buponic plague or was it murder?
Thank you for reading
Until next time
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