Henry VII of England
Henry VII ruled England from 1485 to 1509 and founded the Tudor dynasty after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field.
Battle of Bosworth Field: The 1485 battle in which Henry Tudor defeated Richard III, ending the Wars of the Roses and claiming England’s throne. Henry’s victory there brought him the crown and began his reign.
House of Tudor: The royal dynasty that ruled England from Henry VII’s accession in 1485 until Elizabeth I’s death in 1603. Henry founded the dynasty after winning the crown.
Elizabeth of York: The eldest daughter of Edward IV and queen consort of Henry VII, whom she married in 1486. Their marriage united the Tudor king with the Yorkist royal line.
Tudor dynasty: The ruling family of England from 1485 to 1603, beginning with Henry VII and ending with Elizabeth I. Henry’s accession began the dynasty that shaped English politics for more than a century.
Acts of Attainder: Laws confiscating the property and rights of people convicted of treason or other serious offenses. Henry used attainders against opponents, while later reversals encouraged nobles to remain loyal.
House of Lancaster: A branch of the Plantagenet royal family that contested the English throne with the House of York. Henry’s mother, Margaret Beaufort, descended from the Lancastrian line.
Richard III of England: The last Yorkist king of England, defeated and killed by Henry Tudor at Bosworth in 1485. His defeat ended Henry’s rival’s reign and cleared the path to the throne.
Treaty of Medina del Campo: A 1489 agreement between England and Spain that arranged a dynastic marriage and established commercial and diplomatic terms. Henry used the treaty to strengthen ties with Spain and arrange his son’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
Court of Star Chamber: An English royal court that handled cases including sedition, corruption, and disputes involving powerful people. Its Tudor-era use supported royal authority against magnates who might challenge Henry’s rule.
Margaret Beaufort: An English noblewoman and mother of Henry VII, whose Beaufort ancestry supported his Lancastrian claim. Her lineage and political work helped sustain Henry’s claim before his accession.