Henry VII and the Tudor Pretenders: Simnel, Warbeck, and Warwick

On August 22, 1485, Henry Tudor defeated Richard III in the Battle of Bosworth, bringing "smooth-faced peace" to England. However, the kingdom was not settled, and there were conspiracies and plots to depose the Tudor usurper. Nathen Amin looks at the three pretenders, Lambert Simnel, Perkin Warbeck, and Edward, Earl of Warwick, who were advanced by Yorkist dissidents. How close did the Tudors come to overthrow long before the myth of their greatness took hold?

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2021
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

On August 22, 1485, Henry Tudor emerged victorious from the Battle of Bosworth, defeating Richard III's forces. Shakespeare later portrayed this event as bringing about "smooth-faced peace, with smiling aplenty and fair prosperous days back to England." However, the Tudor reign was not without its challenges. Despite attempts to portray Henry VII as the sole unifier of a war-torn England after three decades of conflict, the kingdom was far from settled. The two-year period preceding Henry's reign was marked by significant turmoil, including the untimely death of one king, the mysterious disappearance of another, and the brutal slaughter of a third on the battlefield.

In this captivating and comprehensive account, Nathan Amin delves into the myriad of shadowy conspiracies and murky plots that sought to depose the Tudor usurper early in his reign, with a particular emphasis on the three pretenders whose causes were fervently advanced by Yorkist dissidents: Lambert Simnel, Perkin Warbeck, and Edward, Earl of Warwick. The question arises: How close did the Tudors come to overthrow long before the myth of their greatness took hold in our public consciousness?

The Tudor dynasty was not without its detractors, even during its early years. The Earl of Surrey, a prominent nobleman, was one of the first to raise concerns about Henry VII's legitimacy. Surrey believed that Richard III, the previous king, had rightfully claimed the throne and that Henry VII had usurped it through deceit and force. He supported the claims of Lambert Simnel, a young man who claimed to be Richard III's son and the rightful heir to the throne.

Despite Surrey's opposition, Henry VII's reign continued to progress. He successfully consolidated his power and eliminated his rivals, including the Earl of Warwick, who had been a threat to his authority. However, the situation in England remained unstable, and there were continued whispers of conspiracies and plots against the Tudor dynasty.

One of the most significant conspiracies of this period was the Babington Plot. Named after Mary Babington, a woman who claimed to be pregnant with the future Henry VIII, the plot was hatched by a group of Yorkist dissidents who believed that Mary was the rightful heir to the throne. The conspirators planned to kidnap Mary and smuggle her into England, where she would be crowned queen and marry Henry VIII, thus restoring the Yorkist dynasty to power.

The Babington Plot was discovered in 1527, and its participants were arrested and executed. However, the threat of conspiracies and plots against the Tudor dynasty continued to linger. In 1536, a group of noblemen known as the Pilgrims of Grace plotted to overthrow Henry VIII and install Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne. The plot was discovered and foiled, but it highlighted the continued instability and threat posed by Yorkist dissidents.

Despite these challenges, the Tudor dynasty managed to survive and thrive. Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn led to the birth of a daughter, Elizabeth I, who became one of the most successful and influential monarchs in English history. Elizabeth's reign saw the consolidation of the Tudor dynasty's power and the establishment of England as a major European power.

In conclusion, the Tudor reign was marked by significant turmoil and challenges, including conspiracies and plots against the dynasty. However, the Tudors managed to survive and thrive, thanks in part to the strength and leadership of Henry VII and his success in consolidating power. The legacy of the Tudor dynasty continues to be felt today, and their reign remains a fascinating and important period in English history.

Weight: 674g
Dimension: 166 x 242 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781445675084