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5. How useful were bonds and recognizances in keeping Henry on the throne?

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About this Lecture

Lecture

In this module, we think about the nature of Henry’s reign after Arthur and Elizabeth’s deaths in 1502 and 1503, with a particular focus on his use of bonds and recognizances as a means of maintaining political control and of keeping on top of the finances. As we move though the module, we consider: (i) the extent to which Henry finds himself increasingly isolated in this period; (ii) Henry’s increasingly susceptibility to illness; (iii) the inherent weakness of Prince Henry’s position, and Henry’s attempts to stabilise the regime before his son succeeds; (iv) Henry’s use of bonds and recognizances in order to maintain discipline among the nobility, and to raise money for the crown; (v) the figure of Edmund Dudley, his effectiveness; (vi) the impact of Henry’s policies on his own popularity and the popularity of the regime; (vii) Henry’s death and the succession of his son, who becomes Henry VIII.

Course

In this course, Dr Sean Cunningham (The National Archives) explores the reign of Henry VII through eight key questions: (1) How did Henry Tudor become king of England?; (2) Did Henry rely too heavily on his friends for support?; (3) How secure was Henry’s throne by 1500?; (4) To what extent was the period 1502-3 a turning point in Henry’s reign?; (5) How useful were bonds and recognizances in keeping Henry VII on the throne?; (6) Did Henry VII fail as king of England?; (7) Was Henry VII a miser?; and (8) How innovative was Henry VII?

Lecturer

Dr Sean Cunningham is Head of Medieval Records at the National Archives, with a specialism in the interconnecting processes of government and how they functioned through representative agencies, officials and individuals in the period 1399–1558. He is one of the leading historians on the reign of Henry VII (1485–1509), and has published and lectured widely on many aspects of this reign and the key figures who helped to establish Tudor power in England and Wales before the Reformation.