Henry VII and the founding of the House of Tudor

Study note

Henry Tudor became King Henry VII, the first king of the House of Tudor. He married Elizabeth of York, the niece of Richard III, to unite the two families. The symbol of the House of Tudor was a red rose with a white rose inside it, showing that York and Lancaster were now allies. Henry strengthened the central government, reduced the power of the nobles and built up the monarchy's financial reserves.

Memory tip: Henry VII = first Tudor; the Tudor rose joins red Lancaster and white York.