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Henry VII and the founding of the House of Tudor

Study note

After his victory at Bosworth Field, Henry Tudor took the throne as King Henry VII and became the first king of the House of Tudor. His reign began a new and powerful royal dynasty.

To heal the divisions of the Wars of the Roses, Henry married Elizabeth of York, who was the niece of Richard III. By joining a Lancastrian king to a Yorkist bride, he united the two warring families. This union was captured in a new emblem, the Tudor rose, which showed a red rose with a white rose set inside it. The badge was a clear symbol that York and Lancaster were now allies rather than enemies.

Henry VII was a careful and determined ruler. He strengthened the central government, reduced the power of the great nobles who had caused so much trouble, and built up the monarchy's financial reserves so the Crown was richer and more secure. Remember that Henry VII was the first Tudor and that the Tudor rose combines the red of Lancaster with the white of York.

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

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 4

Who became the first king of the House of Tudor?

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Show all questions and answers for Henry VII and the founding of the House of Tudor(4 questions with explanations)

Henry VII and the founding of the House of Tudor: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Who became the first king of the House of Tudor?

    • Richard III
    • Henry VIII
    • Edward VI
    • Henry VII

    Correct answer: Henry VII

    Henry Tudor became Henry VII, the first Tudor king.

  2. 2. Whom did Henry VII marry to unite the houses of Lancaster and York?

    • Anne Boleyn
    • Catherine of Aragon
    • Elizabeth of York
    • Mary Stuart

    Correct answer: Elizabeth of York

    Henry VII married Elizabeth of York to unite the two families.

  3. 3. What did the Tudor rose look like?

    • A single white rose
    • A blue rose
    • A red rose with a white rose inside it
    • A single red rose

    Correct answer: A red rose with a white rose inside it

    The Tudor rose was a red rose with a white rose inside, uniting Lancaster and York.

  4. 4. Henry VII reduced the power of the nobles and built up the monarchy's financial reserves.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Henry VII centralised power and was careful with money.

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