Henry VII and the start of the Tudors

Study note

Henry VII was the first Tudor king. After winning the Wars of the Roses, he reduced the power of the nobles, strengthened royal authority and built up the Crown's finances. The Tudor rose, a red rose with a white rose inside it, symbolised the joining of the houses of Lancaster and York.

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