Henry VII’s Claim to the Throne: A Complex web of Treason and Conquest

Introduction

The history of the English monarchy is filled with intrigue, conflict, and shifting allegiances. Among the many powerful claimants to the throne during the Wars of the Roses, Henry VII stands out not only for his eventual triumph but also for the subtle and complex nature of his claim. '

treason never doth prosper. Why what's the reason

If treason doth prosper none dare call it treason.'H.V. Taylor's quote encapsulates the delicate balance of power and legitimacy that Henry VII navigated to secure his position. Let's delve into the intricate details of Henry VII's claim to the English throne.

The Wars of the Roses and the Lancastrian-Yorkist Conflict

The Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars fought between the houses of Lancaster and York, saw numerous noble families and monarchs rise and fall. Every member of the English royal family, or their ancestors, either committed treason or faced accusations of it. This background makes the quest for the rightful heir a particularly challenging puzzle to solve.

Legitimate Succession and Illegitimate Claims

For an individual to inherit the English throne, they had to be born to a legitimate parentage. An illegitimate child, even if later legitimized, could potentially lay claim to the throne, though the legality and acceptance of such a claim were uncertain. The inheritance rights also varied between the two main claims: the Lancastrians, who believed in agnatic male-only descent, and the Yorkists, who followed male preference primogeniture, which allowed females to inherit under certain conditions.

The Yorkist Claim

The disappearance (and presumed death) of the last two legitimately born Lancastrian males in 1471 led to Edward IV's ascension through both male preference and agnatic primogeniture. However, the concept of forfeiture—that an heir who kills the person ahead in the line of succession forfeits their claim— introduces another layer of complexity to the claimation process.

Contested Succession and the Beaufort Line

The Beaufort family, descendants of a half-brother of the first Lancastrian King, Henry IV, offers an interesting angle in the succession dispute. Though their ancestor was legitimized, the last two legitimate Beaufort men were killed in 1471, leaving their line in tenuous status. Henry VIII legitimized Charles Somerset, son of a Beaufort, which could have made Charles Somerset and his descendants the rightful Lancastrian heirs, given that being legitimized theoretically granted some right to the throne.

Henry Tudor’s English Throne Ambitions

Several key figures made denuclearized claims to the Lancastrian throne, among them, Henry Tudor. Through his Beaufort lineage, he could claim descent from the Lancastrian kings but under male preference primogeniture, not the agnatic male-only descent favored by the Lancastrians. Henry VII's claim thus combined both legitimate and dubious elements.

Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York

Late in 1483, Henry Tudor made a public promise to marry Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Edward IV, sister of the deposed King Edward V and his brother Richard. This marriage implied a belief that Edward V and Richard were already deceased. Henry did eventually marry Elizabeth after defeating Richard III, effectively avenging their presumed murder. However, the actual circumstances of the princes' fate remain a subject of conjecture, adding another layer of complexity to Henry’s legitimacy.

Henry VII’s Claim to the Throne: A Triumph of Conquest

After the final conflict and victory in the Wars of the Roses, it became evident that finding any direct descendant of the Plantagenet kings without a sordid past was exceptionally challenging. Henry VII, therefore, ultimately justified his claim by asserting conquest over his right as a husband of Elizabeth of York, rather than legal succession.

Conclusion: Legitimacy and Legacy

Henry VII's reign was a testament to the intricate and often murky nature of medieval succession. From the Wars of the Roses to the nuanced claims of the Beaufort and Tudor families, the English throne presented a labyrinth of legitimacy and illegitimacy. Henry VII's crown, as much as it was a result of military prowess, was also a reflection of the determination and political acumen required to claim such a highly contested and historically fraught throne.