In 1509 Henry VIII inherited a state that was united behind the monarch, a state that had a decent European reputation, a monarchy that was wealthier than it had been for centuries, nobility that had been tamed and made to work for the Crown and a system of government that was competent and effective, most of which came from the successful ruling of Henry VII between 1485 and 1509. After the Battle at Bosworth in 1485, Henry had a small and shaky claim to the throne. He did not know whether he could consolidate power and remain as king and he knew he was facing rebellions from Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck. Henry changed the English government to a twofold approach to government. First he took a vigorous approach towards those involved …show more content…
Also England and France had been major rivals since 1066 and had clashed over English held land in France in the Hundred Years war which went on between 1337 and 1453. Firstly he signed a one year truce with the French after his victory at Bosworth in 1485, later extended to 1489. Then he married his daughter Mary Rose to the Dauphin of France. This improved the relationship between the two countries. Henry had realised that France had become extremely strong financially within Europe and by the time he was victorious at the Battle of Bosworth, he knew that France had three times the resources in terms of manpower and revenue. In the later years of the 15th century and the early 16th century, Henry was aware that Spain was also one of the major powers, especially in the Western Mediterranean. As he wanted to increase English trade in this area, Spain could prove be a potential problem. Instead of antagonising the Spanish, he made a treaty called the Treaty of Medina el Campo, which was signed in 1489. The main reason was to aid the relationship between England and Spain and this led to the marriage of Arthur (Henry’s son) to Catherine of Aragon. This was a great success for Henry as it gave legitimacy to his rule from one of Europe’s most powerful nations. Despite this arranged marriage, Arthur suddenly died in 1502, only after six months of marriage. King Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain gave their blessing for Henry to marry