Henry VII Biography and Timeline

Birth of Edmund Tudor

Edmund Tudor, later father of Henry VII, is born to Catherine of Valois and Owen Tudor.

Death of Edmund Tudor

Henry's father Edmund Tudor dies before his son's birth, leaving Margaret Beaufort pregnant with the future king.

Role range: 1485-1509

Birth of Henry VII

Henry VII is born at Pembroke Castle, the son of Edmund Tudor and Margaret Beaufort.

Role range: 1485-1509

Guardianship by Jasper Tudor

Jasper Tudor assumes responsibility for the infant Henry and protects his dynastic interests during the Wars of the Roses.

Role range: 1485-1509

Wardship under William Herbert

Edward IV places Henry Tudor under William Herbert's guardianship, bringing the Lancastrian child into a Yorkist household.

Role range: 1485-1509

Capture of Pembroke Castle

Yorkist forces take Pembroke Castle and the young Henry Tudor passes into the custody of William Herbert.

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Exile of Henry VII

Becomes leader of the Lancastrians & forced into Brittany after the death of Henry VI

Role range: 1485-1509

Refuge in Brittany

Francis II of Brittany grants Henry Tudor and Jasper Tudor refuge, beginning Henry's long continental exile.

Role range: 1485-1509

Failed Extradition to England

A proposed handover of Henry Tudor to Edward IV fails, allowing him to remain under Breton protection.

Role range: 1485-1509

Marriage Pledge to Elizabeth of York

At Rennes, Henry Tudor publicly promises to marry Elizabeth of York if he secures the English crown.

Role range: 1485-1509

Exile of Henry VII

While in Brittany, Henry Tudor pledges to marry Elizabeth of York, attracting Yorkist opponents of Richard III.

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Buckingham Rebellion

Rebels opposing Richard III look to Henry Tudor as an alternative claimant during the failed Buckingham rising.

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Invasion of England

Buckingham dies in the west country & the invasion fails

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Invasion of England

Bad weather scatters Henry Tudor's invasion fleet, leaving only a small part of the force near Poole.

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Rebellion of Rebels in support of Henry Tudor

The Woodvilles invite Elizabeth Woodvilles son Henry Tudor to support Buckingham. Buckingham leads a rebellion in support of Henry Tudor, a descendent of John of Gaunt

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Succession

Edward IV dies; Edward V is deposed and the two young princes later disappear from public view.

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Escape from Brittany

Pressure on Brittany from Richard III helps drive Henry Tudor into France, where he continues preparing a challenge for the throne.

Role range: 1485-1509

Exile of Henry VII

Henry Tudor escapes to Paris

Role range: 1485-1509

Kidnap

Henry Tudor is warned that Breton officials may hand him to Richard III and prepares to escape to France.

Role range: 1485-1509

Invasion of England

Sets sail from Harfleur, his fleet carries 2,000 French mercenaries

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Invasion of England

Lands at Milford Haven with the support of Charles VIII of France

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Arrival at Shrewsbury

Henry Tudor reaches Shrewsbury as his invasion force advances toward Richard III's army.

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Mobilization

Stays overnight at the Three Tuns. Marches from Lichfield to Tamworth where he is joined by John Savage

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Mobilization

Henry VII joins up with Lord Stanley & his brother William Stanley

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Accession Dated before Bosworth

Henry dates his reign from 21 August, enabling the crown to treat men fighting for Richard III at Bosworth as traitors.

Role range: 1485-1509

Mobilization

Henry's forces camp near White Moors before the final approach to Bosworth.

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Battle of Bosworth

Richard III is killed during the fighting at Bosworth. Tradition holds that the recovered crown is presented to Henry Tudor after the battle.

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Battle of Bosworth

Stanley intervention helps turn the battle. Henry Tudor defeats Richard III at Bosworth and claims the English throne.

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Arrest of Edward of Warwick

Has the Yorkist heir Edward Earl of Warwick put in the Tower of London

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Invasion of England

Marches toward Leicester, winning support on the way

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Mobilization

Gathers his forces at Lichfield & threatens to cut Richard III off from London

Role range: 1455-1485 – 1485-1509

Coronation Date Proclaimed

Henry announces that his coronation will take place at Westminster at the end of October, giving officials time to organise the new Tudor ceremony.

Role range: 1485-1509

Royal Entry before Coronation

Henry enters London in formal state before travelling toward Westminster, presenting the victorious Tudor claimant as the accepted king.

Role range: 1485-1509

Coronation Vigil at Westminster

Henry spends the eve of his crowning within the traditional Westminster ceremonial setting before entering the Abbey for the rite.

Role range: 1485-1509

Coronation Banquet at Westminster Hall

A ceremonial banquet follows the Abbey service, allowing nobles and officers to display allegiance to the new Tudor king.

Role range: 1485-1509

Coronation Communion Received

Henry receives communion as part of the religious service that completes the spiritual dimension of the coronation.

Role range: 1485-1509

Coronation Homage Received

Senior nobles render homage after the crowning, publicly acknowledging Henry's authority over the realm.

Role range: 1485-1509

Coronation Oath Sworn

Henry takes the coronation oath, publicly accepting the religious and political obligations attached to kingship.

Role range: 1485-1509

Coronation Recess from Abbey

The newly crowned king leaves the Abbey in state wearing royal regalia and proceeds toward the coronation feast.

Role range: 1485-1509

Coronation Recognition Rite

The congregation formally recognises Henry as king before the sacred stages of anointing, investiture and crowning proceed.

Role range: 1485-1509