The History of England

Henry VII's ambitions were to rule in the French style - to better control and increase his income. He gathered around him bureaucrats - new men he could trust and who depended on him rather than the nobility of the court. We also start the story of printing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1485 and 1486 Henry established the foundations of his reign through parliament, and established his household. The relationship between his wife and his mother would always be a matter of some debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The personality of Henry VII, the story he created of himself, and how history has treated his reputation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After an introduction to series 5, we take an episode to survery the state of the nation in 1485, England at the Dawn of the Tudor Age. England in 1485 was at once a deeply traditional medieval society. And yet poised at the edge of change - economic, social, religious and political. The 16th century would see profound changes presided over by one dynasty - the Tudors. Series 5 covers 1485 to 1554, and the reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI and Jane196 - 209 Are about Henry VII, the end of the Wars of the Roses and his success in establishing the legitimacy of the new dynasty210 - 226Are about the early reign of Henry VIII, under the guidance of his first Great Minister, Cardinal Wolsey227 - 238 Concern Henry's reformation and we have a debate about Anne Boleyn 239 - 252 Looks around a bit at Henry's kingom, Thomas Cromwell, Henry's decling years, illness and factionalism252 - 262Includes a survey of European History for some context, and then Edward Vi, Thomas Cranmer - and the real Reformation263 - 265 Is all about Queen Jane's Nine days, and Mary's usurpation of her throne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15th Century European kingdoms were wracked by internal division as well as international war. By the end of the century, Rome was no more, Christendom was increasingly disunited and new monarchies were on the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1485 was not the end of the Wars of the Roses; the fear of dynastic strife lasts well into Henry VIII's reign. But we draw a close at the battle of Stoke, and ask what the Wars changed - if anything. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1483, the gates of the Tower of London closed on two innocent and defenceless boys; one, Edward, captured and the other Richard, given up by his mother. As far as we know, neither of were seen outside the walls again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At last in 1485 Richard got to meet his challenger in person at the Battle of Bosworth - a meeting he needed every bit as much as Henry Tudor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unfortunately for Richard he was never able to simply concentrate of governing the realm; the hangover of his accession, the presence of Henry Tudor abroad - these things constantly took his attention away. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some argue that in a short time Richard showed that he good have been one of England's best rulers - is there any justification for the idea of Good King Richard? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard sought to start the reconciliation of the factions in the realm. But despite his triumphant progress through the Kingdom to York, trouble was brewing - including from the most unlikely quarter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 interpretations of the events of 1483 to help your all important vote - did Richard plan to usurp the throne; fall into it by mistake; or step into the breach to save the kingdom? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The reign of Edward V is one of the great controversies of English history. This episode is as uncontroversial - just what happened. Then in 2 weeks time - we have the big debate and prizes, at THoE Facebook Page. It all starts with the death of Edward IV on 9th April 1483. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was critical that the heir to the throne, the young Edward, was tutored and governed to be brought up to be a successful king - and so Rivers was given the job, in Ludlow on the Welsh borders, and there was time. Then in 1483 the king fell ill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 1470's were a marked contrast to the 1460's; a decade of complete calm, of control and authority. How did Edward do it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Edward IV fancied himself as a latter day Edward III, and with his love of the Garter tradition on the one hand and his determination to gain revenge for French support for Lancaster, a European adventure looked on the cards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They had a complicated relationship - Edward, Clarence and Richard; Clarence and Richard had often been left together with Cecily and Margaret while Edward was with his father. In the 1470s, things came to a head. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An odd episode, where we talk about games they played in medieval days; and then completely unconnected, some of domesticated animals and where they came from. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know that the Magnates and peerage made some cutbacks and prettified fewer of their residences - but what of the Gentry, who by and large would have 1 or 2 manors? And the peasantry and their yardland? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Through the 15th century the Gentry become firmly established as the real rulers of the localities; and an enterprising part of England's economy. So it seems worth finding out a bit more about them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a period of grace, the 15th Century posed serious challenges for Magnates and the rural economy - prices fell, wages rose, Magnates had to cancel parties. But every cloud has its silvery lining; and trouble for some was opportunity for others - the new Farmers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A rest from politics. The population of England remained stagnant or falling throughout 15th century. But that didn't meant there was no opportunity for towns or for commerce. You just had to look for it a bit harder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Edward's troubles were not over with the victory at Barnet. He still faced two more invasions - the Queen and Prince, and Fauconberg in the South East. It was the final showdown between Lancaster and York. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1470, Henry VIth was released by Warwick from the Tower, and re-established as the rightful king of England. The Usurper Edward IV was banished forever. Sadly for the Lancastrians, Edward IV was determined to reclaim the throne when he landed at Ravenspur in 1471. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1470 the spin of the wheel of fortune was dizzying. Warwick had won, lost, won...where it ended nobody knew. But the most extraordinary thing of all was an alliance to be made, with the help of Warwick's 14 year old daughter, Anne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1468, Warwick had a decision to make - as he himself said, 'It is a matter of being either Master or Varlet'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was a new faction at court - the Woodvilles, and they were there en masse. Were they really so bad? Had Edward boobed? And what did Warwick think - what would he do? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first three years of Edward's reign were spent dealing stamping on the fires of the Lancastrian resistance. But then, he found time for something much more controversial than dis-embowelling, and he found it under an oak tree. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the aftermath of Towton, Edward started his work to restore a broad based regime - crushing the recalcitrant, welcoming the turncoats, re-establishing royal justice. He also had a party. Margaret meanwhile traveled to build support for another return. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1461 the Queen failed to seize London,and retreated to the north. Warwick and Edward walked through London's empty gates and then chased north for the largest, and bloodiest battle of English soil. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the victory at Northampton and the Act of Accord, it looked as though all Richard of York had to do was wait or the crown to be his. But in the north and west, the Lancastrian opposition was growing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warwick swashed and buckled his way up and down the channel until the Yorkists were ready to invade England again. But on his return from Ireland with horns and trumpets blowing, Richard of York had a shock for his allies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1459 the trigger point was finally reached; after a year of phony war, both sides preparing for war, the call for a great council in 1459 proving the trigger point. By the end of 1459 the fortune of one of the two sides would lie in ruins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1455 it briefly looked as though York had won; but in fact it solved nothing - the king remained the centre of power, and the king was weak. By 1457, he had lost his status as Protector, and the Queen was effectively the new ruler of England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1455, the quality and nature of the arguments and disputes about the king's fitness to reign and the need to reform the way England was governed changed very significantly. At St Albans, blood was spilled. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1452 and 1453 Henry enjoyed a brief spell where he was on top of his job after the events at Dartford. But fate had something in mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did previous generations view the Wars of the Roses? What are the interpretations of the Wars of the Roses now? This, and an introduction to some key families, are what this week is all about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's still 1450. Because it was something of an eventful year. Richard of York, sat in Ireland, was worried - his name had been bandied about by Jack Cade and his rebels. See what happens... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1450 was an eventful year. The fall of Suffolk, and now Kent was once again in flames, just as it had been in 1381. This time the leader that emerged was one Jack Cade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By 1445, William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk was clearly Henry's most trusted adviser. He faced a difficult task - to steer a bankrupt nation into the harbor of peace. Avoiding the ship of France trying to sink her on the way in. Would they make it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Through the late 1430's and early 1440's the situation in Normandy got no better, Alice Chaucer until a failed expedition convinced Henry and Suffolk that peace was required at any price. And the result was the Treaty of Tour and a royal marriage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In December 1431, Henry VIth became the only king of England crowned king of France in France. Which sounds great. But in fact it was a sign of English weakness than English strength. And at Arras things got substantially worse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1428, the English were still sweeping all before them. Then came a figure so famous, that she was selected by Bill and Ted for their history project - and what greater recognition can there be than that? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's really often little practical difference between what we call politics and some of what we call crime. Essentially it the history of the struggle for power by a bunch of aristocratic families. And a smidgen of life on the Borders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While Bedford and talented commanders like Salisbury were alive, the cause of the English in France was far from dead. But in 1423, buoyed by the arrival of the Scots, the French launched a fresh campaign into Normandy, and quickly took the mighty town of Verneuil Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An introduction to a new reign - Henry VIth, a name to make grown men tremble - and to the political leaders that dominated it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Only 4% of women remained unmarried in the middle ages, and therefore for Harvestingboth men and women working life was a matter of team work. In towns in particular, women might find their opportunities for specialised work more limited than men, but not impossible - women like Margery Kempe showed how the mould could be broken. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry's talents ran as much to managing his back yard as it did to war; this week how Henry organised his kingdom for war, and the last days of his life. Plus a guest bonus from Kevin Stroud and 'The History of English'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1420, Henry faced an uphill battle again; his negotiations had failed with both Dauphinists and Burgundians, and instead they'd patched it up. So he faced an alliance - Dauphinist, Armagnac, Orleanist, Burgundian - Scot - against the English. And then came a meeting on a bridge that changed everything Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By 1417, Henry had sorted out his support in England, and was able to launch a war of conquest in Normandy. After butchery at Caen, castles and towns fell, and by June 1418 the final and biggest prize stood before Henry - Rouen, second city of France. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.