EXAMINER-MARKED ESSAY (25/25): ESTABLISHMENT OF HENRY VII'S AUTHORITY WAS DUE TO FINANCIAL POLICIES.

Exam Board: AQA
Component: 1C The Tudors: England, 1485-1603
Level 5/A* Essay - Full Marks (25/25)

Question: ‘The establishment of Henry VII’s authority in the years 1485 to 1509 was due to his financial policies.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.

Paragraphs cover the following:

• Paragraphs 1 & 2 evaluate Henry VII’s financial policies. However, it makes the point that financial policies and control over the nobility were intrinsically linked. Thus, the success of his financial policies in establishing his royal authority was owed largely to the concurrent control such policies exerted over the nobility.
• Paragraph 3 analyses Henry’s conduct of foreign affairs during his reign and demonstrates how Henry cemented his authority through various treaties with major foreign powers and through alliances via marriage.
• The final paragraph examines Henry’s establishment of royal authority through his successful suppression of pretenders to his throne.

The essay concludes by arguing that Henry VII’s establishment of authority was aided by his financial policies but, ultimately, they cannot be considered the sole reason for his success.