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The English Monarchs
Henry VII
Founder of the Tudor dynasty, Henry VII was a crucial figure in English history. In this acclaimed study of the king's life and reign, the distinguished historian S. B. Chrimes explores the circumstances surrounding Henry's acquisition of the throne, examines the personnel and machinery of government, and surveys the king's social, political, and economic policies, law enforcement, and foreign strategy. This edition of the book includes a new critical introduction and bibliographical updating by George Bernard.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 19 reviews
August 18, 2014
To date it's my favorite biography on the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty. The author goes into every little detail pertaining to his reign and his early life, as well as his Welsh roots. This is the first biography I read that made me be fascinated about this monarch and go wow! He had an adventurous life, the stuff you only see in movies and to have gone through all of that and still endure enough to become king, deserved everyone's admiration.
May 3, 2013
Henry VII has one of the more unlikely stories of any British monarch. Often times this king is overshadowed by his more (in)famous son, King Henry VIII. But King Henry VII has a greater tale to how he became king than his son does. Henry VIII was born a prince, becomes heir at the death of his older brother, and becomes King at nineteen at the death of his father. While Henry VII's journey to the throne is much greater tale than simply inheritance, and is one of the least probable since William the Conqueror, this King Henry does not get the attention I think he deserves.
Like the other rebel prince Henry, the Duke of Lancaster, the Earl of Richmond would have to led an army against an evil King Richard in order to claim the crown of England. However there are two key differences in their case. The first is King Henry IV captured Richard II and forced him to abdicate, where Henry VII had killed Richard III in battle. The second is Henry IV was, like his opponent, a grandson of King Edward III whose royalty was unquestionable. Henry VII was very distant in kinship with the crown. While even the sons of Richard, the Duke of York, had a clear claim to royalty, Henry was closer to French royal family than English one. Henry's grandmother was King Henry V's widow and a daughter of King Charles VI of France, but his English royal blood came from his mother's family who were descended from John of Gaunt*, but through a line whose legitimacy was at best questionable.
Chrimes tells the story of this Welsh nobleman who never knew his father because he was born after his father had died. After King Edward IV takes back power from the pathetic King Henry VI, young Henry Tudor goes into exile with his uncle in France. In exile, Henry and his uncle Jasper plot a way to come power, which would not have been reached if King Richard III had not begin the demise of the York dynasty by undermining it from within. Richard deposed his nephew, King Edward V, and imprisoned him and his brother in the tower of London, never to be seen again. Henry Tudor would return at the head of an army and defeat Richard III and take the throne.
From the point of Henry's accession Chrimes' story begins to turn dry. We began to lose narrative in favor of analysis. This is a shame because it loses a lot of drama that took place in King Henry VII's reign. Henry VII had to deal various pretenders to the throne. These were pretenders not only in the sense that they just claimed to be King, but they claimed to be other people than who they really were. They would try to pretend they were the imprisoned Earl of Warwick or the late Duke of York. Henry VII would also become a diplomatic mastermind strengthening his position while not allowing his treasury to be wasted in long drawn out conflict.
One of ways this book change my outlook at King Henry's reign was in his marriage to Elizabeth of York. I, like most, had always read deep political motivation in Henry taking the throne before marrying Princess Elizabeth. However Chimes makes the argument that there was really no other way for him to go about it.
"Historians have often sought to make much of the fact that the marriage of Henry and Elizabeth of York, which he had solemnly promised to perform at the meeting in Rennes Cathedral on Christmas day, 1483, did not occur until some four months after Bosworth. Much play has been made of the idea that there was some profound political motive for getting himself crowned and his title declared in parliament before he entered into a matrimonial union with the Yorkist house. But it is difficult to see how he could have possibly proceeded any other way. He was necessarily obliged to ascend to the throne on the merits of his own claims, to which marriage to Elizabeth could add nothing."
He also goes on to explain that Elizabeth was technically still a declared bastard by Parliament. Henry would have to undo this any he could only do that as King. King Henry VII also, as Henry Tudor, was attained person; Chimmes explains not once, but twice, in this book that Henry had to undo that and the only way he could achieve that was by becoming the King.
Chimmes wrote a very good book. It could have been better if it contained a tad bit more narrative a little less analysis. There are also some historical errors in book. They are little things like claiming King Charles II was never Prince of Wales and that King Henry VI was. Nevertheless, it is a very good book.
*Edward III's son and Henry IV's father.
Like the other rebel prince Henry, the Duke of Lancaster, the Earl of Richmond would have to led an army against an evil King Richard in order to claim the crown of England. However there are two key differences in their case. The first is King Henry IV captured Richard II and forced him to abdicate, where Henry VII had killed Richard III in battle. The second is Henry IV was, like his opponent, a grandson of King Edward III whose royalty was unquestionable. Henry VII was very distant in kinship with the crown. While even the sons of Richard, the Duke of York, had a clear claim to royalty, Henry was closer to French royal family than English one. Henry's grandmother was King Henry V's widow and a daughter of King Charles VI of France, but his English royal blood came from his mother's family who were descended from John of Gaunt*, but through a line whose legitimacy was at best questionable.
Chrimes tells the story of this Welsh nobleman who never knew his father because he was born after his father had died. After King Edward IV takes back power from the pathetic King Henry VI, young Henry Tudor goes into exile with his uncle in France. In exile, Henry and his uncle Jasper plot a way to come power, which would not have been reached if King Richard III had not begin the demise of the York dynasty by undermining it from within. Richard deposed his nephew, King Edward V, and imprisoned him and his brother in the tower of London, never to be seen again. Henry Tudor would return at the head of an army and defeat Richard III and take the throne.
From the point of Henry's accession Chrimes' story begins to turn dry. We began to lose narrative in favor of analysis. This is a shame because it loses a lot of drama that took place in King Henry VII's reign. Henry VII had to deal various pretenders to the throne. These were pretenders not only in the sense that they just claimed to be King, but they claimed to be other people than who they really were. They would try to pretend they were the imprisoned Earl of Warwick or the late Duke of York. Henry VII would also become a diplomatic mastermind strengthening his position while not allowing his treasury to be wasted in long drawn out conflict.
One of ways this book change my outlook at King Henry's reign was in his marriage to Elizabeth of York. I, like most, had always read deep political motivation in Henry taking the throne before marrying Princess Elizabeth. However Chimes makes the argument that there was really no other way for him to go about it.
"Historians have often sought to make much of the fact that the marriage of Henry and Elizabeth of York, which he had solemnly promised to perform at the meeting in Rennes Cathedral on Christmas day, 1483, did not occur until some four months after Bosworth. Much play has been made of the idea that there was some profound political motive for getting himself crowned and his title declared in parliament before he entered into a matrimonial union with the Yorkist house. But it is difficult to see how he could have possibly proceeded any other way. He was necessarily obliged to ascend to the throne on the merits of his own claims, to which marriage to Elizabeth could add nothing."
He also goes on to explain that Elizabeth was technically still a declared bastard by Parliament. Henry would have to undo this any he could only do that as King. King Henry VII also, as Henry Tudor, was attained person; Chimmes explains not once, but twice, in this book that Henry had to undo that and the only way he could achieve that was by becoming the King.
Chimmes wrote a very good book. It could have been better if it contained a tad bit more narrative a little less analysis. There are also some historical errors in book. They are little things like claiming King Charles II was never Prince of Wales and that King Henry VI was. Nevertheless, it is a very good book.
*Edward III's son and Henry IV's father.
May 22, 2024
Pretty solid biography on Henry VII. One of the older books in the Yale series, but still felt it held up. I mean Henry VII the person is like an enigma. He kind of falls in to that same trap of English medieval kings where we don’t know a whole lot about the person himself. We can only speculate. Yet fortunately know enough to paint a picture of say his reign or career & at least make an assessment on that and this book does a fine job at that.
Henry VII himself is an interesting king. Someone who the more I think about the more I rate higher. I like his underdog story. I’d also say he doesn’t come off as being a vile person unlike his son Henry VIII. I respect that he tended to work more towards peace within his dominions & didn’t get heavily embroiled in European conflicts. Playing his cards well. He ended the Wars of the Roses & England wouldn’t see another civil war until THE English Civil War. He also sponsored maritime ventures westward indicating he recognized some potential in the New World. I found him generally forgiving of his opponents although ruthless in exterminating the White Rose of York. While I get it, I feel bad for what happened to say the young Earl of Warwick. All in all I’d say that Henry was effective in pursuing his goals.
Aside from giving you the life & reign of Henry VII, the book explores his policies, his government, and his leading men. I know such things might not be of interest to some, but I personally dig it. The book also does it in a nicely organized manner. Like the first few chapters I’d say almost covers the man’s life while parts 2 & 3 goes more into government, law, and so on. With a nice wrap up on Henry in the conclusion.
For anyone looking to learn about Henry VII and his reign, I would highly recommend this. I’m a big fan of the Yale series and this is one of the top books in the lineup I’ve read. It’s not long. The writing could be kind of dry, but doesn’t drag which I’d say is key when it comes to a book that is a little more academic leaning. The author’s say personality doesn’t really come through here, but I wouldn’t say the book is monotonous. Good read.
Henry VII himself is an interesting king. Someone who the more I think about the more I rate higher. I like his underdog story. I’d also say he doesn’t come off as being a vile person unlike his son Henry VIII. I respect that he tended to work more towards peace within his dominions & didn’t get heavily embroiled in European conflicts. Playing his cards well. He ended the Wars of the Roses & England wouldn’t see another civil war until THE English Civil War. He also sponsored maritime ventures westward indicating he recognized some potential in the New World. I found him generally forgiving of his opponents although ruthless in exterminating the White Rose of York. While I get it, I feel bad for what happened to say the young Earl of Warwick. All in all I’d say that Henry was effective in pursuing his goals.
Aside from giving you the life & reign of Henry VII, the book explores his policies, his government, and his leading men. I know such things might not be of interest to some, but I personally dig it. The book also does it in a nicely organized manner. Like the first few chapters I’d say almost covers the man’s life while parts 2 & 3 goes more into government, law, and so on. With a nice wrap up on Henry in the conclusion.
For anyone looking to learn about Henry VII and his reign, I would highly recommend this. I’m a big fan of the Yale series and this is one of the top books in the lineup I’ve read. It’s not long. The writing could be kind of dry, but doesn’t drag which I’d say is key when it comes to a book that is a little more academic leaning. The author’s say personality doesn’t really come through here, but I wouldn’t say the book is monotonous. Good read.
June 12, 2020
Disappointing Biography of a Notable King
This is the fifth book I've read in the Yale English monarchy series, and the most disappointing. It's a tedious read with Henry himself only brought to life in the ultimate chapter. The penultimate chapter, which explores Henry's foreign policy, is its second most revealing chapter, otherwise it's a tedious albeit informative read. It's unfortunate, because Henry deserves better having ended the Wars of the Roses which caused havoc and bloody mayhem, secured the Tudor dynasty, brought peace and prosperity to his realm, ensured his government was continuously solvent, and earned the respect of other mighty European rulers. Despite his tendency to avarice in his later years, Henry was an effective and just ruler who has rightly been considered one of the better and more enlightened of England's monarchs.
This is the fifth book I've read in the Yale English monarchy series, and the most disappointing. It's a tedious read with Henry himself only brought to life in the ultimate chapter. The penultimate chapter, which explores Henry's foreign policy, is its second most revealing chapter, otherwise it's a tedious albeit informative read. It's unfortunate, because Henry deserves better having ended the Wars of the Roses which caused havoc and bloody mayhem, secured the Tudor dynasty, brought peace and prosperity to his realm, ensured his government was continuously solvent, and earned the respect of other mighty European rulers. Despite his tendency to avarice in his later years, Henry was an effective and just ruler who has rightly been considered one of the better and more enlightened of England's monarchs.
February 26, 2020
Its dense, both literally and metaphorically, and not for the casual, newbie reader of Tudor history.
Also, given the amount of research and archaeology done in the decades since the book was written, it should in no way be used as your only reference. For example, Chrimes talks about how we can know "nothing" of how events played out in the Battle of Bosworth, when in fact today we actually have (literally) dug up quite a lot.
Still, its a solid political-biography (thematic rather than strictly linear) giving attention and credit to a monarch so often overshadowed by the more "sexy" monarchs before and after him.
February 26, 2021
In Harry Potter, professor Binns, the ghost, is said to have gotten up for class one day not noticing that he'd left his body behind. He is a history professor.
I'm grateful for the faithful labors of professional historians, and I have no reason to deny that Chrimes is one, but this is legitimately three hundred odd pages of saying 'well, there is no documentary evidence to suggest' and the like. Yeesh.
History professors this is quite serious.
History professors this is the impression that I get from reading your published works.
History professors is this correct?
I'm grateful for the faithful labors of professional historians, and I have no reason to deny that Chrimes is one, but this is legitimately three hundred odd pages of saying 'well, there is no documentary evidence to suggest' and the like. Yeesh.
History professors this is quite serious.
History professors this is the impression that I get from reading your published works.
History professors is this correct?
July 6, 2018
My copy is a 1982 paperback published by Methuen & Co.
October 20, 2020
it's my favorite biography on the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty. His Reign is very interesting if anyone wants to read more about Henry VII click here!
May 7, 2014
This fact-filled, well-researched study is likely to satisfy the serious student and also those who want to get at the facts behind the otherwise glitzy and dramatic imagery the Tudor dynasty. The flamboyant, colorful reigns of Henry VIII, Bloody Mary and Elizabeth I would not have been possible without the relatively dull, grinding and prudent government of the first Tudor King. Winning the crown on the field at Bosworth over Richard III in August 1485, King Henry VII wisely married the eldest daughter of the last important king of the House of York (Edward IV) and thereby united the Lancastrian and Yorkist factions that had been fighting for the throne during the past 30 years in the War of Roses (1455-1485). He then proceeded to carefully and sometimes ruthlessly repress challenges to his authority and amass vast sums of money by rigorous taxation. Neither flamboyant nor warlike, Henry VII was a steady, honorable husband and frugal administrator who provided England with peace and prosperity during his 24 years as king (1485-1509). However, his careful management and anxiety for the stability of his realm took an extreme turn in the final years of his reign and left him with the reputation as a miser. The realm inherited by Henry VIII in 1509 had a full treasury, a firmly established throne and expanding commerce. Henry VII stands as one of the most successful and able of all English monarchs, but is also among the least famous or popular.
This study is filled with detail, an excellent index and bibliography and helpful illustrations. It isn't suitable for casual reading, but outstanding for historical research and verification of factual information.
This study is filled with detail, an excellent index and bibliography and helpful illustrations. It isn't suitable for casual reading, but outstanding for historical research and verification of factual information.
September 17, 2010
This was the first book from the Yale series I tried and I probably won't be buying another. I couldn't finish this book because its really not what I am interested in - it was mostly about government policy and organization.The author claims that there was not enough information on Henry VII to write it as a personal history. Excuse me, if a little bit was found on Eleanor of Aquitaine from the 1100s there certainly must be stuff on Henry VII.
June 3, 2022
Detailed biography but not for the faint of heart. Chrime's book is loaded with details on both Henry's life and the minutiae of Tudor government. If you want a book-turned-miniseries, then this is not for you. But if you want to learn how a relatively poor exile secured his throne against pretenders, became wealthy, and made England into a major player in late 15th and early 16th century western Europe, this is the book you need.
March 24, 2010
Not a great read, but in comparison with the other english monarchs I've read about one of the more admirable statesman - totally lacking in vainglory, he recognized that governing is often about what you don't do.
January 20, 2012
A thematic history of the life and times of Henry VII Tudor. An older work (from the 70s) which provides a wealth of detail about the way of government and court in late Medieval England. Useful and solid, but for fans of the genre only. 3/5
July 4, 2009
great book for A level tudor history
September 21, 2012
Assigned reading in a graduate history course at Wayland Baptist University.
July 16, 2012
This is a well structured and well researched book.
May 14, 2015
Link to my review of this book:
http://flhwnotesandreviews.com/2015/0...
http://flhwnotesandreviews.com/2015/0...
February 1, 2016
For many years this was just about the only text on Henry VII. It's a good solid biography which has stood the test of time, though not necessarily a light read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 19 reviews