Henry VII Chronology – What Happened 1485-1486?

William Catesby, who had been Richard III’s Chancellor, was executed.

John Scott, Warden of the Cinque Ports, died.

Celebrations to mark the coronation of King Henry VII began.

Henry Tudor was crowned King Henry VII at Westminster Abbey.

The celebrations to mark Henry VII’s coronation ended. The celebrations were particularly lavish and Henry wanted to outshine the coronation of Richard III held two years earlier.

The first parliament of Henry VII’s reign was held. Due to the large numbers of nobles that had died in the Wars of the Roses only eighteen lords attended. They joined thirteen bishops and seventeen abbots.

Henry repudiated Titulus Regius 1484, which had declared the marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville to be invalid and their children bastards.

A daughter, Catalina was born to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain in the Archbishop’s Palace at Alcala de Henares. Catalina was named after her mother’s grandmother, Catherine of Lancaster who was the daughter of John of Gaunt by his second wife Constanza of Castile.

Thomas Wolsey, aged 15 years, became a Batchelor of Arts.

An Act was passed that gave back to the crown all lands which it had lost in the preceding thirty years of war.

Henry VII aged 28 years married Elizabeth of York, the eldest daughter of King Edward IV, aged 20 years. The union was symbolised by joining the red rose of Lancaster with the white rose of York to form the Tudor Rose.

Elizabeth of York went with Henry on a progress to the north of England. They were accompanied by 200 bowmen. Henry wanted to show the north of England that he was secure in London which he hoped would put off any would be Yorkist pretender to the throne. He made a great show of richness and grandeur which he hoped would inspire awe, respect and the affection of his people.

Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellor of England, died.

William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor, died.

A son, Arthur, was born to Henry VII and Elizabeth of York at Saint Swithun’s Priory, Winchester. He was named after the legendary King Arthur to reinforce the lineage of the new Tudor dynasty. He was created Duke of Cornwall.

Prince Arthur was baptised at Winchester Cathedral by the Bishop of Worcester.

John Morton became Archbishop of Canterbury.