 starter activity Describe the picture or source here. At the start of his reign Henry VII personally examined all the accounts of the Treasurer of the Chamber – one of the people responsible for collecting and administering royal income. Can you spot Henry’s mark? Henry’s autograph required several strokes, so this later evolved into a continuous stroke of the pen. Finally, by 1503, Henry would only use his autograph once on every page of receipts. What does this tell us about the administration of royal finances under Henry VII?

Miser, spendthrift or prudent? How should we characterise Henry’s management of finances? TBAT explain the sources of Henry VII’s income To evaluate Henry’s approach to royal finances  Learning objectives  Key words: wardship Council Learned in Law Star Chamber

 Your task Read p.22-3 and complete the chart shown below. Read p.22-3 and complete the chart shown below.  Polydore Vergil, the C16th scholar, wrote that Henry’s subjects, “considered they were suffering not on account of their own sins but on account of the greed of their monarch.” How true is this description of the way Henry managed royal finances?  Polydore Vergil, the C16th scholar, wrote that Henry’s subjects, “considered they were suffering not on account of their own sins but on account of the greed of their monarch.” How true is this description of the way Henry managed royal finances?

Watch this clip about Henry VII’s chapel at Westminster Abbey. Read the extract from Rogerson (SHP), p.73. Under the heading ‘Expenditure’ list some of the things Henry was spending his money on and the reasons why. Click picture

 Your task What are the measures we could use to see if Henry VII was successful in managing royal finances? Come up with 3 – 5 measures we could use to judge whether he was successful. (Compare with those on the next slide) What are the measures we could use to see if Henry VII was successful in managing royal finances? Come up with 3 – 5 measures we could use to judge whether he was successful. (Compare with those on the next slide) Study the historians’ accounts. Decide which criteria he is being judged against and whether he was successful. Study the historians’ accounts. Decide which criteria he is being judged against and whether he was successful.  Which was the most important measure of success for Henry at the start and end of his reign? Were the same or different?  Which was the most important measure of success for Henry at the start and end of his reign? Were the same or different?

Possible success criteria for Henry’s financial policies: 1.He increased political security 2.He created a lasting legacy 3.He balanced his books 4.He increased his annual income 5.He increased the status of the country internationally

So how would you describe Henry’s approach to royal finances? Miser, spendthrift or prudent manager? Perhaps you think enough adjective is more appropriate. Write a judgement on his policies and try to support your views by drawing on the opinions of leading historians.

Miser, spendthrift or prudent? How should we characterise Henry’s management of finances? TBAT explain the sources of Henry VII’s income To evaluate Henry’s approach to royal finances  Learning objectives  Key words: wardship Council Learned in Law Star Chamber