Product Description

This new biography illuminates the life of Henry VII himself, how he ran his government, how his authority was maintained, and the nature of the country over which he ruled since he first claimed the throne in 1485.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #407660 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Review

'For this reviewer, the real highlights were the discussions of local politics in Kent, the North West and East Anglia, which are skilfully done and eminently persuasive: we know all too little about the rule of the localities under Henry VII, but it is a crucial area, and Cunningham's chapter, which rests on his own research, makes an excellent addition to what can be learned from the works of Christine Carpenter, Tony Pollard, Dominic Luckett, and others.' – Reviews in History: Institute of Historical Research

'Sean Cunningham, who has been studying the reign for a decade and a half, is ideally placed to draw things together in a work shaped by his own extensive researchs. His eagerly-awaited book unquestionably moves things forward... this book has many strengths - it is learned, moderate, and respectful of the work of other historians... Cunningham has given us a superb narrative of Henry VII's reign; he has brought lots of fresh evidence to light; his book is full of thought-provoking insights and ideas; and he has particularly striking things to say about the localities, bonds and recognisances, and the politics of London. His Henry VII is a hefty achievement, and a goldmine for anyone interested in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.' – Reviews in History: Institute of Historical Research

'The publication of a new scholarly biography of Henry VII (the first for nearly twenty-five years) is something of a landmark for students of the period ... Cunningham has provided a new and most welcome synthesis, one from which to conduct further research. As such, it deserves to be read by everyone interested in the period.' – David Grummit, History of Parliament Tust, H-Net book review

From the Back Cover

England’s famous Tudor dynasty was established only through the determined struggles of its first monarch, Henry VII. This original biography examines how Henry VII balanced his own inexperience against his overriding aim to preserve Tudor kingship and establish the roots of a dynasty.

The reign of Henry VII (1485 – 1509) was vitally important in stabilising English monarchy and providing the sound financial and institutional basis for later developments in government. But until now the details of Henry as a person, his court, household and subjects have remained relatively unknown.

Henry VII illuminates the life of the man himself, how he ran his government, and the nature of the country over which he ruled since he first claimed the throne in 1485. Covering important themes in the political history of this period such as kingship and the development of government, response to rebellion, foreign policy and the church, Sean Cunningham analyses how Henry VII redefined institutions and procedures to maintain his power, setting the benchmark for the personal power of later Tudor monarchs.

This highly readable new study uses up-to-date research to pour fresh light on the role of Henry VII’s personality in the establishment and preservation of England’s Tudor regime.

About the Author

Sean Cunningham is an Assistant Keeper of Public Records at the National Archives. He is the author of Richard III: A Royal Enigma (2003).

Customer Reviews

For starters
Yale University Press offers the impressive series "Yale English Monarchs" and anyone looking for a well-resarched, thorough biography of an English king or queen is well advised to check this series. S.B. Chrimes' biography of Henry VII was published in 1972, so it seems about time to take a fresh look at this monarch.
Judging by the chapter "Modern opinions on Henry VII" in Sean Cunningham's book this is being done but I did not get the impression that the author himself has many new worthwhile findings to report.
Like many recent books called "biography" this "Henry VII" does not offer a coherent narrative of the life of the monarch with all facets included; we are given a kind of "backbone" biography in chronological order with the main events in Henry's life which fills about half the book. Then individual aspects are taken out of context and presented as a kind of long essay without much attempt at linking them to the story of Henry's life which was presented at the beginning. We read about finance and taxation, Parliament, the courts, the power of the nobles, council and councillors, Henry VII and the church, to name but a few chapters, and are thus left with many pieces of a big puzzle; it is up to the reader to put all these pieces together in the attempt of making a whole.
Background knowledge of the Wars of the Roses and Henry's predecessors is recommended for a better understanding - otherwise one might for example wonder why Richard III got so little support from his nobles at the battle of Bosworth and why so many of them defected. The book offers only scarce information about Henry's wife and children; particularly his successor, Henry VIII, remains a shadowy figure. Cunningham calls Stanley Chrimes biography of Henry VII "detailed but colourless"; be that as it may, I wouldn't say that Cunningham's own book is all that colourful. To readers who know nothing about Henry VII it provides a first impression of the king and individual aspects of his reign. To all others I would recommend Chrimes.

First Review
I found that the early life of Henry was presented in a way which gave an insight into the motivation and ambition of the man. This is a 'flesh on the bones' biography which makes history interesting and very readable. The author has carried out a huge amount of painstaking research to illuminate how Henry ensured that his monarchy was safeguarded from threats of rebellion (Perkin Warbeck plot etc.) and protected for his heirs. This part of the book should be of great benefit to students of the Tudors who wish to understand how this great dynasty was founded.