Henry VII’s Harsh and Uncompromising Approach to Governance: Executions and Political Oppression during His Reign

During Henry VII’s reign, his focus on maintaining his grip on power led him to adopt a harsh and uncompromising approach to governance. This was evident in his use of execution as a means of eliminating political opponents or potential threats to his authority. It is estimated that over seventy thousand people were put to death during his rule, and many of these executions were carried out in particularly gruesome or spectacular ways.

One of the most infamous of Henry VII’s executed victims was his own wife, Elizabeth of York, who was implicated in a plot to overthrow her husband. Despite her protests of innocence, Henry saw her as a potential danger to his rule and ordered her execution in 1502. This brutal act set the tone for Henry’s reign and sent a clear message to any potential challengers that disobedience would not be tolerated.

Another high-profile execution was that of the Duke of Buckingham in 1521. Buckingham, a powerful and ambitious nobleman, had grown discontented with Henry’s Tudor dynasty and had plotted a rebellion against the king. When Henry learned of the conspiracy, he had Buckingham arrested and tried for treason. Despite the Duke’s valiant attempts to persuade the king to show mercy, Henry insisted on his execution.

Henry’s paranoia and ruthlessness extended even to members of his own family. His daughter,mary, was imprisoned in the Tower of London for suspected adultery, and his nephew, Charles Brandon, was accused of plotting against the king. Both were ultimately released, but their experiences served as a warning to other members of the royal court.

Henry’s reign was marked by extravagance and excess, as he amassed an impressive collection of palaces and other luxuries. This lifestyle, combined with his increasing weight and deteriorating health, led many to speculate about his mental and physical health. Some commentators suggested that his obsession with power and control had driven him to madness, while others accused him of suffering from a debilitating illness.

In the end, Henry VII’s legacy was defined by his brutality and the extent to which he was prepared to go to maintain his grip on power. While his contributions to the arts and sciences should not be dismissed, his impact on English history was largely negative, as his legacy of conspiracies, executions, and political intrigue set the tone for the reigns of his successors.