How Henry VII seized – and kept – the crown

Henry VII is often remembered as a cold, calculating and penny-pinching monarch whose relentless pursuit of an ever-tightening grip on the throne overshadowed his achievements. But how fair is that reputation? And what can the real history behind this popular perception tell us about the challenges, anxieties and realities of Henry's kingship? Speaking to Emily Briffett, Sean Cunningham reassesses the first Tudor king's critical reputation, exploring the delicate balancing act that defined his reign as he sought to reward loyalty, root out treason and secure a fragile new dynasty. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Curious to find out more about the battle that gave rise to Henry VII? Check out this series of History's Greatest Battles, where Lauren Johnson explores the most momentous clashes of the Wars of the Roses, the 15th-century struggle for the English throne that ushered in the Tudor dynasty: https://bit.ly/4gUGQcR Go to ⁠⁠⁠https://surfshark.com/historyextra⁠⁠⁠ or use code HISTORYEXTRA at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices