Henry VII’s Crown Day: The Tudor Game Begins
How crowning a king before Parliament was the ultimate power move in 1485
By BananaKing
Introduction: On This Day in History — October 30, 1485
Hold onto your crowns, history buffs! On this chilly October day, Henry Tudor strode into Westminster Abbey and got crowned Henry VII, officially kicking off the Tudor dynasty and ending the brutal Wars of the Roses. But this wasn’t just any royal photo op — oh no, it was a masterstroke of medieval political genius that changed English history forever.
Why Crown Henry VII Before Parliament? The Political Power Play
So, why did Henry get crowned king before Parliament could weigh in? Simple: he wanted to prove he was king because God said so and because he earned it on the battlefield — not because Parliament nodded.
This early coronation was a bold power play. By putting the crown on his head first, Henry shut down rivals and sent a crystal-clear message: this crown is his by divine right, not a political favor. History geeks love this move because it flipped the power dynamic and showed Henry as a master chess player in a risky game of Thrones (literally).
The Coronation: Ceremony, Celebration, and Tudor Red Roses
The day itself was nothing short of epic. Henry was crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in a grand ceremony with crowds lining the streets. Red roses bloomed everywhere—a nod to uniting the feuding houses of York and Lancaster under the new Tudor badge of peace. The mood was festive despite whispers of a mysterious sweating sickness creeping around.
To seal the union, Henry swiftly married Elizabeth of York, blending the feuding bloodlines and giving England a royal love story that doubled as a political alliance.
What History Geeks Can Learn from Henry’s Crown Day
Here’s the juicy bit for history lovers: Henry’s coronation teaches us that kingship isn’t just about bloodlines. It’s about timing, spectacle, and outsmarting your opponents. By being crowned before Parliament convened, Henry claimed his throne with law and divine approval — not just politics.
This clever coronation helped launch the Tudor dynasty and brought an end to decades of civil war, showing how perception and politics have always danced hand in hand. From Tudor times to today, power plays are rarely just about brute force!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why was Henry VII crowned before Parliament met?
A: To show his kingship came from divine right and victory, not parliamentary approval. It was a smart move to block rivals and solidify his claim quickly.
Q: What symbol did Henry VII use to unite the warring factions?
A: The Tudor rose, which combined the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York, symbolizing peace between the two houses.
Q: How soon after the coronation did Henry marry Elizabeth of York?
A: Very soon after—the marriage helped unite the rival houses and strengthen his political legitimacy.
Q: What was the significance of Henry’s coronation for English history?
A: It marked the start of the Tudor dynasty, ended the Wars of the Roses, and set a precedent for royal power being backed by divine right and smart political strategy.