Edmund TUDOR, EARL

                   "Henry VII was the founder of the Tudor dynasty, unifying the warringfactions in the Wars of the Roses. Although supported by Lancastrians andYorkists alienated by Richard III's usurpation, Henry VII's first taskwas to secure his position. In 1486 he married Elizabeth of York, eldestdaughter of Edward IV, thus uniting the Houses of York and Lancaster.

Henry's reign (1485-1509) was troubled by revolts, sometimes involvingpretenders (such as Perkin Warbeck and Lambert Simnel) who impersonatedEdward V or his brother. With this in mind, n 1485, Henry formed apersonal bodyguard from his followers known as the 'Yeomen of the Guard'(the oldest military corps in existence today).

Henry strengthened the power of the monarchy by using traditional methodsof government to tighten royal administration and increase revenues(reportedly including a daily examination of accounts).

Royal income rose from an annual average of £52,000 to £142,000 by theend of Henry's reign. Little co-operation between King and Parliament wasrequired; during Henry's reign of 24 years, seven Parliaments sat forsome ten and a half months.

Henry used dynastic royal marriages to establish his dynasty in Englandand help maintain peace. One daughter, Margaret, was married to James IVof Scotland (from whom Mary, Queen of Scots and her son, James VI ofScotland and James I of England, were descended); the other daughtermarried Louis XII of France.

Henry spent money shrewdly and left a full treasury on his death in 1509."

-- Royal Household

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