Henry VII of England

Henry Tudor, better known as Henry VII, was the first monarch of the illustrious Tudor dynasty of England. He was a cunning and shrewd king who managed to secure his claim to the throne through a combination of luck, wits, and persistent nagging.

Born on January 28, 1457, Henry was exiled to France due to his family’s political situation. There, he learned the art of warfare, diplomacy, and how to convincingly imitate a French accent.

Henry’s claim to the throne was based on his descent from the House of Lancaster, which was at odds with the House of York in a long-standing feud that would come to be known as the Wars of the Roses. Henry’s seizure of the crown at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 was a momentous occasion, and a game-changer for the country.

Once he became king, Henry VII didn’t waste any time getting down to business. He was notoriously thrifty and refused to spend money on frivolous things like wine, women, and song. Instead, he was tight-fisted, commonly referred to as Henry “No Fun” Tudor, and preferred to save his money for rainy days and his beloved collection of miniature horses.

Despite his tight purse-strings, Henry was able to establish a stable monarchy and a strong central government. He formed alliances with other countries and oversaw the beginning of England’s exploration of the New World, though he refused to fund any expedition that didn’t promise a good return on investment.

Henry VII was also known for his penchant for gambling. He loved to play cards and was an expert at cheating, which is how he managed to accumulate so much wealth. However, he never gambled with his country’s fortunes, always taking a cautious and calculated approach to foreign affairs.

Henry VII had a complicated and often tense relationship with his son, the future Henry VIII. The two clashed over everything from war to women, and there were many times when it seemed like they might come to blows. It was said that the only thing the father and son could agree on was their shared love of miniature horses.

Henry VII died on April 21, 1509, leaving behind a legacy that would have lasting effects on England and the world. He was a king who was both feared and respected, a man who knew how to play the game of politics better than anyone else. And who also had a soft spot for miniature horses.