Was establishing the tudor dynasty owed as much to luck as to Henry VII's policies?

Question

Was establishing the tudor dynasty owed as much to luck as to Henry VII's policies?

Answer 1

That's an interesting question. I would say yes.

The Tudor dynasty had little to no claims to the throne. Henry's mother, Margaret, was descendant of John of Gaunt (the son of Edward III). However, she came from one of his illigitmate children with his long-time lover, who he later married. Although their children were legitimized, they were later banned from inheriting the Throne.

So from this side, he didn't have much claims. Even assuming Margaret's claims were lawful (which they were not), it was Margaret, not Henry, who were supposed to become Queen.

Henry's father was Edmund Tudor. Edmund was the half-brother of King Edward V, but from mother's side. After the death of her first husband, Queen Margaret (French Princess by birth) married Owen Tudor (it is actually disputed whether they were married at all, or just lived together).

Thus, Henry Tudor had plenty of Royal blood, but no substantial claims.

If so many Yorks and Lancasters weren't killed during the War of Roses, if Richard III didn't kill (or allegedly kill) Edward V's sons, if Henry didn't marry Elizabeth York, if Henry didn't win the Battle of Bosworth, and probably many other 'IFs', the Tudor dynasty would have never had the chance to Reign.

Answer 2

the establishment of any dynasty owes a lot to chance.And a d**n' lot of luck to stay there.....After all you can only influence those who come after you to a limited degree.