History of War Summary 21 - The Union of the Tudor Dynasty and the House of York

After winning the Battle of Bosworth, Henry VII sought to stabilize his reign by pursuing reconciliation with the Yorkists. He achieved a symbolic union of the two royal houses by marrying Elizabeth of York, the daughter of Edward IV. This marriage carried the political significance of ending the long-standing conflict between the Lancasters and the Yorks. Henry VII expanded the central government's authority by restricting the private armies and private wars of the nobility and strengthening the royal finances. However, in 1487, Lambert Simnel claimed to be a figure from the House of York and instigated a rebellion, supported by some Yorkist nobles. Henry VII defeated the rebels at the Battle of Stoke Field. The Battle of Stoke Field is generally considered the last major battle of the Wars of the Roses. Although pretenders to the throne emerged later, they did not lead to large-scale civil wars. Henry VII laid the foundation for the Tudor dynasty by utilizing political marriage and managing noble factions. In this process, the Wars of the Roses transitioned from military conflicts between various families to a political order centered on royal authority.