Lambert Simnel's Failure Essay

This essay will focus on reasons for Lambert Simnel's failure to gain the acceptance in England. The logic behind these actions were for the reason that the actual Earl of Warwick was still alive, the planning was mainly done abroad with international interference such as Ireland and Belgium, he failed to gain enough support inside England and Henry Tudor was a reasonably popular King at the time

In English history there have been many pretenders of the heir to the throne. These pretenders according to Arthurson wish to plant the seed of dissent among the everyday people of England and if lucky enough create the belief they are an heir to the English Throne . Two such pretenders were Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck both of whom tried to invade England through Ireland and overthrow King Henry VII. Henry Tudor was the first Tudor on the English throne after defeating King Richard the Third at the Battle of Bosworth. It seemed to mark an end to the War of the Roses and the political instability that centred in England due to the series of the Kings

dispositions. This essay will focus Lambert Simnel rebellion, the first challenge to Henry VII's reign but not the last.

It is not known when the idea to have Lambert impersonate the Earl of Warwick was conceived but it was in the presence of several of the Kings past nobility who had tried and failed to start overthrow him, such people were Viscount Lovell and a Yorkist captain Thomas David .

Lambert was a boy who bore striking resemblance to the sons of Edward IV, the late King Richard III's brother. In league with the Duchess of Burgundy that these two allies along with the Earl of Lincoln and Sir John de la Pole conspired to dethrone Henry VII. Duchess of Burgundy who was the daughter of Edward IV who paid to have Lambert as a boy trained . Lambert was taken to Ireland which was the heart of the Yorkist family. In Ireland the Earl of Kildare proclaimed Simnel as King Edward VI . These actions as previously stated all took place outside of England which is distancing from the English people and has little or no contact with

them.

In Ireland, Simnel immediately gained unquestionable support, which even surprised the Richard Simons the priest from Oxford who brought Simnel to Ireland. This accompanies the belief that those outside of Britain, who gave support to the pretenders bid for there was vast throne but Simnel nor those managing him did naught significant to grow the British peoples support of his bid. Simnel is manipulated by others such as Richard Symonds the priest of his school who brought him to Ireland, and other nobility who pounced on the opportunity to destabilise Henry VII reign after many failed attempts in England. Those who were dissatisfied with Henry VII's reign were of the nobility and as such took their men to war such Francis Viscount Lovell, Sir Thomas Stafford and his brother Sir Humphrey who led an armed uprising . These we main players in the plot involving Simnel but did not represent the general popularity of Henry Tudor.

Ireland was extremely disgruntled with the crown, which lead to their support of Lambert posing as the earl of Warwick , however, assistance from counties was minimal such as from Kinsale and Kildare . Lambert achieved the support of the Irish but failing to achieve support from the middle and lower classes in England was a flaw that the Earl of Kildare failed to appreciate when drawing support. Ireland as a starting point to the plan is remarkable because it was an abscess on the crowns kingdom. However, it was a crafty move as it was thought the Irish lords would favour a country man's son and as such Ireland would be the best starting place . On the 24th of May, Simnel was crowned King Edward in Christ Church cathedral by the Earl of Kildare . The plan was significantly an international affair with only those who had fled England because of Yorkist ties being involved at this point which is noteworthy in Simnel's failure to secure recognition later in England, because the scheme was entirely played out outside of England to begin with.

A major failing of the prominent players in the use of the boy Simnel was they disregarded the fact that Ireland was, albeit in a dangerous place with treacherous conditions, a lot more mild compared that of the condition in England. The people of England were use to violence and fighting and the long drawn out and very gory War of the Roses . This enforces the idea that the English people did not want another civil war to start as it would displace their lives once again this would be a consequence of the battle between Simnel's army and that of the Kings. It is extremely important for this to be kept in mind and the fact that life had become extremely inexpensive as any threat to the crown was immediately thwarted in any regard in these times especially regarding those who betray the King in England in this period .

The plan with Simnel to masquerade as the Earl of Warwick was primary based on gaining the support of disgruntled and dislocated Yorkist in Ireland and some from England , these in return would gather their men and create an army to invade. With international help such as mercenaries from Germany and Thomas Geraldine leading an "Irish contingent" saw very much an external battle. Those involved had other reasons at play such as Yorkists in Ireland wanting the crown back, financial gains for the mercenaries and those who had been dislocated or fled to return home, however none of the above directly help the citizens in England. These reasons lead to the people of England's distrust and suspicions of the pretender . There was also distrust of the Irish people which would lead the classes to be mistrustful of any forces they would encounter.

Once the army had landed in England they were joined by other's dissatisfied with Henry VII's rule and who hadn't reconciled with Henry VII . The rebels were joined by few Yorkist supporters from the area of Middleham in North Yorkshire, however, not to the levels they had estimated . As stated before England was a dangerous place at this time to rebels and perceived traitors to the crown. Many did not join the rebel ranks in fear of retribution if the rebels failed to secure their pretender on the throne. The people had experienced firsthand and saw the events that had happened to previous rebels and did not want to meet the same fate. Therefore the loss of the main battle did not encourage them to join his cause.

In conclusion there are several interwining factors and reasons that affected Simnel's claim as Earl of Warwick, that lead to him not securing recognition for his usurp of the throne. Henry VII was a popular Monarch yet he instilled loyalty through fear of the repercussions of betraying the crown. The fact that the true Earl of Warwick was still alive while the Yorkist flaunted a pretended did not instil confidence in the people of England. Therefore the failure was not of Lambert Simnel doing as he was nothing more than a boy used as a pawn in others schemes and failed to consider the ordinary people of England's opinion on who should be their King.