The Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty

Abstract Once the initial round of public ceremonies, marking the stages whereby Henry VII secured his position on the English throne, had been completed, there was a marked decline in the spectacular aspect of kingship. Henry was content now to play the part of a dignified monarch, displaying his regality at recognized ceremonial occasions such as the festival of the Order of the Garter, and displaying his liberality and patronage of court life at the recognized festive season of Christmas. But the king did not again appear as the central figure in a great public spectacle.1 The scene was now set for a second series of ceremonies and public displays, marking the various stages of the consolidation of the Tudor dynasty by the advancement to honours, first of Henry VII’s elder son and heir, Prince Arthur, and then of his second son Henry, in exactly the same manner as that which had signalized the foundation of the Tudor dynasty.