Henry VII, the first Tudor monarch, ascended to the throne in 1485 after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Born into the wealthy and influential Beaufort family, Henry inherited claims to the throne through his mother, a descendant of John of Gaunt. His victory at Bosworth ended the Wars of the Roses and established the Tudor dynasty, which would rule England for over a century. Henry's reign was marked by astute statecraft and financial reforms that laid the foundation for the Tudor era. He married Elizabeth of York, uniting the rival factions of Lancaster and York and securing his claim to the throne. Henry VII's court was a center of intellectual and cultural activity, and his patronage helped foster the flourishing of the English Renaissance.
