As a historian with a keen interest in the Tudor dynasty, I am delighted to delve into the fascinating life of Henry Tudor, who became King Henry VII. Henry Tudor was born on the 28th of January, 1457, and he ascended to the throne of England on the 22nd of August, 1485. To determine his age at the time of his coronation, we simply calculate the time between his birth and the date he became king.

Henry's rise to power was not a straightforward journey. He was the son of Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, and Margaret Beaufort, a noblewoman with a significant claim to the English throne through her lineage. After the death of his father when Henry was just a few months old, his mother managed to secure his future by navigating the treacherous political landscape of the time. Henry spent part of his youth in Wales and later in exile in Brittany, France, due to the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars fought between the rival royal houses of Lancaster and York for control of the English throne.

During his time in exile, Henry was not idle. He was well-educated and prepared himself for the possibility of one day claiming the English crown. His opportunity came when the Yorkist King Richard III's reign was marked by controversy and instability. Henry saw his chance and, with the support of various factions, including those loyal to the Lancastrian cause, he returned to England to challenge Richard for the throne.

The decisive moment came at the Battle of Bosworth Field on the 22nd of August, 1485. In this battle, Henry's forces defeated Richard III's army, leading to Richard's death on the battlefield. This victory marked the end of the Wars of the Roses and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty. With the crown in his possession, Henry was crowned King Henry VII later that year on the 30th of October, 1485, at Westminster Abbey.

Now, to calculate Henry's age at his coronation, we take his birth date of January 28, 1457, and subtract it from the date of his coronation, October 30, 1485. This gives us a total of 28 years and 9 months. Therefore, Henry Tudor was 28 years and 9 months old when he became king.

Henry's reign was marked by significant changes in England. He worked to consolidate power, strengthen the monarchy, and bring stability to a nation that had been ravaged by decades of civil war. His marriage to Elizabeth of York, the daughter of Edward IV, helped to unite the rival houses of Lancaster and York, symbolizing the end of the Wars of the Roses and the beginning of a new era for England.

In conclusion, Henry Tudor's journey to the throne was a testament to his determination, political acumen, and the support of key allies. His age at the time of his coronation, 28 years and 9 months, was a significant milestone in his life and the history of England. As the first monarch of the House of Tudor, Henry VII set the stage for one of the most influential and transformative periods in English history.

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Henry VII (Welsh: Harri Tudur; 28 January 1457 -C 21 April 1509) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, and the first monarch of the House of Tudor.read more >>